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2002 urban growth boundary decision

On December 5, 2002 the Metro Council approved a major expansion of the urban growth boundary (UGB). On December 12 they wrapped up their decision-making process after two years of work to estimate how much new land was needed for housing and jobs.

On July 7, 2003, the State Land Conservation and Development Commission issued an order acknowledging, or approving, most of the Metro Council’s decision.

The decision brought 18,638 acres into the boundary, including 2,851 acres dedicated to employment purposes. The decision also includes new policies to protect existing neighborhoods, provide additional land for jobs and to improve local commercial centers and main streets. Prior to their decision, the Council listened to hours of testimony from residents and local governments affected by the decision.

On September 8, 2005 the Court of Appeals entered its ruling on four consolidated appeals of LCDC's approval of Metro's December 5, 2002 UGB expansion (West Linn et al. v. LCDC). In most respects, the Court upheld LCDC and Metro decisions. The Court found that Metro's analysis of need for land and its methodology for the expansion was sound. Of the 18,638 acres Metro added to the UGB, the Court upheld the inclusion of 17,808 acres or, 96 percent.

The Court sent two areas – Area 94, west of Portland's Forest Park, and Area 37, west of West Linn, back to LCDC and Metro for further review. The Court ruled that other areas challenged had been explained and justified. The Court ruled that Metro had not adequately explained why it included Areas 37 and 94 rather than other areas not included.

Related Internet links

• Land Conservation and Development Commission's decision

  (http://www.lcd.state.or.us/urban/MetroUGB.html)