Margaret Mansfield owns two parcels of property near Canby. She lives on the farm she and her husband bought in 1968, which still supports a hazelnut orchard. Another five-acre parcel she owns also is planted in hazelnuts.

At 87, she is thinking about selling both parcels and moving in with one of her grown children.

And while she’d love to see all the land continue to grow hazelnuts, she knows it’s unlikely that someone would be willing to take on such a small parcel if there’s no opportunity to build a home on it.

Unfortunately, under Measure 37, no one who buys Margaret's property would be able to build on the lot, even though her claim has been approved. That’s an oversight that Measure 49 would correct.

Measure 49 is intended to help owners of small parcels use their property in the way they’d intended — to help their children or their grandchildren or to support themselves during their retirement years.

Margaret supports Measure 49 because it’s the practical solution. It balances the realities of land ownership today with protection of valuable farm and forest land and Oregon’s delicate natural resources.