A neighborhood association has accused Portland City Hall of breaking state law and city code by appointing too many real estate professionals to the Planning and Sustainability Commission.

The letter, sent Nov. 17 on behalf of the Multnomah Neighborhood Association in Southwest Portland, says five commission members work "principally" in real estate—two more than state law allows.

"We are requesting that the City act immediately to correct the membership violations by replacing at least three of the five members […] with citizens who can broadly represent the interests of the general public," writes land-use consultant Eben Fodor.

The complaint hinges on whether three of the members—two lawyers and an architect—work in real estate as their main job.

City officials say that those three of the members don't count as real estate professionals for purposes of the commission.