Measure 37 Projects Up In Air After Passage Of Measure 49

With the passage of Oregon's Measure 49, some development projects already approved under the now-overturned Measure 37 may be in limbo as the courts determine whether they can be completed.

1 minute read

November 11, 2007, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"Developers who have already obtained permits to build on property affected by voter approval of Measure 49 changes in land use law may have to turn to the courts to decide whether they have gotten far enough to keep building."

"Determining whether rights have been vested will mostly be up to the courts, according to state officials and various groups involved in the property rights battle."

"'If people come to us and say, ‘Give us your stamp saying we're vested,'' they will end up going to their county government or the courts to get an answer because the state does not make that determination, said Michael Morrissey, the Measure 37 division manager for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development."

"Morrissey said only about 500 property owners of the 7,500 who have filed Measure 37 claims have qualified for the necessary permits so far, and there was no way to determine how many of those 500 had moved forward enough to be considered 'vested,' but he suspected it was a relatively small number."

Friday, November 9, 2007 in Associated Press via Worldlink

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Close-up of green and white sign for 1 hour EV charging station outdoors with tall palm trees in background against blue sky.

Judge Reverses Federal Funding Freeze for EV Infrastructure

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 billion program aimed at improving charging infrastructure.

June 25 - News From the States

Wide street in Santa Monica, California with cars parked on either side and tall palm trees lining the street on a sunny day.

Santa Monica May Raise Parking Permit Fees

The city says the changes would help better manage curb space and support its sustainability goals.

June 25 - Westside Current

Brick building with high-rise under construction with yellow crane in background in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Housing Bond Created Nearly 5,000 Units, But Affordability Remains Out of Reach

Despite better-than-expected results from multiple local housing bonds, housing costs and homelessness remain top of mind for many Oregonians.

June 25 - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.