Can we create "vibrant communities"
without schools & churches?

   Metro is proposing changes to its Regional Framework Plan in an effort to make more efficient use of developable space inside the Urban Growth Boundary.  As part of this plan, the regional planning agency is looking at measures that would discourage schools, churches and other non-business uses from taking up valuable industrial space.

WEA executive director Jonathan Schlueter testified last night at a public hearing in Hillsboro and questioned whether the region truly has the usable land supply it needs for a livable community.

Schlueter pointed to Metro’s map of the region’s industrial land inventory and questioned several of the areas listed.  He also shared examples where space is needed but already lacking. 

The 826 acres on west Hayden Island has been part of the region’s industrial land inventory since 1983 – set aside for future development of marine terminals and industrial jobs.  But the City of Portland has insisted that more than 500 acres be protected for wildlife habitat, open space, and recreational use.

Owners of the Colwood Golf Course wanted to develop the 116 acres into industrial use, but the rezoning efforts were denied in a 4-0 vote by the Portland City Council back in 2008 when city leaders recommended retaining it as an open space.

Due to environmental protection constraints, an additional 246 acres counted in the regional inventory of industrial land no longer can be developed along the Columbia River Slough.

In Tigard, long time landowner Fred Fields has applied to develop his 34 acres of industrial land adjacent to Highway 217, 99W and I-5. But other city residents and environmental groups are asking the city to acquire large portions of the property for a dog park and wildlife habitat.

Schlueter pointed to community needs for space.

“The Beaverton School District is shopping for 40 acres to purchase for two future schools.   Currently, four of the District’s five high schools are over capacity, and the District welcomed another 500 new students into its enrollment this fall,” said Schlueter.

In Tigard, Solid Rock church is one of the fastest growing churches in the nation with more than 4,000 people attending its worship services in “The Garage” – formerly a flex industrial space in the Scholls Business Park just off Scholls Ferry Road and Highway 217. 

Schlueter said, “Just because Metro is limiting churches and school buildings in the urban expansion areas, it doesn’t alter the need for these institutions to find spaces to worship, and in the case of Solid Rock, they are consuming a 40,000 square foot industrial office building to accommodate its needs.”

And the needs aren’t limited to industrial manufacturing.  One WEA member has a client looking for a 15 acre site, but hasn’t been able to find a suitable location in our region in the five years they’ve been looking. 

A prominent commercial broker was representing a client who needed 11 acres for a medical diagnostic and treatment center.  The site needed to be close to hospitals and hotels, but because of local transit overlays and zoning restrictions, that company still has not located in the Portland region.

Even finding suitable office space is becoming an issue.  “One of our members is struggling to find 50,000 square feet of available Class A office space in downtown Portland,” said Schlueter, ”In fact, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is looking for 125,000 square feet of office space, but because of federal office setbacks of 25 meters to adjacent streets, this space doesn’t exist in downtown Portland, and the agency may be forced to relocate more than 500 jobs away from the urban core.”

Metro will be holding two more public hearings on improving its growth management.  The next meeting will be held Thursday, December 9 in the Metro Chambers at 600 NE Grand in Portland.