City makes way for duplexes in single-family residential zones

By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 17th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – The city of Hermiston has changed its zoning as required by state law just in time. The new law orders all municipalities of medium-sized cities to allow duplexes in all residential zones.

“We did put some sideboards on it as best we could to make sure that we manage it,” Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said. “The city of Hermiston did not initiate this change.”

The city knew the change was coming, and Moran said it proceeded with caution.

“We put this change off as long as we could to make sure that we got the best possible code language as we could,” he said. “We had the planning commission work this issue for over the past year.” The law requires the changes be made by July 1.