With a decision about the Portland region's urban growth boundary expected in November, the Metro Council plans several public hearings this fall, beginning Thursday, Sept. 24 in Southeast Portland's Jade District.
Also at that meeting, the Council is expected to advance a Powell-Division bus rapid transit project and approve several million dollars in local planning grants.
Growth management recommendation: no urban growth boundary expansion in 2015
On Sept. 9, agreeing with the recommendations of Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett, the local leaders who sit on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee voted 11-4 to recommend that the Metro Council not expand the urban growth boundary in 2015.
MPAC also agreed with a recommendation from Bennett that Metro should take another look at the boundary in three years, rather than the six required under Oregon law.
They further directed Metro to pursue strategies to provide more housing choices and jobs inside the existing growth boundary; to finalize urban and rural reserves in Clackamas and Multnomah counties; and to work with local partners to improve the growth management process in the future.
The public will have three opportunities this fall to share their thoughts with the Metro Council in person.
- Thursday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m. (At Harrison Park School, 2225 SE 87th Ave., Portland)
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. (At Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland)
- Thursday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. (At Metro Regional Center)
Metro Council President Tom Hughes will also discuss the growth management decision at a City Club of Portland Friday Forum on Sept. 25.
The Metro Council is expected to make a final decision on Nov. 12.
Meeting in a dynamic neighborhood
The Sept. 24 hearing coincides with a special Metro Council meeting in the community around Southeast 82nd and Division, the focus of a lot of recent planning and investment activity.
The council is expected to approve a Transit Action Plan moving the Powell-Division Transit and Development Project into a new phase of project development. As soon as 2020, the Powell-Division project could connect the region's first bus rapid transit line between downtown Portland and Mount Hood Community College in Gresham – passing right through the 82nd and Division intersection.
Additionally, the council is expected to allocate $4.7 million in community planning and development grants to help cities and counties around the region develop concept and action plans for their communities. The grants are funded by an excise tax on most large construction projects in the region.
Learn more about the Sept. 24 Metro Council meeting