WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Residents of a Washington County neighborhood are speaking out as multiple acres of Douglas fir trees near their homes are being cut down for a new housing development.
Tanya Macedo purchased a home across the street from the new development two years ago and had enjoyed the shade and the wildlife that the trees provided.
“Unfortunately, we recently had a developer purchase the property behind us; it’s about 3.5 acres of old-growth Douglas fir forest, which is now being chopped down,” said Macedo.
KGW crews could hear the sound of a chainsaw and see trees coming down as they spoke with neighbors on Wednesday morning. The area is being cleared to make way for a middle-housing development, a recent push by the state of Oregon to make more duplexes, townhomes and cottages available for low- and middle-income residents. The goal is to address the state’s housing crisis.
“We understand with the housing crisis, we won’t be able to keep every single tree but would love to see us adopt at least some type of regulation to keep some of them,” added Macedo.
Laurel Fischer bought a home in the neighborhood over one decade ago when the area was zoned for five homes per acre. That has changed since "middle housing" legislation passed the Oregon House in 2019.
“When we bought this home, we bought it with that in mind, knowing there was a large lot across the street from home and that it could potentially be developed, with the thought that it would be five dwellings on this acre, not 50,” explained Fischer.
Neighbors are also upset that Washington County hasn’t done more to save these trees. The area is labeled as a "significant natural resource" on a draft updated map on the county’s website, but the map hasn’t been approved, so there’s currently no protection for the trees.
“Hearing the sound is every time so heartbreaking, knowing that we can’t replace these trees. The creatures that call these home have to either find other homes or will perish. It truly makes me feel sick,” said Fischer.
Washington County has a draft ordinance proposal to recognize "Significant Natural Resources." County commissioners will meet on Oct. 1 to hear the ordinance and could vote on whether to approve or decline the ordinance at that meeting.