The Metro Council's initiative to secure 245,000 acres of urban and rural reserves for future use was supported by the majority of attendants during an open house and hearing Jan. 14 at the Metro Regional Center.
Nearly 100 people attended the open house, and the Metro Council heard testimony from 55 individuals whose opinions will help shape the direction of the proposal. The session lasted more than five hours and included shared concern over the protection of rural reserves for agriculture, wildlife and parks, as well as future development of urban reserves for industrial needs.
During the open house, Metro provided an introductory video and a review of the proposed reserves areas via an interactive Google Earth map. Participants also visited tables with maps, fact sheets and descriptions of the options. Following the open house, questions and comments were directed to staff from Metro and representatives from Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
Several comments addressed the need to protect rural reserves for future agricultural use by farmers. President of the Portland Farmers Market Board Rosemarie Cordello explained that 28,000 customers visit five Portland-area markets per week.
"Adequate land supply must be maintained to support local agriculture and food supplies, especially since agriculture is a viable industry competing in a global marketplace," Cordello said. "We need to look at preserving farming for future generations."
Richard Kidd, former mayor of Forest Grove, supported the projected Core 4 map as it brought multiple issues and concerns together. Kidd expressed that there must be sufficient industrial areas to support future sites for development.
George Sauder, who once served on Multnomah County's citizen advisory committee, believed designation of Area 9 in northwest Multnomah county as a rural reserve would adequately protect forest and natural habitat resources in that area.
Testimony by Cheryl Neal, who lives in that area, said that a rural designation would help to protect western bluebirds, which are facing an imminent threat. Neal, an avid birdwatcher, said blue birds were not as common in the area as they used to be.
Callie Goldfield, a Beaverton resident, also suggested that Area 9 should remain rural. "You're deciding my future," she said. "I want my future to include the amazing beauty I have been fortunate to live with."
Linda Peters, former Washington Co. chair, encouraged Metro to use a map presented on Jan. 11 by a coalition of agriculture/natural resources groups to look at a regional picture of "smart growth" that concentrates growth in existing urban areas and provides protection for rural resources.
Ed Bartholomey, a representative from South Cooper Mountain land owners, said he appreciated the consideration of urban reserves near there because it made sense for the area to be planned together rather than gradually distributed.
Suggestions for a reassessment of the proposed map were delivered by Beverly Bookin on behalf of the Coalition for a Prosperous Region. Bookin urged Metro to consider allocating undesignated land to balance natural resources and support economic growth. "Urban reserves have gradually been whittled down," Bookin said. "Having a cushion of undesignated land is necessary for flexibility in the next 50 years."
Metro is providing hearings in all three counties to share and collect public opinion. Hearings to date have engaged business owners, farmers and urban residents. Nearly 60 people attended and 25 testified at the Jan. 11 event in Gresham. Three open houses and two hearings remain in the coming week in Oregon City, Sherwood and Wilsonville.