Today, the Metro Council officially took action, accepting a document called the Urban Growth Report. The report informs an upcoming conversation about whether or not there is enough room inside our area’s urban growth boundary to accommodate the expected number of people who will live here in 20 years.
Many claims being made about the report are incorrect. In developing the report, Metro relied on independent experts and city and county staff, which forecasts population growth and how the plans adopted by our 25 city councils and three county commissions are likely to play out from now until 2035. The technical findings were reviewed by independent experts and its findings are consistent with real world experience.
While a handful of people apparently misunderstand the report’s purpose or seek to undermine it, please remember the report informs the policy decisions we need to make as a region; it doesn’t make them.
It all boils down to one question:
How do we welcome about 400,000 new residents, 260,000 new jobs and 200,000 new homes, and also preserve our incredible quality of life?
We are really good at arguing about precisely where the urban growth boundary should be. Unfortunately, our well-practiced debate does little to encourage development where it's appropriate and affordable.
Metro's goal is to work with local communities to make sure that wherever new growth happens, it results in vibrant communities, sustained economic competitiveness and prosperity, safe and reliable transportation choices, reductions in carbon pollution, protection for clean water and habitat and equity for everyone.
But it’s not just Metro. We all have work to do.
We have to find ways to support the investments that make inner Portland so attractive without overwhelming existing neighborhoods. We have to find a way to build the roads, pipes and parks that make development possible in places like South Hillsboro. We need to plan for growth in communities that want it, so we avoid the conflicts that are paralyzing Damascus.
This is hard work, but collectively I believe we are up for it.
In the coming months we look forward to hearing from local cities and counties with a plan to help accommodate some of the new people who will live in our region. We want to hear how growth will be paid for, both now and in the future. We also want to hear your thoughts about where growth should go and what it should look like.
The Metro Council’s acceptance of the Urban Growth Report marks the beginning of a new phase of our ongoing conversation. Where do we grow next? By this time next year, we'll be closer to an answer.
Learn more about the 2015 growth management decision