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9/5/2018 Member News

Metro COO releases growth recommendations for UGB expansion


Metro COO Martha Bennett released her recommendations to Metro Council regarding Hillsboro, Beaverton, King City and Wilsonville’s Urban Growth Boundary expansion proposals. Her report is a positive step in the UGB process, suggesting that Metro Council should approve all four areas for expansion. Not only is Bennett’s recommendation a positive step in the UGB process, but her 25 page report is reflective of the HBA’s advocacy efforts.

The COO report outlines why the cities should expand and provides detail on the considerations leading to Bennett’s recommendations. It highlights the regions need for more flexibility with housing types such as apartments, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The report addresses system development charges (SDCs), noting that cities should employ lower SDCs for smaller homes and ADUs to lower the cost of building new homes.

Bennett explains that the four cities have demonstrated that they are able build homes in their respective expansion areas, and recommends some additional conditions for any UGB expansion. These conditions include:

• Setting an expectation that cities will allow and encourage the integration of different housing types throughout the expansion areas

• Set an expectation that the cities will explore ways to implement variable SDCs to reduce the cost of building smaller homes

• Require that any further homeowners associations in the expansion areas not regulate ADUs. Any such regulation should occur only though city zoning that complies with state law

• Set an expectation that the four cities will explore ways to encourage the construction of ADUs in the expansion areas

• Set an expectation that the four cities will involve Metro Planning and Development staff in their work to complete comprehensive planning for expansion areas

• Set an expectation that the four cities will seek to engage diverse communities, interests and expertise in their work to complete comprehensive planning for the expansion areas

Additionally, Bennett addresses why she believes each city should expand, highlighting the different strengths and positive possibilities of the new developments. She also provides additional considerations specific to each individual city’s proposal and expansion plans.

The COO recommendations will be presented to the Metro Portland Advisory Committee (MPAC), who will then provide their recommendations to Metro Council. Following these recommendations and public hearings, the council will make a decision on the growth boundary expansions in December. 

More information along with Martha Bennett’s full recommendation report can be found here: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/metro-coo-recommends-council-approve-four-ugb-expansions-2018