Open House for North Bethany Community Plan Implementation June 28

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 18, 2010

Washington County’s Department of Land Use and Transportation, Long Range Planning Division, invites interested parties to an Open House on Monday, June 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building Cafeteria, 155 N. First Avenue in Hillsboro. The open house will focus on recent progress towards creating the implementation ordinance and funding plan for future development in North Bethany.

In 2009 the Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted the North Bethany Concept Plan, a framework to build a community with a high level of amenities. County staff, working closely over the last three months with North Bethany property owners, CPO 7, and developer representatives, is drafting a land use ordinance that follows the North Bethany Concept Plan. Once adopted, the ordinance will allow development to begin on this unique community.

At the open house there will be opportunity to review and comment on draft ordinance language regarding:

• Park and community service areas location criteria (how parks and public spaces are assured of being developed)
• Land use districts (where different housing densities should occur)
• Development standards
• Commercial use areas

There will be opportunity to learn about the county's development review procedures, proposed transportation funding, draft Community Development Code updates, and new Code-section language. Staff will be available to discuss these issues. There are no formal presentations, so drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m.

The North Bethany area was brought into the Urban Growth Boundary in 2002. Washington County began planning for the community in 2007 to create a Community of Distinction. Once completed over the next 20 to 25 years, the community will have neighborhood and community parks, walking and biking trails, close-in small commercial areas, a range of housing types and designs, and natural areas and public spaces for all to enjoy. To learn more please visit the North Bethany web site at http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/PlanningProjects/Bethany/index.cfm

Washington County is committed to planning and protecting the uses of the land, balancing care for the natural environment, economic development, safety and community livability.

Media Contact:

Mike Dahlstrom, Program Educator
503-846-8101
[email protected]