The Hood River City Planning Commission is allowing more time for written testimony after a hearing on changing the zoning for Morrison Park at the corner of Wasco and 20th Streets from Open Space/Public Facilities to Urban High Density Residential to allow for construction of affordable housing at the site. Following a well-attended hearing this week, the panel decided to close oral testimony and take written submissions until March 1, with rebuttal allowed from March 3 to March 10 and planning commission deliberations set for April 17. Opponents of the zone change have varied reasons, from believing there is a need to preserve open space to advocating for low-income housing to be move evenly spread through the City. The City and Mid-Columbia Housing Authority both cited the need for more affordable housing in the community, and with the land already in city ownership it would reduce the cost of that kind of development.