The Oregon House of Representatives moved to provide greater certainty for future land-use planning by approving a deal that would free up land for potential development, protect valuable farmland and give landowners, developers, and farmers the certainty they need to plan, invest, and thrive.
House Bill 4078, which passed the House unanimously, would establish new urban and rural reserves and expand the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in Washington County, as well as direct the regional planning agency Metro to review the UGB every 6 years.
Rep. Brian Clem (D – Salem) took a lead role in bringing together developers, mayors, county commissioners, conservationists, farmers and others to strike a balance between Oregon’s respected land use system and the need to help businesses grow and create jobs.
The bill aims to clear away uncertainty triggered in part by a Feb. 20 court decision to throw out a 50-year growth plan adopted in 2010 by Metro and Portland-area counties. “We had a choice as Oregonians – division or unity,” Rep. Clem said. “I’m proud to say we chose unity.”
HB 4078 has won support from groups representing a wide variety of interests including 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Homebuilders Association, Oregon Association of Realtors, Oregonians In Action, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Nursery Association, Metro Council, Save Helvetia, the Washington County Commission Chair, and the mayors of impacted cities.
“This bill gives us the balance between farm jobs, small business jobs, and industrial jobs that represents Washington County’s values,” said Rep. Ben Unger (D – Hillsboro), who was also a leader in brokering the deal.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
