Oregon Land Use Update
September 13, 2006

In this issue:

1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON

• Join us for a town hall Envision Oregon event in La Grande on October 12
• How do you become an Oregonian?

OREGON NEWS

• Measure 37 financial backers begin filing claims in Lane County
• How far south will Metro go?  
• New Forestry Chair Endowed at OSU
• Non-response by Wildish ends attempts to purchase Measure 37 claim land
• Hemstreet appeals Yamhill County's rejection of Measure 37 claim
• Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning meeting September 18 in Pendleton

NATIONAL NEWS

• Transportation impact study surprisingly effective growth tool
• Is there a "Campaign Against Land Use Planning?"
• Outdoor Industry Association opposes federal growth plan for Salt Lake City area
• A new smart growth toolkit available

If you would like to receive Land Use Update via email, please subscribe at http://www.friends.org/update. You can unsubscribe at http://www.friends.org/unsubscribe.

Join us for a town hall Envision Oregon event in La Grande on October 12

On Thursday, October 12 starting at 5:30 pm in La Grande there will be another Envision Oregon town hall event featuring you and other Oregonians sharing what you value about Oregon and your vision for the future.  Future events are planned for Bend on October 26 and Medford on November 28.  The event is free and we will even feed you, but please register in advance so we have room and food for all.

Most Oregonians were not born here, yet all of us call ourselves Oregonians.  For a glimpse into the process that transformed a Chilean into someone who pronounced "Willamette" like a native, read one of the many Oregon stories. Share your own story.

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OREGON NEWS

Measure 37 financial backers begin filing claims in Lane County

Donors to the 2004 pro-Measure 37 campaign have started submitting Measure 37 claims.  Wildish Land Co. contributed $10,000 and has submitted the largest claim so far in Lane County for mining and then houses on 1,400 acres near Mount Pisgah. Gregory Demers contributed $82,000 to the campaign for Measure 37 and has connections to 3 claims in the county. Read more.

How far south will Metro go?

This is not a new issue, but it is also not a resolved issue.  Will Metro expand south of the Willamette River?   Wilsonville leaders and farmers are concerned that heading south means the entire Willamette Valley is at risk for development.  The river is a "natural stopping place."  A 2004 Metro study suggested that Metro was seriously eyeing land south of Charbonneau and Wilsonville area leaders are leading an effort to protect the valuable agricultural lands there.  Read more.

Richard Strachan donated $3.6 million to endow a new faculty position for forest management research and a new degree program to integrate forestry, technology and business. Learn more.

The 1400-acre Wildish Measure 37 claim has prompted area efforts to purchase land for public use. Those attempts seem to fail when Wildish did not respond to requests to name a price.  Read more.

Hemstreet appeals Yamhill County's decision on Measure 37 claim

Consistent with decisions in other jurisdictions, Yamhill County denied developer Bob Hemstreet's Measure 37 claim to create 852 one-acre lots for a subdivision because he transferred his ownership to a limited liability corporation in 1997, of which he and his wife are principals.  The County approved a waiver back to 1997 so that he can build 17 houses.  Hemstreet has appealed to the Yamhill County Circuit Court. Read more.

The Land Use Planning task force holds its next meeting in Pendleton.  On the agenda includes a briefing on a recent decision by the Land Conservation and Development Commission to allow Umatilla County to change its 160-acre minimum parcel size in Exclusive Farm Use zone to 40-acres for two landowners in the Dry Creek area of the county.  Task force members will break into their work group meetings.  There is no opportunity for public comment during the meeting.   Find the agenda and information on past meetings here.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Transportation impact study surprisingly effective growth tool

In Virginia last year a bill required an impact statement by the Virginia Department of Transportation on local land use decisions that affect roads.  The first report is out on a Loudoun County development proposal.  After county supervisors read DOT's gridlock predictions, they nixed the proposed housing development. Learn more.

Is there a "Campaign Against Land Use Planning?"

Looking at western states and current ballot measures, some are connecting the dots for a comprehensive look at what is happening. Read a three-part series of news articles.

Congress is considering legislation that would sell off up to 24,000 acres of federal land in Washington County, Utah.  But the Outdoor Industry Association opposes the measure in part due to lack of transportation planning.  The recreation industry estimates it contribute $730 billion to the economy. Read more.

A new smart growth toolkit available

How do communities grow in a way that enhances residents' quality of life?  Each community grapples with this issue and often goes through a painful process of learning what does and does not work.   A new source book, This is Smart Growth, can help rural, urban, suburban, large and small  communities avoid some of the worst pitfalls. The publication was  released by the Smart Growth Network and the International City/County Management Association.  Download a free copy.

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Credits/Subscription Info

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Land Use Update is edited by Kate Kimball and brought to you by 1000 Friends of Oregon, a statewide organization dedicated to protecting Oregon's quality of life.

To help support this work, including the distribution of Land Use Update, please consider making a tax-deductible donation online at http://www.friends.org/support

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