Resounding Victory for Local Control: Sherwood Speaks

Written By Tim Rosener

The results of the January 13, 2026, special election are in, and the message from our community couldn't be clearer. With an overwhelming mandate, the people of Sherwood have stood up to shape the future of our city.

The Mandate: Understanding the Measures

In this election, our community was asked to weigh in on two critical questions regarding how we grow:

  • Measure 34-347 (94.23% YES): Enshrining Citizen Involvement. This measure enshrines the right of our residents to participate in land-use decisions. It guarantees that no major development, specifically Type III or higher, can move forward without at least one neighborhood meeting and one public hearing before the City Council. It also dramatically expands transparency by requiring mailed notices to property owners within 1,000 feet of a project site, a tenfold increase from the previous 100-foot requirement.

  • Measure 34-348 (82.71% YES): Affirming Annexation Authority. This measure affirms Sherwood’s exclusive authority to review, approve, or deny annexation requests. It clarifies local control over the procedures and processes of bringing land into the city, ensuring that these foundational decisions remain a matter of local governance rather than being dictated by administrative mandates from Salem.

Together, these results send a resounding signal. We want local control.

It’s About Shared Community Values, Not "NIMBYism"

Let’s be incredibly clear about what this vote means and what it doesn’t. This is not about being anti-growth. It is not about "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBYism). Sherwood is ready and willing to do our part to solve the regional housing crisis.

What this vote represents is our community’s determination to ensure that growth is consistent with our shared community values. We are the "boots on the ground." We are the ones who live on these streets, send our children to these schools, and know the unique rhythm of our neighborhoods. We are better positioned than any bureaucrat in Salem to understand how to integrate new housing while maintaining the quality of life that makes Sherwood special.

The Vision: Proof of Our Commitment

Sherwood West Map

The Sherwood West Concept Plan is the proof that we are not "NIMBYs." We have worked hand-in-hand with our community to develop a plan for nearly 1,300 acres that welcomes growth responsibly. This collaborative blueprint brings diverse housing options, thousands of new jobs, and a vibrant hospitality and tourism sector to Sherwood West, all while carefully preserving over 500 acres of natural resource land. We aren't saying "no" to growth. We are saying "yes" to growth that works for our community and our environment.

For example, we are specifically targeting  adding more "missing middle" housing, specifically cottage clusters, townhomes, and plexes, to create paths to homeownership for first-time buyers and those wanting to age in place.

Cities Are the Solution, Not the Problem

As your Mayor, I will be working in Salem to bring common sense to these challenges. In a recent interview on OPB, the Governor stated that cities are "the problem" when it comes to housing. I fundamentally disagree. 

Cities are not the problem. Cities are the solution. We are the ones who understand how our communities work, what will succeed on the ground, and how to solve for these challenges in a way that lasts. Sherwood is taking a stand in this debate. We are proving exactly how to solve the housing crisis in Oregon by leading with community intelligence rather than reacting to top-down pressure.

The message to the Capitol is simple. We need tools, not rules. We need  partnership, not mandates. We are not going to "take" growth. We are going to lead it. We need the flexibility to implement our community-led vision so that we can contribute to the housing solution in a way that actually works for Sherwood and is complimentary to the region. .

A Community United

To everyone who cast a ballot, thank you. You have affirmed that Sherwood is a place where we value strategic, well-planned growth over haphazard development. You have shown that we are a community that leads with vision and refuses to be sidelined in the conversation about our own future.

We will take this local mandate to the steps of the Capitol. We will continue to advocate for the Sherwood West plan and for the principle that local voices matter most.

Tim Rosener
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Protecting Our Vision: Why Local Control Matters for Sherwood