| Oregon Land Use Update
July 12, 2006
In this issue:
1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON
- Envision Oregon comes to Portland August 3: space is limited so please register early.
- 1000 hires Communications Director
- Bob Stacey discusses future of Oregon, 1000 Friends work
OREGON NEWS
- Letting the car loose
- Managing double digit growth: Bend v. Bozeman and Walla Walla
- Getting on the ballot in 2006
NATIONAL NEWS
- Two former Governors recommend using state spending to strengthen communities.
- Shortage of smaller houses in DC area
- Smart Growth Scorecard for Bay Area released by Greenbelt Alliance
- More Homes, Same Neighborhood
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1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON
"Envision Oregon" comes to Portland on August 3: space is limited so please register early
On Thursday, August 3, the third Envision Oregon town hall forum will be held. This is an event where you do the talking with other Oregonians about what makes Oregon special to you and what you see in Oregon's future. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:45. Registration and a light supper to keep you going will be available starting at 5:00 pm. The event is free, please register now.
1000 Friends hires Communications Director
Eric Stachon has joined 1000 Friends as our Director of Communications. Before joining 1000 Friends, Eric ran his own video and web production firm, Sky High Creative. Eric is experienced at communications for non-profit organizations. For those of you who attended our 30th anniversary dinner, Eric was the talent behind the video "Celebrate Oregon," which can be viewed online.
Bob Stacey discusses future of Oregon, 1000 Friends' work
In an in-depth Daily Journal of Commerce interview, Bob Stacey talks about the past and the future of Oregon land use planning.
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OREGON NEWS
Letting the car loose
We know it would be better for the planet and our budgets if we could drive our cars less. But how realistic is it to give it up? With an increased employer transportation subsidy, one Portland resident found she could literally commute for free. That was enough for her to get on the bus. Read more.
In Portland, 25 residents literally turned over the keys to their car for one month to see what life on the "Low Car Diet" is like. Learn about their experiences.
Alan Durning, Director of Sightline Institute (formerly Northwest Environmental Watch) and his family of four are trying car-free living for one year. Find out how the experiment is going.
Managing double-digit growth: Bend vs. Bozeman and Walla Walla
One in a series of articles comparing how Bend and Bozeman, MT have managed exponential growth. The article is on Bend, which issues 6,000 building permits each year. Read a previous story. An OPB story tells how Walla Walla residents are reacting to Bend-type rates of growth.
Getting on the ballot in 2006
Voting in Oregon can be a little like final exams, with all the studying needed to understand what a ballot measure really does. To avoid that last-minute cramming and to find out if you want to be involved in any of these efforts, read what initiative petitions have been submitted for signature verification. There have been 12 turned in, some of which would have significant impacts on Oregon. Read more. See what has been filed and the results of verification from the Secretary of State's website.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Two former Governors recommend using state spending to strengthen communities
The Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening write about the challenges Connecticut faces in stopping state subsidies that favor unplanned development. They warn that tax policies need to support community goals. As they write: "Remember, if you design communities for automobiles, you get more automobiles. If you design them for people, you get walkable, livable communities." Read the full commentary.
Shortage of smaller houses in DC area
If you want a 2,500 square foot home with all the amenities, there are a lot of new homes in the Virginia suburbs of DC. Looking for 1,400 square feet and you'll have to keep looking, according to a recent Washington Post article.
Smart Growth Scorecard for Bay Area released by Greenbelt Alliance
The San Francisco Bay area expects 1 million new residents by 2020, so the Greenbelt Alliance took a look at what policies are in place to prepare for this growth. In general, the Alliance found that cities have about 1/3 of the policies they need for smart growth and counties have about half the policies they need. How would your Oregon community rate? See details and maps related to the report.
More Homes, Same Neighborhood
Want to put an apartment over your garage? In Southeast Seattle, they think this is a good idea. Rather than seeing the problems with it, this neighborhood sees the benefits: a greater range of size and rent, added income to existing homeowners, and a way to better manage urban growth so our farmland remains protected. Many Oregon cities zone to allow these "granny flats." Read more from the Seattle Times and a Sightline blog.
Read recent issues of Oregon Land Use Update
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Land Use
Update is edited by Kate Kimball and brought to you by 1000 Friends
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