Urban and Rural Reserves

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Since 2008, Clackamas County has been working with neighboring counties and Portland’s regional government to identify land suitable for future urban development as well as land suitable for long-term protection of farms, forests and natural areas. This regional process for identifying urban and rural reserves is designed to meet these needs for the Portland Metropolitan Area for the next 40 to 50 years. While many aspects of this cooperative planning process were dictated by state rules, Clackamas County went to extraordinary lengths to ensure public knowledge of and involvement in the process. The Board of County Commissioners established a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) to identify areas suitable for urban and rural reserves in Clackamas County. The 21 PAC members were carefully chosen to represent residents, businesses, rural and urban areas. County commissioners and staff also attended community meeting and events to talk with residents about the process, what it would mean and how they could be involved. The County participated as a full partner in three rounds of regional public open houses and also held its own public hearing and meetings. As this process nears its conclusion, Clackamas County residents, property owners, business people, farmers, municipalities and citizen organizations are well-informed and understanding of this unique and complex regional planning process.