Metro Councilors voted unanimously Thursday to approve changes to the region's transportation plan, setting the stage for road, trail and bike projects from Troutdale to Tualatin to Hillsboro.

Under the criteria, to be used as part of evaluating the Climate Smart Communities scenarios, Metro staffers will look at how proposals for curbing tailpipe emissions would affect things like the economy, public health and social equity.

The 1 million square foot center, which is owned and managed by Metro, is one of 20 convention centers of its size with certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Citing a need for an organization focused on regional infrastructure development – specifically for projects that support job creation – leaders of the Community Investment Initiative this week presented the clearest picture yet of their project.

The changes, including some road widening projects that got a chilly reception from the Metro Council, were approved unanimously without much substantive discussion at Wednesday's meeting of the Metro Policy Advisory Committee. Meanwhile, a public comment report on the projects showed little opposition to the proposals that received the most attention from the Metro Council.

Several representatives to a region-wide advisory committee said Wednesday that Metro's Climate Smart Communities program is about more than tailpipe emissions, saying it's about what citizens want in their communities.

Whatever their motive, the way business owners from across the Portland region have been cutting back driving costs has been a relief to regional planners, who have to address a state mandate to reduce vehicle emissions.

The proposals – specifically two road widening projects in Hillsboro, one on Interstate 5 near Tigard and another along Interstate 205 in East Portland – raised questions about how wide is too wide for Portland region roadways.

Planners from the regional government have been working to address a mandate from the Oregon Legislature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was unclear Friday if the EPA's proposed standards, if adopted nationwide, would move Metro closer to being able to address the state's mandates.

A bill that would initiate a Metro takeover of TriMet was met with skepticism from Metro councilors Tuesday, as some wondered whether House Bill 3316 would actually address perceived problems with TriMet.