In a detailed objection to the proposed demolition of McMinnville’s historic Methodist Church, JW Millegan argues that the city is being presented with a false choice between affordable housing and historic preservation. He supports redevelopment of the block, more downtown housing, and reduced parking requirements, but contends that the historic 1941 brick church should be preserved while the newer addition is removed. His core argument is that Oregon’s new housing law, SB 1537, gives the city more flexibility to approve a dense, financially viable project without destroying the site’s most historically significant structure. In his view, demolishing the historic core when a preservation-based alternative exists would not only undermine McMinnville’s preservation goals, but also set a damaging precedent for future redevelopment decisions.