Committee for Community Involvement - April 21, 2026

Agenda

Minutes

Held via Zoom

CCI Attendees: Karen Bjorklund (Chair), Pat Erdenberger, Marrion Kaufman, Bill Merchant, Brent Parries (Vice-Chair), Danielle Weber

Absent: Amy Nichols, Stephanie Carkin

Attending PGA Staff: Tonia Holowetzki, Maria Magallon, Ed Nieto 
Guest Presenters: Laura Combs (Metro), Gerald Murphy (Planning Commission), Tammy Stevens (Planning Commission), Becca Tabor (DTD)
Public Attendees: Sparkle Anderson (Far West CPO), Marti Bowne (Hoodland CPO), Pamela Burback (Boring CPO), Janet Davis (Bull Run CPO), Daniel Dyre-Greensite (Oak Grove Community Council), Grover Jeffrey B. (Jennings Lodge CPO), Marie Kennedy (Hoodland CPO), Linda Neumann (Jennings Lodge CPO), Elane Newland (Far West CPO), Lance Ward (Redland-Viola-Fischers Mill CPO), Meg Wiesheier (Eagle Creek Barton CPO), Mitch Williams (Hoodland CPO), Randall Yamada (Stafford-Tualatin Valley CPO)

1. Welcome, Introductions

Chair Bjorklund welcomed public attendees, guest presenters, CCI members, and PGA staff.

2. CCI Two-Way Conversation Forum for Planning Commission Members to talk with Representatives of CPOs/Hamlets

Anticipated topics may include (but are not limited to):

• The purpose of the Clackamas Planning Commission, what they do and why, challenges and rewards, the importance and value of CPOs, and testimony preparation.

Tammy and Gerald explained that the Planning Commission is a nine-person advisory body composed of volunteers, with about a 50-50 split between urban and rural areas for living and working. They noted that the committee provides recommendations, and final decisions rest with the Board of County Commissioners.

Tammy described two types of hearings: legislative, which involve new rules, laws, and regulations, and quasi-judicial, which address property changes, land, and land use applications.  The discussion also clarified what the Planning Commission does not handle, such as code enforcement, property taxes, and certain land-use decisions that go to hearing officers.

Gerald and Tammy emphasized the need for CPOs to provide input on land-use applications and other planning matters, to collaborate with the Board of County Commissioners, and to offer factual, polite testimony.

Tammy explained that the Planning Commission meets regularly and offers opportunities for public comment, where residents can discuss concerns or seek advice from the Planning Director and staff. Gerald recommended that those giving testimony prepare by studying the county's website page, which offers tips for presenting effective testimony.

• How Planning Commission, CCI, and CPO/Hamlet volunteers can work together for the future of unincorporated Clackamas County

Gerald explained that the Planning Department is working to update and clarify zoning development ordinances (ZDOs) to make them more objective and clearer, with input from CPOs and the public. Tammy added that the process involves redlining current ordinances for review, followed by public input through Planning Commission workshops and hearings before reaching the Board of County Commissioners.

Bill raised concerns about creating objective standards in zoning ordinances to address livability issues, particularly regarding permitted uses and their impact on neighboring properties. Tammy suggested bringing this topic to the Planning Commission for discussion and potential solutions, while Gerald emphasized the need for a clear definition of livability standards within zoning development ordinances.

Karen announced that Planning Director Jennifer Hughes and Karen Buehrig from Planning and Zoning agreed to discuss creating clear, objective standards for livability goals at the July CCI meeting, where they will work with CPO representatives to develop examples of how to translate livability goals into objective standards.

Marti Bowne reported that the Hoodland CPO land use committee identified significant ambiguity in certain Zoning Ordinance sections that could trigger disputes over interpretation, particularly regarding undefined terms such as "maximum extent practicable" and "natural vegetation." Tammy acknowledged the issue and confirmed that ZDO 290 focuses on clear and objective standards for housing, development, and environmentally sensitive areas.

3. Public Comment on other topics

There were no public comments.

4. Department of Transportation & Development (DTD) Presentation (at request of DTD) on the engagement plan for Metro's Future Vision project (to create a regional 50-year vision), and the need to expand input beyond the residents inside the Metro area

Becca Tabor, a Development Policy Associate on the Regional Policy Coordination Team within DTD, said that while Metro's Future Vision project is not a regulatory document or plan per se, it will inform new policies and can influence future projects, such as the Regional Framework Plan and the 2040 Growth Concept. Becca also said that community input from Clackamas County is a very important part of the process, informing the vision for the next half-century.

Laura Combs, an associate planner at Metro, presented an overview of the Future Vision Project, which aims to update the region's 50-year vision. The project is led by a Future Vision Commission and includes extensive public engagement, with a current focus on collecting regional values through a survey and conversation kits. The project team is collaborating with the Institute for the Future on trend reports and foresight training and has established a Future Vision Youth Committee to engage young people in the process. The next steps include public events over the summer and early fall, with the final vision draft expected to be completed by April or May 2027.

Karen noted that many of the people representing CPOs are outside the urban growth boundary. Bill noted the large rural population in Clackamas County and suggested including a county representative on the Metro CCI. Karen and Maria suggested using the county CPO email list as a communication channel to reach unincorporated residents, with Maria confirming that the project would be presented to the Leaders for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (LEDIC) the following week.

Ed and Maria agreed to distribute information about the Metro Future Vision survey and engagement to all CPOs via the Monthly CPO Quick Notes newsletter and email lists.

5. Previous Meeting Minutes

• March minutes

Vice-chair Parries motioned to approve the March 2026 CCI meeting minutes, and Bill Merchant seconded the motion. The committee unanimously approved the minutes.

• New business for future agendas?

Chair Bjorklund informed members that PGA's Donna Hockey will present the results of the recent CCI bylaws audit at the May CCI meeting, which could assist with CCI's conversation about possibly changing the scope of CCI.

Karen also noted that DTD staff members will present at the May CCI meeting about changes to State Goal 1 and their implications. 

Tonia reported that the county had not immediately started advertising the CCI vacancy created by Gordon Slatford's departure, in case the CCI decides to change its scope as part of its bylaws discussion, which might affect the CCI membership requirements. Marrion asked what would happen if someone knew of the CCI opening and wanted to apply.  Tonia responded that she would check with County Counsel regarding protocol and processes for a CCI position vacancy.

Tonia also confirmed with County Administrator Schmidt that the Community Leaders meeting is on the County Administration's calendar for July 2026. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Next meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6–8 p.m. via Zoom.