Proposed urban and rural reserves

About the area

This area extends from the Stafford area - bordered by West Linn, Lake Oswego and Tualatin to the north - down to the southern border of Canby. It includes areas east of Wilsonville and south of the Charbonneau neighborhood of Wilsonville including a portion of the French Prairie area. Pete's Mountain, Peach Cove and Canemah or Willamette Narrows are familiar place names in this area.

The Tualatin River runs through the northern third of the Stafford/Canby area from west to east. The Willamette River runs from west to east through the southern part of the area and also forms a part of the eastern edge. The Pudding and Molalla rivers enter the Willamette in the southern portion of this area. Wilson Creek and these four rivers are identified natural features that define the area.

The Stafford/Canby area is widely varied in its physical features. The West Linn side of the Stafford area is fairly steep, descending to gentler slopes south of Lake Oswego and graduating to gently rolling terrain on either side of Interstate 205. South of the freeway and east of Pete's Mountain the topography is flat to gently rolling and bisected by steep creek canyons. Although the southern portion of the Stafford/Canby area is characterized by gently rolling terrain, it is steeply cut by several streams. While all the rivers have floodplains, the Pudding River floodplain is particularly extensive. Pete's Mountain is a large area with steep topography.

There are areas of conflicted, important and foundation agricultural land in the Stafford/Canby area. The northern third of the area is generally classified as conflicted agricultural land. The middle third, surrounding Wilsonville and north of the Willamette River, is generally classified as important agricultural land and the southern third south of the Willamette including French Prairie and areas around Canby is identified as foundation agricultural land. The Oregon Department of Forestry identified mixed forest and agriculture areas on Pete's Mountain. Parcels in the Stafford/Canby area are varied in size, ranging from small rural residential subdivisions, especially in the northern one third of the area, to large commercial agricultural operations located primarily in the south. The wide range of agricultural products grown here includes hay and pastureland, livestock, annual grasses, grass seed, nursery stock, wine, Christmas trees, horses, timber and nursery stock.

Proposed reserves

Areas proposed for either urban or rural designation by Metro and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties

4A options

Northeast of the Tualatin River, the Stafford Basin comprises approximately 3,170 acres north of I-205, bordering Tualatin, Lake Oswego and West Linn. The entire area is identified as conflicted agricultural land. Portions of the area contain rolling and steep topography and riparian corridors including Wilson Creek that would limit urbanization. Nonetheless, significant portions of the area can be urbanized. Due to these challenges, the area is being considered for designation as urban reserve with the understanding that portions of the area cannot be urbanized or cannot be urbanized efficiently. Another option being considered is to designate only portions of the Stafford Basin as urban reserve (4B urban and 4C urban described below), leaving less suitable areas either undesignated or designating them rural reserve. All or part of the area north of the Tualatin River is being considered for designation as urban reserve to accommodate development that otherwise might have to be accommodated on foundation or important agricultural land in other parts of the region.

4B urban

This 162-acre area adjacent to the recently urbanized Tanner Basin neighborhood of West Linn is proposed urban reserve. The area is relatively developable and easy to provide with urban services. Classified as conflicted agricultural land, the urbanization of the area would not impact commercial agriculture.

4C urban

The southern portion of the Stafford Basin, approximately 1,362 acres, straddles Interstate 205 and Southwest Borland Road and contains the Stafford interchange on Interstate 205. It lies south of the Tualatin River and contains several schools. The area provides one of the few opportunities in this part of the region for employment with access to the regional transportation system. There is also potential for a town center. Urbanization of this conflicted agricultural land would have little effect on commercial agriculture.

4D options

This 2,262-acre area southeast of Tualatin and I-205 along Southwest Stafford Road extends south to Southwest Homesteader Road. It contains rolling hills, rural residences and scattered small farms. The area is moderately suitable for urbanization but rolling topography and small parcels make it a challenging place to provide public facilities and services. The area is being considered for designation as urban reserve to offset development on foundation or important farmland in other parts of the region. Given the challenges, the area or portions of it may be left undesignated. It is identified as conflicted agricultural land.

4E urban

This 845-acre area lies east of Interstate 5, on both sides of Southwest Norwood Road, north of Frobase Road and west of 65th. It is characterized by gently rolling land except for the Suam Creek riparian area that drains to the north and a steeper drop off in the southeast corner. There are a few larger parcels with farm uses to the south and smaller parcels with some farm and residential uses along Southwest Norwood and Norse Hall roads in the center. The northern section includes some farm and mixed residential uses between the tributaries of Suam Creek. The City of Tualatin has indicated its willingness to serve this area with an urban level of development. It is identified as conflicted agricultural land.

4F options

This 273-acre area lies west of Southwest 65th Avenue and south of Southwest Frobase Road and includes Southwest Knollwood and Sunridge courts. The area is characterized by rolling farm fields with rural residences along Southwest 65th Avenue. It is suitable for residential development with possible employment along Southwest Elligsen Road. The area is being considered for designation as urban reserve to offset development on foundation or important agricultural land in other parts of the region. Given the challenges of urbanization, the area or portions of it may be left undesignated. It is identified as conflicted agricultural land.

4G urban

This 585-acre area is located north and south of Southwest Elligsen Road. The portion to the north is west of 4F options and east of Interstate 5. The area is characterized by rolling forested hills and farm fields, two water reservoirs and the Pheasant Hills mobile home park. The area is suitable for residential development with possible employment areas along Southwest Elligsen Road.

The area to the south is bordered on the east by Southwest Stafford Road, and on the south and west by the Wilsonville urban growth boundary. The area is composed of 11 parcels in seven different ownerships and is characterized by low scale agricultural activities and rural residences on relatively large lots. Boeckman Creek flows north to south through the middle of the area and a Bonneville Power Administration power line runs southeast to northwest through the southern portion of the area. This area is adjacent to the Frog Pond area that was brought into the urban growth boundary in 2002 but has yet to be planned or developed. It is one of several areas identified by the City of Wilsonville as most appropriate for extension of urban services. Even though this gently rolling area is divided by the stream and power line, the remaining portions of the area are suitable for a range of uses. The area is important agricultural land.

4H urban

This 346-acre area to the east of Southwest Stafford Road is bisected by Southwest Advance Road. These two roads provide easy access to Wilsonville and the schools along Southwest Stafford Road. Gentle topography, proximity to urban services in Wilsonville and relatively large parcels make this area highly suitable for a range of urban uses. The area is important agricultural land.

4I rural

The area extending three miles from the urban growth boundary and outside the 4G urban, 4H urban and the options described in 4D is proposed for rural reserve designation. The area north of the Willamette River is conflicted or important agricultural land. An area on the northeastern slope of Pete's Mountain, north of Southwest Schaeffer Road is proposed undesignated as it does not meet the factors for either designation.

4J rural

The French Prairie area, south of the Willamette River and west of Canby, is some of the most productive agricultural land in the Willamette Valley. It is generally proposed to be designated as rural reserves. Urbanization of this area would be a challenge because the Willamette River creates a barrier to urban services, especially additional transportation capacity. Limited areas to the east, northeast and northwest of Canby would remain undesignated to provide the city an opportunity to expand into this area over the long term. Rural areas south, west and north of Canby are highly suitable for designation as rural reserves. Because the city is not considering expanding in these directions, these lands are proposed for designation as rural reserves.

The City of Canby, like the cities of Sandy, Estacada, Molalla and North Plans, sets its own urban growth boundaries based on a more restrictive state administrative rule.