Public Opposition to Increased Housing Density in Eugene, Oregon How Opposition to Multifamily Housing Impacts the Built Environment

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Date

2018

Authors

Thompson, Seth

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon

Abstract

Land use planning plays an integral role within housing and the built environment. As cities and neighborhoods grow, planners are often challenged by opponents of increased housing density. Opponents of housing density in Eugene, Oregon are most often community members within surrounding neighborhoods. This project finds that Eugene community members believe multifamily housing results in higher traffic levels, loss of on-street parking, decreased public safety, and lower property values. This project analyzed approximately 238 public comments submitted for four proposed multifamily developments in Eugene. According to public comments, the majority of individuals who oppose multifamily housing reside in single-family homes. As a result, proposed multifamily housing developments located nearby single-family homes generally met high opposition from surrounding residents. The purpose of my research project is to assess whether public opposition imposes any measurable impact on the final built outcome of multifamily developments. Research conducted for this project does not indicate that NIMBYism has a significant impact on the actual development of multifamily housing. Further, this project finds that public opposition in the form of submitted comments has no impact on the final built outcome of multifamily developments.

Description

57 pages

Keywords

public opposition to multifamily housing, NIMBY, affordable housing

Citation