On Sept. 27, 2018, the Metro Council passed Resolution No. 18-4914, signaling its intent to expand the urban growth boundary in four urban reserve locations as proposed by Beaverton, Hillsboro, King City and Wilsonville. The Council also directed staff to draft conditions of approval that will help to ensure a mix of housing gets built in the expansion areas. The Council will make its formal growth management decision in mid-December, with an initial public hearing on December 6, 2018.
COO recommendation
Beginning in late June 2018, the Metro Council and its advisory committees began to examine the population and jobs forecast for greater Portland to inform whether the urban growth boundary needed to expand. Metro asked cities to prepare information that would help determine where expansion should happen if it’s needed. The Metro Council and its advisory committees each reviewed and discussed the four proposals and the findings from the Urban Growth Report. The Chief Operating Officer presented her recommendation to the Metro Council on September 4 to help inform the 2018 growth management decision.
City expansion proposal background
Metro asked the cities of the region to submit proposals on where and how their communities would expand into new areas. It takes more than land to encourage new housing, jobs and communities. Generally, cities were asked to show:
- the housing needs of people in the region, county and city have been considered
- development of the proposed expansion area is feasible and supported by a viable plan to pay for needed pipes, parks, roads and sidewalks
- the city has reduced barriers to mixed-use, walkable development in their downtowns and main streets
- the city has implemented best practices for preserving and increasing the supply and diversity of affordable housing in its existing urban areas
- the city has taken actions to advance other key outcomes, such as social equity and meaningful engagement of communities of color in community planning processes.
Four cities submitted proposals to expand greater Portland’s urban footprint by 2,181 acres with hopes for developing about 9,200 homes in these areas. All expansion proposals are in urban reserves.
| |
Name of urban reserve |
Gross acres |
Buildable acres |
Homes planned |
|---|
| Beaverton |
Cooper Mountain |
1,242 |
600 |
3,760 |
| Hillsboro |
Witch Hazel Village South |
150 |
75 |
850 |
| King City |
Beef Bend South |
528 |
400 |
3,300 |
| Wilsonville |
Advance Road (Frog Pond) |
271 |
192 |
1,325
|