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Area 93/Bonny Slope West planning continues

Bonny Slope West is an approximately 160-acre parcel of land that was brought into the Metro Urban Growth Boundary way back in 2002. Landowners in the area responded in various ways. Some immediately sold their land to developers, or received payments for options on their land. Some had no interest in future development, preferring the semi-rural lifestyle afforded by big lots near the relatively unspoiled creeks that run through the middle of the area.

Because it was located in unincorporated Multnomah County, and separated from Portland by land designated as a Rural Reserve, there were difficulties in figuring out jurisdictions to plan and to later serve the anticipated urbanization.

As of January 1, 2014, it became part of Washington County. Before any development can take place, a master plan must be developed. The Long Range Planning division of Washington County’s Land Use and Transportation Department (LUT) is managing the process to decide the big-picture parameters, including roads, schools and parks, natural areas, and varying levels of density. The project's goal is to complete the Bonny Slope West Community Plan in 2015, which will include presenting the plan to the Washington County Planning Commission and the Washington County Board of Commissioners in the fall. 

There are several groups working on the various aspects of the plan. The Board of County Commissioners asked the Washington County Planning Commission to take an advisory role in the process, and the PC has been holding a series of public meetings to discuss issues and gather public comments. Each of these meetings focuses on one aspect of planning. The December 3 meeting brought the PC up to speed on the process so far. The December 17 meeting covered open spaces, parks, and transportation issues. A third PC advisory meeting is scheduled for January 21 to discuss infrastructure funding and school siting issues, at 6:30 pm in the auditorium of the Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave., Hillsboro. An additional PC advisory meeting may be held in February 2015.

A Technical Advisory Committee, comprised of service providers (school, parks, etc.), Metro, Portland, and Multnomah County representatives, and other county agencies, has been meeting since June to provide input and feedback to the Project Management team. This ensures that the final proposal will be technically feasible and realistic.

Community Open Houses were held in April and October 2014, and another is planned for January 26 (see sidebar). Many landowners and neighbors have been showing up for these meetings, but they’re open to everyone who will be affected by the development, so now is the time to make your concerns known!

You can sign up for updates, meeting notices, and other information about Bonny Slope West via a link on this web page.

Community input is also welcome: you can submit comments in the Online Public Comments box toward the bottom of the Public Involvement page, by emailing comments to lutplan@co.washington.or.us, or by calling LUT at 503-846-3519.

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