PORTLAND — Oregon's Land Conservation and Development commissioners heard lengthy testimony Thursday morning about whether the Stafford area should be included in the region's proposed urban reserves.
The rolling hills and dells of Stafford, segmented by Interstate 205, were included in Clackamas County's urban reserves over the objections of some area residents, as well as the cities surrounding the Stafford Basin.
Jeff Condit, a Portland attorney representing the cities of Tualatin and West Linn, said the expense of urbanizing Stafford was a reason for the commission to force Clackamas County and Metro to take another look at Stafford.
The arguments presented so far "demonstrate the whole area will be in gridlock, and there will be no money to fix it within the next 25 years," Condit said. He pointed to the Regional Transportation Plan in support of his prediction.
Condit also cited the challenges of developing Damascus — the 2002 urban growth boundary expansion that prompted the urban reserves designation process — as a parallel for Stafford's future.
"It's extremely difficult to urbanize these kinds of areas, including Damascus," he said. "There's steep slopes, they're parceled, and the citizens of the area are politically opposed. That would describe Stafford to a 'T.'
"For all the reasons staff may have concluded Damascus may have not been the right thing to do, those same reasons apply to Stafford," he said.
Dan Chandler, an attorney for Clackamas County, said the choice to include Stafford in the urban reserve was politically difficult, but right for the county.
"The cities of West Linn, Tualatin and Lake Oswego consistently expressed opposition," Chandler said. "On balance, however, the designation as an urban reserve is the most appropriate decision."
He said the designation of Stafford as an urban reserve kept the county from having to bring areas of top-tier "foundation" farmland in as candidates for future urbanization.
As for the cost issue, Chandler said the timeframe expressed in the Regional Transportation Plan is only half of the proposed lifespan of reserves.
"The fact that the RTP says things are going to be tough in 25 years doesn't mean we shouldn't put this area in the mix of areas to consider for a 50 year timeframe," Chandler said.
He also said the cities that stand in opposition to the Stafford urban designation have a track record of developing areas like Stafford.
"The notion that it can't be served doesn't make any sense," Chandler said. "Neighboring cities have all developed similar property — similar slopes, similar sensitive areas to protect."