The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission approved Metro's most recent urban growth boundary expansion on Thursday, ending one chapter in a years-long process to add more land for development in the region.

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.

Today the Metro Council voted 6-0 to add 1985 acres to the region’s urban growth boundary for future housing and jobs. (Councilor Rex Burkholder was excused.) This represents less than a one-percent expansion of the region’s urban footprint to accommodate thousands of additional households and workers over the next 20 years.

Later this month, my Metro Council colleagues and I will decide whether to expand the urban growth boundary and, if so, where. This decision will affect how the region’s communities develop and thrive, with good jobs and safe vibrant neighborhoods. A proposal was released in July followed by a public open house held in Hillsboro.

This fall, the Metro Council will decide whether to expand the urban growth boundary and, if so, where.

This decision will not just be about lines on a map. It will affect how the region’s communities develop and thrive. It will have an impact on investments in good jobs and safe neighborhoods, protection of farms and forest land and getting more out of investments in existing schools, parks, sidewalks, streets and other public structures.

Over the summer, the public can weigh in on a proposal that helps focus continued growth and investment in the region’s downtowns, main streets and employment areas. Today Metro’s acting chief operating officer, Dan Cooper, presented the Metro Council with several options to consider for small expansions of the urban growth boundary. These options are located in targeted areas to complement ongoing efforts that focus more growth and investment in existing communities.

Metro, the Port of Portland, Portland Business Alliance, Business Oregon and the Oregon Chapter of NAIOP are undertaking a comprehensive review of the region’s inventory of large industrial sites and assessing their readiness to support new private-sector jobs.

In Metro District 4, the strain caused by time and use of public facilities and infrastructure is evident. In the places where we live, work and travel, we can see missing sidewalks, cracked or potholed streets, areas where water or sewer pipes need replacing, and public buildings like schools, libraries and courthouses that need maintenance or improvement. Each level of government and service district continues to stretch public dollars to maintain or repair these facilities as wisely and effectively as possible, using the tax dollars that you and I provide. Most of us don’t want to pay more taxes unless it is for clear and specific purposes that can’t be achieved otherwise, such as a major capital investment for a new school, park, library or fire station, or for vital regular maintenance to prevent serious damage. “Maintain what we have before extending ourselves further” is a clear message that you have delivered to every elected level of government.

Some natural areas make a splash with hiking trails or high-profile locations. Others – including a growing swath of land in western Multnomah County –  quietly go about the business of protecting water quality and wildlife habitat, fulfilling two objectives of Metro’s voter-approved Natural Areas Program. Metro recently purchased 37 acres along North Abbey Creek, creating a natural area of nearly 120 acres combined with three previously protected, side-by-side properties.

The Metro Council and Washington County Commission invite public input and feedback on the revised urban and rural reserves map for Washington County that was released on Feb. 22. On Tuesday, March 15, the Metro Council and the Washington County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Washington County Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave. in Hillsboro. Interested community members are welcome to attend and take part in this public hearing. Those who cannot attend the public hearing can also weigh in through other means.