Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Project BackgroundThe City of North Plains has been working on an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Expansion since fall 2020. This expansion is required by Oregon law. On September 18, 2023, after three years of research, planning and public input and discussions, City Council approved a recommended expansion scenario and full UGB Expansion Report. Concept planning for the City's long-term future will begin this fall to ensure a good balance of housing, parks and trails, economic development, infrastructure, and community services.

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.

Read our UGB FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions about the North Plains UGB expansion and process. See below for more information on the project background, including Project Advisory Committee and other public meetings and related documents.

Expansion Planning Project Background (August 2020 - June 2023)

The UGB Expansion project was initiated in August 2020, but discussion of a UGB project goes back to 2015 with the North Plains 2035 Vision Project. During the most recent three-year project, a UGB Project Advisory Committee (PAC), listed below, met eight times over the course of the project, guided the process, and made recommendations for Planning Commission and City Council consideration. As part of this, the City completed a North Plains Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) which specifies a variety of employment categories in both industrial and commercial sectors. The City also updated a Housing Needs Analysis, which was adopted by the City Council concurrently with the UGB Expansion Report on June 20, 2023. However, that adoption was rescinded by City Council in order to add supplementary findings that provide additional context to the UGB Expansion report. Planning Commission and City Council Public hearings were held again in August and September. City Council Approved the North Plains UGB Expansion on September 18, 2023. A final North Plains UGB Expansion Report includes a map of the expansion area.

Phase 1

Phase 1, completed in June 2021, established a study area for UGB expansion. North Plains has no “urban reserves” and is surrounded by rural reserves and “undesignated” areas. The study area includes most land within one mile of the current UGB, excluding rural reserves. The one exception is the Sunset Air Strip and associated residential development. The City proposes that this area be excluded from the study area since it is not suitable to meet the City’s residential or employment land needs.  The Phase 1 Report is available in the Supporting Documents section at the bottom of the page.

Phase 2

Phase 2 kicked off in August 2021 and applied Goal 14 Boundary Location Factors to evaluate potential expansion areas and recommend an amendment to the North Plains UGB.

PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The North Plains UGB Expansion Project was guided by a Project Advisory Committee (PAC). All PAC meetings were promoted and open to the public (see bottom of the page for documents). PAC membership includes:

• Charlie Hopewell, local business
• Eric Lawson, Economic Development Commission
• Stewart King, Planning Commission Chair
• Teri Lenahan, Mayor
• Mike Holm, local business
• Lonnie Knodel, Planning Commissioner
• Doug Nunnenkamp, Planning Commissioner/Parks Board Chair
• Glen Bolen, ODOT
• Laura Kelly, DLCD
• Kevin Young, DLCD
• Jessica Pelz, Washington County
• Shannon Wilson, Washington County Housing Authority

PROJECT SCHEDULEFor current status and news on the expansion, visit our main project page here.
CONTACTFor more information contact Andy Varner, City Manager, at andy.varner@northplains.org or 503-447-1700.

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Supporting Documents28 documents

• North Plains UGB Expansion Report - April 20, 2023
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• PDF icon UGB Expansion City Council Planning Commission Work Session Presentation April 17, 2023
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• PDF icon North Plains Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) - Ammended October 2022
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• North Plains UGB Alternative Map I - February 2023
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• North Plains UGB Alternative Map III - February 2023
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• North Plains UGB Alternative Map II - February 2023
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• PAC Meeting #1 Presentation
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• PAC Meeting #1 Summary Notes
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• PAC Meeting #2 Presentation
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• PAC Meeting #2 Summary Notes
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• PAC Meeting #3 Summary Notes
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• Public Meeting Presentation Slides May 2021
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• UGB Expansion Phase I Report
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• PAC Meeting #4 Summary Notes
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• Fall 2021 Newsletter
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• PAC Meeting #5 - Intro and Factor 1 Analysis
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• PAC Meeting #5 - Factor 2a Analysis - Transportation
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• PAC Meeting #5 - Factor 2b Analysis - Utilities
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• PAC Meeting #5 - Factor 3 Analysis
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• PAC Meeting #5 - Factor 4 Analysis
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• PAC #5 Meeting Notes
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• PAC Meeting #6 - Goal 14 Analysis Intro - Efficiency
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• PAC Meeting #6 - UGB Transportation Analysis Update II
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• PAC Meeting #6 - AgCompatibility
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• PAC Meeting #6 - UGB Utility Analysis
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• PAC Meeting #7 - Expansion Study Area Map
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• PAC Meeting #7 Meeting Notes
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• PAC #8 Meeting Presentation
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