Category Archives: Washington County Government
Road News February 2023
• Thompson Road surveying work
• Huntington Ave. sidewalk open house
• Traffic easing programs encounter high barriers in Washington County
Washington County News February 2023
• Washington County map search options
• Include a permit in plans for events in the right-of-way
Development News February 2023
• West Union Gas Station proposal approved by Hearings Officer
• Neighborhood Commercial to Residential?
WashCo News January 2023
• Housing voucher waitlist
• Participants needed for Veterans History Project
• Washington County 2023 Legislative Agendas
• Boards and Commissions Vacancies
• Land Use and Transportation Annual Report
What is Cedar Mill?
In some ways you could more easily approach this issue as, “What Cedar Mill isn’t.” It is not a city or town. It doesn’t have its own zip code. Its only official designation is “a census-designated place” on the census map.
Neighborhood Streets Program: A county program needing reform
Urban unincorporated Washington County—for example Aloha, Bethany and Cedar Mill—are expanding rapidly. And for many neighborhoods that can mean streets suddenly change from being local roads to major traffic collectors. The result is often an increase in speeding and traffic accidents. It makes other road users, like cyclists and pedestrians, feel unsafe. In my neighborhood in North Bethany, Joss/Brugger Avenue was intended to be a neighborhood street but, due to delayed development of new larger streets around us, Joss has become a permanent traffic collector.
Washington County News November 2022
• Commissioner District adjustments gets approval
• County appeals flavored tobacco ruling
• County seeks public input about broadband service
• “Operation Green Light” supports local veterans
• Washington County provides integrated homeless services
Saltzman Affordable Housing
County and housing leaders, neighbors, and partners gathered together in late September to celebrate the Saltzman Road Apartments groundbreaking and learn more about this new community slated to open in October 2023.
WashCo News October 2022
• County rolls out new website design
• Boards & Commissions vacancies
• Sign up for WashCo alerts
• HHS promotes Repair Fairs
• WashCo awards $2M to hire community health workers and improve COVID-19 health literacy
• Help your community access free interpretation for government-funded services
September 2022 Road News
We asked LUT Public Affairs and Communications Manager Melissa De Lyser for an update on the various road projects in progress or scheduled for the roads we travel.
WashCo News
• Redesigned county website debuting in September
• Budget-focused Town Hall meeting
• We want your feedback to make our community safer!
August 8 update
• Commissioner Districts Survey
• Neighborhood meeting for 9495 SW Taylor St
• Paving schedules
• Fall Care Fair for afterschool programs
• Flea Market at the Skyline Grange
• WashCo Bikes Repair Clinic
• Storytimes in different languages
• Water District proposes rate hike, offers listening sessions
• Fall Native Plant Sale at THPRD Nature Center
• James Recycling Event at Columbia Sportswear
CPO 1 News August 2022
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• Gas station next to a wetland
• Cedar Hills Apartments
• Leahy Estates appeal is denied
• CPO 1 July meeting notes
Road News August 2022
• Help plan Washington County’s transportation future
• Dangerous sidewalk puddle gets fixed
WashCo News
• Transit Development Plan and Survey
• Commissioner boundary changes
• Washington County Boards and Commissions position openings
Thompson Crossing decision raises questions about county planning
We asked Stephen Roberts, Director of Washington County’s Land Use and Transportation Department (LUT) to clarify the department’s reasoning in allowing the exceptions to county standards and plans for the Thompson Crossing development. While he didn’t explicitly answer every question, we’re including his responses below.
Washington County News
• Middle Housing Ordinance adopted
• Ridwell sues again but Recycle+ is available now
• Reduced rates for garbage and recycling
Washington County News June 2022
• Hauler recycling plan set to begin in July
• Virtual Town Hall: Needs of Older Adults
• Board will address Significant Natural Resources regulations
• Short-term rental requirements and license process
• Commercial food scraps collection services
Election News May 2022
• Vote by May 17
• Campaign finance information
• Track your ballot
Road News May 2022
• Cornell Tunnel update
• County seeks input on two options for Saltzman Road
CPO News May 2022
• May Meeting: Ballot Measures, Cedar Hills development
• CPO 1 appeals the Thompson Crossing development approval, Biggi sues the county
• CPO 1 April Meeting Summary
Call Before You Dig
Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) reminds you to “Call before you dig.” Many of us get outdoors when the Spring weather arrives and start projects like repairing or installing fencing and decks or planting trees. There are many underground utilities, water, wastewater, fiber internet and other telecommunications cables, and power and gas lines. Fortunately, the risk can be avoided.
