Portland Region Tries to Decide What to Develop, What to Preserve

"Advisory committees for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties are finishing lists of potential "urban reserves" and "rural reserves," as required by a 2007 state law. Urban reserves would form a pool of developable land Metro draws upon over the next 40 to 50 years when it expands Portland's urban growth boundary. Rural reserves would be off-limits to urbanization for the same period."

"The 2007 Legislature devised an optional method for expanding the urban growth boundary, which would enable development of prime, close-in farmlands, such as potential job centers outside Hillsboro."

"The new law, Senate Bill 1011, requires an uncommon degree of cooperation among the three counties and Metro. They must jointly submit rationale for the urban and rural reserves to the state Land Conservation and Development Commission."