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.

September and October marked several important and exciting events for Metro and the region.

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.

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.

Today the Metro Council directed its staff to study several areas outside of the region’s urban growth boundary that can support the creation of good jobs and new communities while supporting investments in existing communities. This fall, the Metro Council is expected to consider whether (and, if so, where) to expand the UGB. The UGB serves as a boundary for development that seeks to provide for more efficient use of land, public facilities and investments within existing communities while preventing sprawl and preserving valuable farms and forest lands that define the character of the region. It can also be expanded, when needed, to provide for new jobs and housing.