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Metro COO Martha Bennett’s recommendations for approval of the four Urban Growth Boundary expansion proposals were recently presented to the Metro Policy Advisory Council (MPAC). MPAC unanimously voted to support the COO recommendations to approve all four proposals, another positive step in the UGB expansion process. Metro will hold two public hearings on the requests and recommendations in September, followed by two hearings in December where they will ultimately vote on the proposals. During a recent meeting, the council members addressed Bennett’s recommendations positively. The council highlighted the importance of this year’s new approach to the boundary expansion request process. This cycle, cities submitted requests that detailed where and how they would develop into expansion areas. Along with the approval of the expansion proposals, the COO recommendations suggested discussing specific development related issues in the review process. These suggestions include increasing affordable housing units and a more diverse housing mix, as well as reducing infrastructure and utility charges on potential developments. Metro Council will hold two more public hearings on September 20th and 27th and will then vote to approve the requests in December.