An affordable housing pilot program in Pendleton is halfway to approval after the House voted xx in favor of the legislation.

House Bill 2464 would allow the expansion of the city’s urban growth boundary (UGB) for an affordable housing pilot program of up to 50 acres.

The program had previously approved housing projects under development in Bend and Redmond.

Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, sponsored the legislation, which she submitted at the request of the City of Pendleton.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. If approved by the Senate, it would go to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. She has supported the earlier projects in Bend and Redmond.

The bill was supported by local officials, state lawmakers for the Pendleton area, and others.

Rep. Samantha Bayer of the Oregon Farm Bureau, said the bureau was vigilant in monitoring attempts to develop farmland, but said the project in this case was a good one.

“We believe allowing the city of Pendleton to join the pilot program will have a minimal impact on productive agricultural lands and is the most responsible method for opening up new opportunities for affordable housing,” Bayer said.

Newberg resident David Wall submitted testimony opposing housing encroaching on farmland.

“Allowing Pendleton and or any other city in Oregon to increase their UGB predicated on the arguments of a ‘bigger affordable housing experiment’ is foolish and will yield the same results,” Wall said “People can always find somewhere else they can afford to live with dignity and grace. Once farm land is gone, it cannot, nor will it ever be, replaced.