Commissioners were wrapping up their second day of hearings on the expansion, which the Metro Council approved last October and is undergoing standard state review. They're scheduled to resume their deliberations on the expansion on June 14.

On Thursday in Salem, state regulators will start their look at Metro's 2011 urban growth boundary expansion and its 2010 capacity ordinance. Before we delve too deep into land use law geekery, here's a quick refresher on what's happening and why.

Metro used a new approach to its most recent review of the urban growth boundary. But did the regional government's planners leave out the information state regulators are looking for? The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission will decide next month.

State regulators are recommending the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission reject parts of Metro's 2011 urban growth boundary expansion because, they say, the supporting documentation for the expansion is insufficient.

In the suit, Katherine and David Blumenkron and Springville Investors, LLC, also say that Multnomah County, the region and the state "did not apply the land use statutes… in the manner intended by the Oregon State Legislature" when designating urban reserves.

In its ruling, the court says political realities were a valid reason for Metro approving the Land Use Final Order. But it also said Metro overstretched its authority by approving the project beyond the urban growth boundary.

Review of the industrial replenishment concept show its benefits would be limited, Metro staff says. Meanwhile, work continues on creating an inventory of the Portland region's available large employment sites.

This project started with some seemingly simple questions – what are the region's cities' main priorities for investment? What do they need money for, and how do they plan on spending it? What's the anticipated return? What barriers do they have to success?

In the last two months, Metro News interviewed eight mayors and one county chair about politics and community goals. This week, we're taking a deeper look at what's on the minds of the region's leaders.

Tensions between cities, counties and Metro have been building for years, and many see MPAC as ineffective in its ability to advise the Metro Council. About 20 mayors gathered for the first meeting of the group.