County invites public to testify on Urban and Rural Reserves

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

 The Washington County Reserves Coordinating Committee (WCRCC) is hosting a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main Street in Hillsboro. The hearing is an opportunity for the public to provide testimony regarding urban and rural reserve recommendations being considered by the WCRCC. An informational open house will accompany the hearing, with staff from the county and the cities engaged in this vital long-range growth planning process.

Urban and Rural Reserves, when adopted, will determine where growth will occur over the next 40 to 50 years. Urban reserves will be areas where future Urban Growth Boundary expansions could occur, when needed. Rural Reserves will protect agricultural and forest land and vital natural features from any urbanization over the same period.

The WCRCC is considering recommendations presented in a county staff report, now available at www.co.washington.or.us/reserves.  The report identifies approximately 108,800 acres for rural reserves and 33,800 acres for urban reserves. The WCRCC will deliberate on the report and consider all public comment and testimony received up through September 1. Comment and testimony can be provided at any time in writing. The Public Hearing provides a chance to give oral testimony before the committee.

The WCRCC, made up of elected officials and representatives of the Farm Bureau and service districts, is the county's advisory committee for Urban and Rural Reserves designation. It provides recommendations to both a regional steering committee and to the Board of County Commissioners. This process also involves Clackamas and Multnomah counties and Metro, and will culminate in agreements between each county and Metro. Metro will include the urban reserves in their future UGB decisions; the county will include rural reserves in the County Comprehensive Plan.

To learn more about the Public Hearing, download the staff report or find more information on the process, visit www.co.washington.or.us/reserves.

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