Letters

Linda Peters responds to Oregonian editorial about the reserves process

This letter was written in response to the editorial “Paging four leaders to create a win on growth”, published in the February 5, 2010 Oregonian.

To: Oregonian Editorial Board
From: Linda Peters, Chair Washington County Board of Commissioners (1995-1999)

As an active participant in both Save Helvetia and the Ag/Natural Resource Coalition (ANRC), I'd like share these observations:

1) No Core 4 member is holding out for perfection, but all are holding out for the "best deal they can get", for their own county and/or for the region's future livability.

2) There is general agreement on almost all the potential map designations, supported by the public and by MPAC (Metro Policy Advisory Committee, the Council's official advisors/liaisons to local governments and citizen groups, comparable to a city or county planning commission.)

3) The lands remaining in contention are principally in Washington County, which is under sharp and persistent pressure from both sides. On one side are development professionals and those city officials who believe them, certain that their economies will improve only if they can expand into farmland. On the other side are stakeholders such as Farm Bureaus, CSA owners, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Tualatin Riverkeepers, Save Helvetia, Audubon Society, Coalition for a Livable Future, and dozens of other grassroots groups composing ANRC. We're fighting to protect prime farmland and natural resources as integral parts of the region's character, economic well-being, and future health.

Based on polling, on the results of Metro's January review process, and on MPAC's recommendations to Metro, it seems the popular regional consensus supports meaningful protection for farmland and natural areas, and believes that a sound regional economy can grow best with compact, well-designed and well-served urban areas. Most people believe that clean air, clean water, plenty of healthy locally-grown food, and beautiful countryside are values that do make this a "Great Place." Many of us understand that the era of big-lot manufacturing, easy credit, and auto-dependent suburban growth is ending or gone. But there are hold-outs.

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. I believe it is a major achievement that we are, as a region, as close as we are to making thoughtful, long-range plans for a sustainable future.

Help us save this unique and priceless area by submitting your own testimony!