The Dalles City Council heard from a large number of downtown business owners concerned about the impact of Mid-Columbia Community Action’s conversion of the former Oregon Motor Motel into a transitional housing facility.  Many who spoke voiced concerns that the facility would not be appropriate so close to the downtown area.  But City officials pointed out that House Bill 3261, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021, leaves them very little discretion to review the shelter under local land use laws.  Community Development Director Joshua Chandler says there are only four items they can actually review:  location within an urban growth boundary, that it’s not designated for heavy industrial use, has adequate transportation access, and whether it is within a flood plain.  Chandler added that under the state law, if this kind of project meets those four standards, the City has to approve it.