Review Calls for Oregon Land Use System Reworking

"Oregon's storied land-use system makes the state an environmental pacesetter but it smothers regional differences and is complicated to the point of being "unapproachable," a review concludes."

"Also, challenges -- ranging from global warming to the cost of providing development infrastructure -- demand that the land-use system evolve, according to a "Big Look" task force that studied it."

"The arrival of as many as 2 million new residents in the next 25 years compounds the situation, the group concluded."

"Instead of whacking the land-use approach, however, the task force appointed by the governor and the 2005 Legislature recommended a series of strategic tweaks."