Urban/Rural reserves public meetings
Public meetings seek community input on long-range land use planning
Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington counties join Metro and residents to help select Urban, Rural Reserves
Residents of Multnomah County and the entire Portland metropolitan area are invited to join a conversation about how our region will take shape at open houses scheduled in July.
Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Washington County and Metro are leading a regional effort to designate urban and rural reserves to accommodate future growth and protect valuable farmland, forest land and natural areas that define the character of this region.
Urban and rural reserves will provide greater predictability for landowners, farmers and communities about where the urban growth boundary may expand over the next 40 to 50 years, while protecting important farmland and natural areas from urbanization for that same period of time.
A Regional Reserves Steering Committee has been established, made up of city officials, representatives from agricultural, business, environmental and conservation communities, and social and economic equity organizations, and a commissioner from each county and a Metro councilor. On June 9 the committee approved an initial broad study area—approximately five miles outside the Metro urban growth boundary—as a starting place for considering areas to be designated as reserves.
At the open houses, residents can learn more about the project and the reserves designation process, weigh in on whether the study areas are appropriate, and share their values and ideas on the development of reserves. Open houses will be held at the following times and locations:
· Monday, July 7, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St., Gresham
· Thursday, July 10, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Tualatin High School Commons, 22300 SW Boones Ferry Rd., Tualatin
· Saturday, July 12, 9:00 a.m. to noon - Metro Regional Center Lobby, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
· Wednesday, July 16, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Clackamas County Public Services Building, Rooms 369 A & B, 2051 Kaen Rd., Oregon City
More information about the open houses and the reserves planning process is available at:
· Metro - www.oregonmetro.gov/reserves
· Clackamas County - www.clackamas.us/transportation/planning/reserves.htm
· Multnomah County – www2.co.multnomah.or.us/reserves
· Washington County - www.co.washington.or.us/reserves/
For more information:
Clackamas County: Ellen Rogalin, 503-353-4274,
Multnomah County: Shawn Cunningham, 503-988-4369
Washington County: Mike Dahlstrom, 503-846-8101
Metro: Karen Kane, 503-797-1942
Posted on July 1, 2008
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