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Urban and Rural Reserves in Clackamas County

Planning for 40–50 Years of Regional Growth

The population of the Portland metropolitan region is expected to grow by one million people by the year 2030.

That’s a lot of people – all of whom will need homes, jobs, stores to shop in, roads to travel on and outdoor spaces to enjoy.  To help make sure we will be able to accommodate this growth while maintaining a high quality of life for those already here, the region (which includes Metro and the three metropolitan counties – Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington) is going through a process to identify where urban growth should and should not take place in the next 40-50 years. 

UGB History mapThe process of identifying Urban Reserves and Rural Reserves is taking place during 2008 and 2009.  Its purpose is to protect rural and natural areas while determining which areas may be well suited for population and employment growth to provide for a healthy economy and livable communities.

This Reserves Process meets the parameters set out in Senate Bill 1011, approved by the State Legislature in 2007. 

Purpose of Reserves Process

  • Shape what this region will look like over the next 40-50 years. 
  • Increase:
    • Long-term protection of farmland and natural areas;
    • Predictability about the location of future growth;
    • Efficiencies in services and infrastructure, and
    • Region-wide support for regional growth decisions.
  • Provide information to help determine the next expansion of the UGB, set for 2010.

Committees

Public Involvement with Urban and Rural Reserves

Maps

Definitions

  • Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)– a line intended to separate land to be developed at urban densities from rural land.  The map to the right shows the history of the UGB in the Portland metropolitan area.
  • Urban Reserve --an area outside the current UGB suitable for accommodating population and job growth for the next 40 to 50 years.
  • Rural Reserve -- an area outside the current UGB to be preserved for agricultural and forestry uses, and natural resources protection for the next 40 to 50 years.
  • Study Area -- Land around the current Urban Growth Boundary that is being reviewed in light of the urban and rural reserves factors to be designated as either “urban reserve,” “rural reserve” or remain undesignated. The Regional Reserves Steering Committee approved the Reserves Draft Study Area in September 2008.
  • Candidate Reserves – Areas within the Study Area to be studied further to determine whether they will be recommended for final urban or rural reserve designation.

Links to Regional Partners and Processes

Key Reports and Other Resources