by Sean Breslin
As Metro began taking feedback from community organizations on its growth recommendations, Metro Councilor Rod Park advised members of the Oregon Association of Nurseries to be on the lookout for bargaining chips.
"One thing I would ask is 'what does ag [agriculture] need out of this?'" Park told the OAN Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16. "If ag is being asked to give up agricultural land, what is it you want in return?"
Park suggested farmers should look into securing long-term water rights and developing solid relationships with local governments in the process.
Wednesday's meeting is one of the first in a blitz of similar events soliciting feedback on Metro chief operating officer Michael Jordan's growth recommendations report, entitled: "Making the Greatest Place: Strategies for a Prosperous and Sustainable Region." During the meeting, regional planning manager John Williams reiterated Jordan's commitment to repairing and utilizing existing services and buildings before investing in new services.
Williams spent much of the meeting walking OAN members through various changes to urban and rural reserves, the areas set aside for city development or blocked off to preserve farmland and open space. Jordan's report specifically left some areas as "undesignated," meaning they wouldn't be allocated for any specific purpose but would allow wiggle room for Metro as growth happens over the next two decades.
But the undesignated areas didn't sit well with Fisher Farms general manager John Coulter. Leaving land undesignated would essentially mean the council isn't finishing its job, he said.
"You're leaving grey areas to the future," Coulter said. "I'm sure as heck I don't want to come back here when I'm 70 years old to do this process again."
Coulter also complained about Metro's upcoming open house in Hillsboro. The meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon, and Coulter said that's not in line with other communities' hearings, which fall in the evenings.
"Where's our hearing? Why don't we have one?" Coulter demanded of Councilman Park, who attributed the awkward time slot to scheduling difficulties.
Dick Joyce of Joyce Farms said he was impressed with Metro's emphasis on repairing and maintaining existing infrastructure, especially since he feels like rural roads haven't received as much attention as city transit.
"A lot of us in rural communities are really fed up with choo choo trains while seeing our roads go to pot," Joyce said, adding that politicking often gets in the way of getting things done for the community.
But it wasn't all complaints. As Williams and Park explained how Metro used existing features like roads or rivers to define new reserve areas, Coulter chimed in: "I like the idea of using natural boundaries."
"I do, too," said Bob Terry, owner of Fisher Farms. "I think it's smart."
Jeff Stone, OAN's director of government affairs, termed the meeting as "informative." For Williams, that's what he was shooting for.
"We're trying to inform the process," Williams said before leaving.