A project to expand the City of North Plains' Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is underway. The UGB is the area outside of city limits intended to ensure a future supply of land for housing and employment. North Plains has reached its limit for buildable land supply within City limits and Oregon law requires that we plan for and accommodate a 20-year supply of land for predicted population growth. We are committed to thoughtful planning to maintain the character and livability of North Plains, and we invite residents to get involved to help shape North Plains’ future.
After many years of research, planning, and public input and discussions, City Council approved a recommended expansion scenario including a
UGB Expansion report and a Housing Needs Analysis (HNA) on September 18, 2023. In October, a petition signed by 278 North Plains voters to place a referendum on the May 2024 ballot was certified by the Washington County Elections Division. North Plains registered voters will vote yes to affirm the City Council's approval of the current urban growth boundary expansion plan or no to reject it. With support from a grant from the State of Oregon, concept planning for the City's long-term future will move forward beginning this fall to ensure we have a good balance of housing, parks and economic development, infrastructure, and commercial and community services. We will promote and update this page with public input opportunities for residents to engage and help shape the City's future - starting this fall and continuing with years of planning and zoning work ahead.
Quick links for more information:
The North Plains UGB Expansion Project will comply with
Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 14 (Urbanization): “To provide for an orderly and efficient transition from rural to urban land use, to accommodate urban population and urban employment inside urban growth boundaries, to ensure efficient use of land, and to provide for livable communities.”
Each of the state’s cities and metropolitan areas has created an urban growth boundary around its city limits as a land use planning line to control urban expansion. Communities are required by state law to have a 20-year supply of land for future residential development inside the boundary. North Plains must work with Washington County and the State's Department of Land Conservation and Development on Urban Growth Boundary amendments.
North Plains is one of the fastest-growing communities in Washington County. The city’s population is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Annexations in 2017 have left the city without any areas for future growth. Recent studies estimate that around 850 acres are needed to accommodate the city’s 20-year demand for housing and employment.
For more information contact Andy Varner, City Manager, at
andy.varner@northplains.org or
503-447-1700.
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