Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Assn.

Metro Update

Jun 06, 2000

Metro Update
by Ed Washington
Metro Councilor, District 5


Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)
Planning is Metro?’s top job, and one of the biggest planning tasks is the urban growth boundary. Since the late 1970?’s, Metro has been responsible for managing the boundary that surrounds the 24 cities and urban portions of the three counties. There are some new developments I?’d like to tell you about.
Metro has asked the State to put its UGB work under what?’s called ?‘periodic review.?’ Periodic review is a process by which the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) works with local governments and citizens to review the government?’s work. The goal is to make sure Metro?’s land-use work, specifically in regards to the UGB, complies with state land use goals.
The idea is not to have LCDC approve or disapprove of the decisions Metro makes, but rather to approve of the process and findings by which Metro?’s decisions are made. The Metro Council is proposing a three-phase periodic review program.
The first phase wraps up the changes Metro must make to the urban growth boundary related to the 2017 regional land supply need. Metro is obligated to finish this work by October. Phase 2 looks at the ?‘sub regional need?’ to balance housing and jobs in different parts of the region. The third phase looks ahead to the next round of 20-year land needs (to the year 2022) as required by state law. A detailed listing of the draft work plan is available.
Compost Bins
If you?’re in the mood to create worm food, we?’ve got the goods for you! Metro will again be selling reduced-cost compost bins. Mark June 3 and 4 on your calendar. There are two locations in Portland. You can go to the Gateway park-and-ride (behind the Gateway Fred Meyer at NE Pacific and 99th). The Gateway sale is on Saturday only from 8?–5. You can also go to Portland Community College?—Sylvania (12000 SW 49th). The PCC sales goes on Saturday and Sunday from 8?–5. The bins cost $25 each.
Recycled Paint
I also want to let you know about a great program that we?’ve been able to open up to private citizens. We are collecting old paint that used to be thrown away, and we are recycling it. It is high quality?—but you won?’t pay high prices! A 5-gallon pail (the smallest amount available) is only $22. If you belong to a non-profit group, talk to us about even bigger discounts! We recommend citizens buy Metro?’s recycled paint at the Rebuilding Center, 3625 N. Mississippi in Portland.
As always, if you have questions or ideas about your regional government, give me a call or send me an email. My direct number is 797-1546, or write me at:
washingtone@metro.dst.or.us