Taking Another 'Big Look' at Oregon's Planning System

"Oregon's 'Big Look' task force, idle and out of money for eight months, will dust off its preliminary review of the state's land-use planning system and get back to work Friday."

"Members are optimistic that they'll be able to agree on recommendations for improving a land-use system once considered a national model. In recent years, that system has been the subject of dueling property rights and development ballot measures, Measure 37 and Measure 49."

"Critics say the Oregon system of statewide planning has become heavy-handed and unnecessarily complicated. Supporters are leery of relaxing standards that have limited urban sprawl and preserved farmland."