Letters

These are copies of letters submitted to the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

• March 29, 2011 - ODOT states that Urban Reserves are NOT required for interchange improvements at the US 26 / Brookwood Parkway interchange. Read more…
• December 9, 2010 - Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle voices opposition to Reserves map changes that now include Helvetia. Read more…
• November 16, 2009 - State Representative Mitch Greenlick supports Rural Reserves north of Highway 26
  “…The Hwy 26 / Helvetia Road interchange can serve north Hillsboro without development on the adjacent farmland.  The presence of highways and freeways cannot become a justification for more urban development.” Read more…
• October 13, 2009 - A letter and resolution was presented to the Washington County Board of Commissioners by CPO 8 Chair Henry Oberhelman.  Below is an excerpt from the resolution.

  “CPO 8 calls upon the Washington County Board of Commissioners to honor its duty under OAR 660-027-0060 to protect productive Resource Lands within its jurisdiction from encroaching urbanization, and to involve citizens effectively in the determination of Rural Reserves necessary to fulfill that purpose.”
  

  Read the full letter and resolution

These are copies of letters submitted to the Reserves Coordinating Committee members or to the press.

• February 5, 2010 - Linda Peters responds to Oregonian editorial about the reserves process
  “…If Chair Brian is unable to convince Cornelius, Hillsboro, and a majority of his Board to accept the more modest Urban Reserves recommended by State Agencies (October report re-issued in January) and supported by regional public opinion, perhaps the best route for Core 4 is to act proudly on those agreements that can be reached among the other three parties, and defer an IGA between Washington County and Metro until legally defensible agreements can be reached.” Read more…
• December 8th, 2009 - CSA coalition responds to Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey
  “…We know that people in the Portland Metro region care deeply about protecting farmland.  In a recent Metro survey, 70% said that protecting farm and forest lands should be the most important consideration for choosing between Urban and Rural designation. …  Remember there is definitely a down side to having too much Urban Reserve – we'll lose the farms!” Read more…
• November 17, 2009 - A Tale of Two Cities – Robert Bailey responds to the Hillsboro Vision 2020 Committee's request for comments. “… How is the environment protected by sprawling over some of the best and most productive farm soils in the world?  How is community built when you displace rural neighbors and communities?  What projects will you give up to focus on new development?  What will this cost you?  Why are your politicians working so hard for people who do not now even live in Hillsboro?” Read more…
• November 10, 2009 - Tribes again request government-to-government consultation regarding Urban Reserves north of Highway 26
  “…we reiterate our belief that the area north of Highway 26 recommended by the RCC for urban reserves is a remnant cultural landscape of significance to the Confederated Tribes in that the area contains sacred, historical, cultural and burial sites.” Read more…
• October 23, 2009 - Letter from Phillipe Mazaud, resident of Hillsboro
  “…It is the blind insistence on pursuing the same outdated models of suburban growth inherited from the 1950's and 1960's that is backward-looking.  Leaving urban centers mostly lifeless and decayed in order to forever sprawl out is both unsustainable and unambitious.” Read more…
• September 19, 2009 - Cherry Amabisca responds to Argus editorial about Metro citizen involvement process
  “In the past 18 months of work on Reserves, Washington County chose not to include citizens on their advisory committee, not to hold any hearings before the Board of County Commissioners, not to open their Planning Directors meetings to the public, and not to schedule meetings of their Reserves Coordinating Committee at a time convenient for working citizens.  And Hillsboro chose not to ask for citizen input when they developed their growth aspirations.  The Argus should apologize to Metro, and Washington County should apologize to its citizens.” Read more…
• September 11, 2009 - Greg Mecklem's comments on County planners' attitudes toward farmers and citizen involvement
  “Hillsboro and Washington County planners and politicians have turned the process on its head — they want to let a few landowners and developers who want to make a fast buck determine the future of the county and region at the expense of our children’s future.  Governor Tom McCall would be horrified.” Read more…
• August 27, 2009 - Tribes request government-to-government consultation regarding Urban Reserves north of Highway 26
  “The Confederated Tribes' Cultural Resources Department has identified the area in Washington County north of Highway 26 as a remnant cultural landscape of significance to the Confederated Tribes.  The Confederated Tribes believe this is an area containing sacred, historical, cultural, and burial sites.  Designating this area as urban reserve could facilitate development that would irreparably harm these sites.” Read more…
• July 1, 2009 - Farming in the Helvetia Area
  “On June 25th, I interviewed several area farmers with years of experience with the local lands and the changing farming infrastructure.  For the interviews, I took key Oregon Administrative Rules ‘criteria’ related to the rural reserves/urban reserves determinations and framed them into question areas.  I sought their agricultural perspective on the farm lands from Bethany through Helvetia and west to North Plains.” … “The area north of the Sunset and specifically from Helvetia Road to Glencoe Road was described as having excellent farming conditions.” … “Helvetia farmers felt fortunate compared to others they knew who must make decisions in a context of higher risk.” Read more…
• June 10, 2009 - Pacific Crest Accoyo America owner deplores urban-centric planning approach
  “…It is clear to me that Washington County emphasizes an “inside the urban growth boundary looking out” perspective that in the long run jeopardizes Washington County’s, Oregon’s, and America’s most valuable natural resource, our prime agricultural land.” Read more…
• May 12, 2009 - Bon Appétit supports rural reserves designation for Helvetia
  “Bon Appétit Management Company is an onsite restaurant company that provides café and catering services to corporations, colleges and universities, and specialty venues.  We have over 400 locations in 29 states, including four sites in Washington County.” Read more…
• April 6, 2009 - Valley Vista Farm owner cites threats to County ag service industry
  “…the department considers agricultural lands located within this subregion to be significant and recommends strong consideration for designation as an agricultural preserve.” Read more…
• February 25, 2009 - Local CSA owners request rural reserves designation for Helvetia
  “…We implore you to carefully assess the extension of the UGB and Urban Reserves and what it would do to our farms and our ability to provide fresh food to our community.” Read more…

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