Reserve Open Houses

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 06, 2009

All metro area residents and property owners are invited to attend one or more of the eight open houses being held in late April to give input on the suitability of lands surrounding the current urban growth boundary that should be considered for future rural protection or urban growth over the next 40-50 years.

Metro and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties are engaged in a collaborative effort to designate areas to accommodate future population and employment growth as well as to protect valuable farmland, forest land and natural areas for up to 50 years. Urban reserves will be areas outside of the current UGB designated to accommodate future growth, while rural reserves will be areas protected from development.

The Candidate Urban and Rural Reserve areas that are deemed suitable for designation will undergo detailed analysis leading to recommendations later this summer. The open houses, listed below, are jointly sponsored by Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, and Metro.

• Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Clackamas County Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City
• Thursday, April 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Neil Armstrong Middle School, 1777 Mountain View Lane, Forest Grove
• Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon. Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
• Monday, April 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sam Barlow High School, 5105 SW 302nd Ave., Gresham
• Wednesday, April 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Tigard High School, 9000 SW Durham Road, Tigard
• Monday, April 27, 6 to 8 p.m. Linnton Community Center, 10614 NW St. Helens Road, Portland
• Wednesday, April 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rock Creek Elementary, 4125 NW 185th Ave., Beaverton
• Thursday, April 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wilsonville City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville

The process for designating urban and rural reserves began in 2008 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. More information about the process, the regional open houses and other opportunities to learn about and give input are available:

• Metro - www.oregonmetro.gov/reserves
• Clackamas County - www.clackamas.us/transportation/planning/reserves.htm
• Multnomah County - www.multco.us/reserves
• Washington County - www.co.washington.or.us/reserves/

For more information:

Clackamas County: Ellen Rogalin, 503-353-4274, [email protected]

Multnomah County: Susana Brennan, 503-988-36800, [email protected]

Washington County: Mike Dahlstrom, 503-846-8101, [email protected]

Metro: Karen Kane, 503-797-1942, [email protected]

Media Contact: