Meet your new Metro Charter – same as your old Metro Charter.
A provision to prohibit Metro from increasing density in single-family neighborhoods passed in a big way Tuesday, with more than three-quarters of voters wanting to keep the current system in place.
As of Thursday morning, the measure had 76 percent support region-wide, with 466,062 votes in support of retaining the charter provision.
After a similar measure from 2002, the Metro Council was required to put Measure 26-160 on the ballot in 2014, and ask voters whether to keep the 12-year-old provision. Voters will again be asked about the topic in 2030.
The 2002 measure spelled out that cities have responsibility for setting zoning in most areas. Under the Metro Charter, Metro would focus its zoning efforts around business districts, main streets and transit lines.
In areas identified as single-family neighborhoods, though, only city councils and county commissions could increase density. The charter measure drew increased scrutiny as redevelopment and infill surged in Portland – even though Metro, by law, lacked the authority to prompt density increases in many of the neighborhoods experiencing redevelopment and infill.
Tuesday's results indicate the region overwhelmingly wants to keep it that way.