Washington County CAN!
Washington County Citizen Action Network (WC CAN) is a coalition of grassroots advocates (individuals and groups) dedicated to improving quality of life in Washington County by promoting healthy and sustainable communities, social and economic justice, and open and responsive government.
Where the sidewalk starts: Washington County pedestrian facilities
Because there has been confusion and frustration among neighbors recently over what the county requires in the way of “road amenities,” we asked Melissa De Lyser, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for the county’s Land Use and Transportation Department, to give us a rundown on what the county requires in various situations.
CPO News April 2022
• April meeting: Candidate Forum
• Land use and your CPO
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• CPO March Meeting Summary
Community News April 2022
• Student Academic-Contests for Grades 1-12
• Ask WCSO
Neighborhood Ready? How to win friends and survive a disaster!
• SAMBA Can and Bottle Drive
• Summer childcare help from WCK
• Inside WashCo Shows
• Events at The Reser
• Old Wood Stove Turn-in Event
• Donate a bike to Free Bikes for Kids
• Registration for WashCo Bikes Saddle Up Summer Camps is now open!
• Driver’s Ed for Cyclists
• Legislative Town Hall
• State of the County 2022
• Artist Mingle
• Earth Care Fair
• Call for Beaverton Night Market Vendors
• Public Affairs Forum
• Viva Village April activities
• Everyday Choices Can Improve Your Odds
CPO News March 2022
• March CPO 1 meeting
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• February CPO 1 meeting summary
WashCo News March 2022
• WashCo property tax statements and payment info available online
• Budget Town Hall
• Year-round Shelter Community Meetings
• Boards and Commissions Vacancies Spring 2022
Legislative News March 2022
• Maxine Dexter Zoom Town Hall
• End of Session Town Hall
• Tax information webinar
• Joint End-of-Session Town Hall
Development News February 2022
• Milltowner adds new tenants
• McDaniel commercial property opposite BS Elementary
• Gas station next to a wetland
Washington County News February 2022
• Commissioner district boundaries will change
• Washington County Broadband Investment Strategy study
Hard-to-recycle items and Ridwell in Washington County
In 2018, a new company began offering a recycling service to 60 homes in the Seattle area. By November 2020 they expanded to Portland. We’re not exactly sure when they started offering their service in our area, but it quickly became popular. Ads regularly popped up on the neighborhood NextDoor social media feed.
CPO News January 2022
• CPO 1 January meeting
• Neighborhood meetings
• Future of the CPO program discussed with Commissioners
• CPO 1 December meeting
Saving Animals at the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter
The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter is one of Washington County’s best-known hubs of animal services—from dogs and cats to bunnies and even tortoises, Bonnie Hays reunites lost pets with their owners. Bonnie Hays seeks to give every animal proper care, and when animals go unclaimed, their partnerships ensure that each pet gets a second chance at a loving new home.
Road News January 2022
• Saltzman PAC meeting
• Thompson Road/Kenny Terrace Online Open House
• Cornell Road project now underway
• Filbert sidewalk project delayed
• Walker-Murray intersection construction update
• Oregon 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project
• TriMet service reductions start January 10
• Cornell tunnel update
Washington County Boards and Commissions Vacancies Winter 2022
Various boards, committees, and commissions advise the Board of Commissioners (BCC) on matters of interest to people who live and work in Washington County. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the BCC. Committees themselves do not pass ordinances to establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations.
