Remember the big picture. This phrase became indelibly etched on my mind by my father when I began learning the craft of being an attorney. Just before the last real estate recession, many people who were trying to make a…
April 9, 2013
Spring Brings Renewal
April 3, 2013
Over the course of the past month, there has been a flood of data indicating that housing is making a strong recovery. Furthermore, according to many economists housing is currently one of the strong sectors of the national economy. According…
Modern Homes Tour Follow-up
March 27, 2013
A couple of weeks ago I posted here about a new style of infill house that would be showcased on theModern Homes tour. As promised, I went on the tour and visited all but three of the houses. I wanted to give a brief…
Washington Supreme Court Says Annexed Lands Can Remain
March 22, 2013
A unanimous court decision reversed an earlier ruling of the Washington Court of Appeals Division II today, holding that lands annexed to the cities of Ridgefield and Camas would remain annexed. In 2007, the Clark County Board of County Commissioners adopted new…
Getting Things Shovel Ready. Oregon House Bill 2284 Provides Hope.
March 7, 2013
Years ago during former Governor Kulongoski’s first run for Governor, I was asked to provide a list to his campaign of land use items that I saw as extremely important to creating jobs in Oregon. I identified three: First, the…
Plat Extension Bill Moves Unanimously Out of Washington House
March 6, 2013
On Monday, February 4, 2013, in a 98-0 vote, the Washington House passed House Bill 1074. As discussed here last week on the Dirt Law Blog, House Bill 1074 would extend plats one more year for up to a maximum of ten years. …
Clark County Extends Land Use Approvals
March 5, 2013
On Tuesday, February 26, 2013, the Clark County Board of Commissioners extended land use approvals for preliminary land division, planned unit developments, site plans, conditional use permits, master plans, variances, and other land use approvals on those developments approved between…
Can I Get A Mulligan?
March 1, 2013
A very fascinating case just announced on Valentine’s Day by Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals denied “a mulligan” to a group of property owners seeking to keep open a golf course located adjacent to their homes. In Riverview…
Washington Legislative Update Post Bill Cut-Off
February 28, 2013
I’d like to give a brief status update on where some important land use bills stand following the cut-off date to make it out of committee this past Friday. Impact Fees House Bill 1652 and companion Senate Bill 5644 made it out of…
A New Style of Infill House?
February 27, 2013
This is a pretty cool house with an accessory dwelling unit ("ADU") that just recently completed construction in Portland. A while ago I posted about some pioneering things going on in small lot development and infill in Los Angeles by…
