Residents of Pete's Mountain locked horns Tuesday on whether their neighborhood should be designated as an urban reserve or a rural reserve, with each side arguing over soil quality and water access.
Some residents said the soil could not support crops in any sustainable way, and that there was plenty of water to support more residential development. They urged the Metro Council not to designate Pete's Mountain as a rural reserve.
"Making the decision to lock up this land with rural reserves for 50 years would be unreasonable," said Ryan O'Brian, a planning consultant.
But others, like Judy Messner, said the land is steep and unsuitable for urban development. The farmland there should be protected as a rural reserve, she said.
"If we don't preserve it, this rural area will not survive the next 50 years," Messner said.
Pete's Mountain was a major topic of conversation during Metro Council's public hearing in Oregon City Tuesday night, with about 15 people making their feelings about the area known. The council heard from nearly 40 people on Metro chief operating officer Michael Jordan's report, "Making the Greatest Place: Strategies for a sustainable and prosperous region." The report encourages channeling most growth into the existing urban growth boundary, investing in repairing and maintaining existing buildings and infrastructure, and holding Metro and its local government partners accountable for the goals they put in place for themselves and the region.
Several people also expressed deep skepticism about designating the area between Sherwood and Wilsonville as an urban reserve, saying the land likely was included to build another connection between Interstate 5 and Highway 99W. Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp said a southern connector between the two roads would only put more commuter burden on Interstate 5, which would hurt the interstate's ability to transport freight.
"The southern arterial brings the perfect storm of risks," said Michael Bowers, a community developer with the City of Wilsonville. He cited challenging topography that could balloon the potential costs of the project, and said the route would double truck traffic in downtown Sherwood. And Michael Feves came armed with 3,800 signatures on a petition opposing the arterial.
Metro Council President David Bragdon said he was under the impression that the proposed route between Interstate 5 and Highway 99W would mainly facilitate traffic within the area, not commuter traffic from Yamhill County.
"What I'm hearing tonight is that may not be an accurate representation," Bragdon said.
The Council also heard testimony of those who supported the idea of "undesignated lands," an idea that has come under criticism in the past. Residents of the Stafford hamlet were particularly supportive of an undesignated distinction, saying it would allow them to determine their own growth pattern, rather than being locked into a rural lifestyle or forced to rapidly grow into an urban setting.
But Elizabeth Graser-Lindsey said leaving lands undesignated could allow developers to "leap-frog" past the reserves process and increase sprawl.
Other topics that received particular attention were:
- The Beavercreek area. John Rosebrook said the land was unsuitable for farming but should remain undesignated to allow residents to determine what to do with their lands. But Jan McMahon said part-time farmers contribute to the local economy and provide local produce that city dwellers purchase.
- Troutdale. Fairview Mayor Mike Weatherby urged the Metro Council to approve Troutdale's request for 750 acres to be added to the urban growth boundary. He said the addition would be used for residential development for employees of FedEx's new distribution facility in Troutdale.
- Global warming. Mike Gamba told the Metro Council that global warming is the most important challenge facing the region, and that every decision the council makes must take the environment into consideration. He urged them to focus on moving the region away from a "car-centric" society toward bicycle transportation and an electric-powered public transit system.
Comments received at the public hearing and others submitted between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 will inform decisions by the Metro Council and other public bodies later this year and in 2010 on transportation policies and investments, land supply, urban and rural reserves and public investments within existing town and regional centers, corridors and employment areas.
- by Sean Breslin, Metro staff