Allowing rural ADUs could open up thousands of acres for housing
State policy prohibits rural landowners from building accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on their property. That leaves huge chunks of the state off-limits for housing construction, even if property owners are amenable to the idea. Lawmakers in Salem are considering legislation this session that could clear that up. Passage would open up thousands of potential spaces for ADUs in Deschutes County, like Cathy and Kurt Springman’s acreage near Redmond. “We’ve certainly got the space and the interest in building something. It’s just, we’re holding off on building an ADU until we can get it permitted,” Kurt Springman said. “But conceptually the idea is very attractive to us.” (Zack Demars/The Bend Bulletin)
City of Bend releases audit on vacation rentals
Bend recently completed an audit of vacation rentals in the city to crack down on those operating illegally. The audit investigated about 300 vacation rentals for potentially being out of compliance with city code. In total, code enforcement found that 61 had violated city code. Vacation rentals that use services like Airbnb and Vrbo have to be licensed with Bend to operate legally there. The city launched the audit after residents raised concerns about the potential impact of short-term rentals on the housing market. Bend licensing program manager Lorelei Williams said the number of units breaking the rules was lower than what city officials anticipated. Some units were using vacation rental platforms to advertise for long-term tenants; city code requires properties renting 29 days or fewer must obtain a license from the city. Nearly all of the out-of-compliance rentals have removed their advertisements, switched to long-term renting, or gotten the proper permits from the city, Williams said. Bend City Council is expected to decide soon if it wants to audit vacation rentals more often than once a year. (Joni Auden Land/OPB)
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story overstated the number of vacation rentals found to be out of compliance with City of Bend regulations. OPB regrets the error.
Faith-based health group to take over struggling hospital in The Dalles
Adventist Health will take over the struggling Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles. The Oregon Health Authority approved the acquisition Thursday, after finding the deal necessary to keep the Mid Columbia Medical Center operating and able to pay its debts. Earlier this year, the hospital in The Dalles stopped offering chemotherapy in its cancer clinic due to staffing shortages. Adventist has promised to invest $100 million into the struggling health system over the next 10 years. Adventist is faith-based. Some community members opposed the deal because it means there will no longer be a secular hospital in the Mid-Columbia region. The Oregon Health Authority has imposed some conditions on the deal. For example, Adventist must continue to provide referrals for patients seeking physician aid in dying, reproductive care and gender-affirming care. (Amelia Templeton/OPB)
Hydrogen power plant planned for Eastern Washington
A hydrogen-fueled power plant is on the drawing board in Eastern Washington. Obsidian Renewables, based in Lake Oswego, plans to use surplus electricity from wind, solar and hydropower to separate hydrogen atoms out of water molecules. That resulting hydrogen gas would then be used to generate power under an agreement with Grant County Public Utility District in Ephrata, Washington. Because hydrogen gas can be stored for days or weeks, Obsidian’s $3 billion hydrogen hub would make energy available at times when demand is high and other renewable energy sources are less available, the company said in public documents. (Matthew Weaver/Capital Press)
Related: Oregon churns out renewable energy, but is short on batteries to store it 🔋
Willamette River Water Trail gets new signage
The nationally recognized Willamette River Water Trail just got some informational upgrades: mile maker signs. The water trail runs 187 miles from south of Eugene north to the Willamette River’s confluence with the Columbia. River mile signs have been placed roughly every 10 miles. They identify who owns the property surrounding the river at each marker point, and also point out nearby put-in and take-out access points. Markers start with mile 180 at Eugene’s Delta Ponds and end at mile 20 in Lake Oswego’s Foothills Park. (Tiffany Eckert/KLCC)