Road News December 2021
• Barnes/CHB intersection improvements
• Upper Saltzman—another PAC meeting, Open House, BCC briefing
CPO 1 News December 2021
• December meeting: Why our water rates must go up
• CCI requests Planning Commission changes
• Development Applications: West Union gas station; Leahy Estates
• Neighborhood Meeting online rules
• CPO 1 November Meeting Notes
WashCo News December 2021
• New anti-vaping law
• Juneteenth adopted as a paid county holiday
• Rental assistance continues in Washington County
• Chair Harrington’s 2021 End of Year Address
• eBooks are now available through Law Library
• Current and new WIC participants will receive extra fruit and vegetable benefits through March 2022
Ridwell in Washington County
We had planned to do a roundup of news about the efforts of Ridwell, a small northwest company, to offer a service to collect hard-to-recycle items and materials from our doorsteps. We ran out of time and space for this month, and things are still in flux.
CPO 1 News November 2021
• CPO 1 November 9 meeting
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Development applications
• CPO 1 October meeting notes
Washington County News November 2021
• Commissioner District reapportionment
• Metro redistricting
• WashCo Town Hall
Join an advisory board, represent your community!
• Washington County Boards and Commissions
• Beaverton Advisory Boards
• THPRD Advisory Committees
Washington County News October 2021
• Proposed TVF&R Bond Measure 34-308 on November Ballot
• May 2022 primary
Road News September 2021
• Cornell Road closing through the tunnel
• Thompson Road realignment
• MSTIP 2023-2028 Funding Allocation Process Work Plan is in progress
WashCo News August 2021
• BCC gives green light to develop comprehensive substance use treatment center
• What is Middle Housing?
CPO 1 News July 2021
• No July or August meetings
• CPO 1 June Meeting Summary
• Neighborhood meetings
Washington County News July 2021
* Conflict at WashCo Planning Commission
* No fireworks ban for Washington County or nearby cities
CPO 1 News June 2021
• CPO 1 June meeting
Clean Water Services • Sheriff •
USPS
• CPO 1 May Meeting summary
Earth Month editorial
With some effects of climate change already upon us, we challenge Washington County to view all their actions through the lens of climate.
If we don’t stop contributing to the problem, our efforts at achieving equity will be meaningless. The powerful will find ways to avoid the consequences, and the rest of us will have to adapt to a planet that may not support the life we want for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Washington County should establish a Climate Challenge Task Force to advise all county divisions on how to establish goals, make climate friendly decisions, and implement sustainable practices. The Task Force needs to include representatives from commerce, industry, development, science, and community organizations.
We understand that it will take time and effort, but we must begin now. If you agree, send a message to your Washington County Commissioner and to the Chair.
County leaves ped-bike safety on the table
People who want safer routes for bicycles and pedestrians look to Washington County to, if not build them, at least encourage them. In some cases, a developer is required to build them when new houses go in.
CPO 1 News April 2021
• CPO 1 April meeting
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Development applications
• CCI news
• March CPO 1 Summary
Road News March 2021
• Upper Saltzman
• Filbert Sidewalk
• Thompson/Kenny road project
• Cornelius Pass now Highway 127
• Complete Streets Open House
Development News March 2021
• Access to the proposed Target store still in question
• Peterkort Sunset Subdivision extension approved
• No updates for Milltowner, Kirkland
CPO News March 2021
• CPO 1 March Meeting: Water When We Need It?!
• CPO 7 looks at bike-ped safety
• Middle Housing is coming to Washington County
• CPO 1 February meeting recap
• Public hearing on Catlin Gabel new middle school
• Cornell Farm new building
• New Touchmark building approved
Does the WCSO allow people to give anonymous complaints or comments?
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office actively seeks community input—we want to do our best! There are several ways to let us know how we’re doing, including methods for openly reporting so we can contact you if you would appreciate that, and anonymously reporting.
2021 County boards and committees openings
• Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council
• Behavioral Health Council
• Civil Service Commission
• Developmental Disabilities Council
• Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District (ESPD) Advisory Committee
• Housing Advisory Committee (HAC)
• orth Bethany County Service District for Roads Budget Committee
• Park and Recreation Advisory Board
• Public Health Advisory Council
• Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• Washington County and SDL No.1 Budget Committee
• Washington County Salary Commission
