Court shoots down McMinnville UGB expansion proposal
The Oregon Court of Appeals late last week sided against recent Land Conservation and Development Commission approval of the expansion, and called into question the inclusion of nearly 800 acres of...
View ArticleLine is drawn in fight over metro-area growth
Metro Council is considering seven possible expansion for the urban growth boundary of the Portland-metro area – a total of 3,457 acres – to meet needs housing and employment needs for the next 20...
View ArticleWashington County land reserves map recommended for approval
The Department of Land Conservation and Development has given a vote of confidence to Washington County and its retooled map of where it can expand its urban growth boundary in the coming 50 years.
View ArticleMetro sets target for housing needs
A “jumping off point” was established for discussions about how much land for housing should be included in an urban growth boundary expansion, if Metro Council were to green-light one.
View ArticleLCDC approves Washington County reserves map
After almost a year of waiting, Washington County finally has a state-approved growth plan outline for the next 50 years.
View ArticleSouthern Oregon counties seek legislative land-use fix
Three southern Oregon counties are hoping to change the way their forest and agricultural lands are classified.
View ArticleDamascus voters make big decision in how to craft city’s comprehensive plan
Damascus is required by state law to adopt a comprehensive plan, but voters in the city have not yet supported one. A new law, Measure 3-389, could make that process even more difficult, as the law...
View ArticleODOT withholds $1M from Damascus city planners
Barely a week after Damascus voters passed a controversial land use initiative, a ripple effect extended to the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT is putting on hold development of the city’s...
View ArticleUrban sprawl cramping farmlands in Clark County
Farmers in Clark County are being squeezed into smaller spaces as planning efforts continue to support urban sprawl.
View ArticleFarmland’s future is at heart of appeal
Last week, 1000 Friends of Oregon announced that it would challenge the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development’s recent approval of Metro’s designated urban and rural reserves in...
View ArticleUPDATED: Developer defends NE Fremont project
Wally Remmers adds his voice to the ongoing story of neighborhood opposition to the developer's Beaumont Village project under construction on Northeast Fremont Street.
View ArticleFake land-use notice suggests ball pit for hole in the ground
This fake, albeit well done, “Notice of Proposed Land Use Action,” was spotted last week hanging on a fence outside the former Vitamilk Dairy site, a three-acre parcel in Seattle’s Green Lake area that...
View ArticleOregon land-use board says ‘no’ to paintball in Canby
Lila Gottman is fed up, and I don't blame her. For years, Lila and Curtis Gottman have fought with Clackamas County over a series of changing rules that govern a paintball park they run on their...
View ArticleLCDC set to address Damascus’ lack of comprehensive plan
Oregon's Land Conservation and Development Commission is taking the city of Damascus to task for failing to create a state-mandated comprehensive plan.
View ArticleState law enforcement looms for Damascus
Oregon state officials can't do much to enforce comprehensive planning laws for cities. There isn't even much in the way of a precedent.
View ArticleOP-ED: Working out differences in the Central Eastside
Welcome back to my serial musings on all things development in the Central Eastside, South Waterfront and in between (e.g., the Tilikum Crossing). Since the last iteration of this column, work has...
View ArticleBLOG: Walkability is the key to an urban quality of life
"Walkability” has become the shorthand term for a range of features that help define the quality of a place.
View ArticlePublic invited into process to tweak mixed-use zoning
Portland planners next week will host two public workshops to gather input on preliminary concepts for new mixed-use zoning designations.
View ArticleGoin’ to Houston: What’s walkability?
The lack of zoning in Houston may have played a role in the incredible lack of attention to the walking environment.
View ArticleA transportation quandary
Central Eastside stakeholders are wary of city staffers’ proposed changes to their district.
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