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Area 93 Update

The most recent Area 93 map. Click to enlarge.

On August 29, another step in the process to change the Multnomah/Washington County boundary was taken when the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners signed the agreement adopted earlier that week by the Washington County Commision. Following a proclamation from Gov. John Kitzhaber, the boundary change is to take effect on January 1, 2014.

The land transfer will conclude an unprecedented process of multi-jurisdictional cooperation that has involved state, regional and county officials working together with Area 93 property owners and neighboring communities. Legislation sponsored by Oregon Rep. Tobias Read and Sen. Betsy Johnson authorized the two counties to negotiate the 18-page agreement detailing how the transfer will work.

Area 93 was one of the parcels added into the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in 2002 by the regional agency, Metro. Once parcels are included in the UGB, they are supposed to be ready for developers to move in and build housing, commercial and other urban-type infrastructure. The problem with Area 93 was that it couldn’t be served by Portland—it was too far away from the city limits—and a few years later, the land between it and Portland became “rural reserve,” meaning it wouldn’t be added into the UGB for at least 50 years.

Multnomah County itself doesn’t do urban planning, nor does it provide urban services. Finally in early 2008 Metro agreed to provide Multnomah County with a $200,000 grant to facilitate a planning process using consultants and with participation from officials in both Portland and Multnomah County. Neighbors, community members and planners came together for meetings and workshops, and eventually a draft plan was issued.

By October 2010, however, it was obvious that despite their efforts, the provision of services—from planning how the land would be developed, to providing sewer and other needed amenities—would not be forthcoming from Portland. These services are available through annexation to special districts already serving the urban unincorporated residents of Washington County.

Property taxes for Area 93 taxpayers will increase as these additional services are provided. “Our goal has been to make this change of jurisdiction as close to revenue-neutral for our existing taxpayers as possible,” said Washington County Chair Andy Duyck. “Existing Washington County residents should not have to pay for public improvements needed in Area 93—those who benefit should pay for them.”

Landowners in the area currently include families who have lived there for years, and who have no intention of developing their land; families who are eager to sell their property for development; and those who have purchased parcels since the area first came into the UGB.

“The agreement adopted today lists the various county services Washington County will begin providing in place of Multnomah County on January 1, 2014.” Washington County spokesman Stephen Roberts continues, “Once the transition has occurred, Washington County planners intend to pick up where Multnomah County left off by engaging the community in a two-year process of planning for future development.” On August 15, Metro awarded a grant of $122,605 (full funding request) to support concept planning for Area 93 as part of its Community Planning and Development grants program.

Washington County has already begun the process of establishing “placeholder” zoning to take effect the moment the border shifts. The Future Development 20 (FD-20) designation is expected be replaced by the county’s R-5-6 zoning, which allows five or six dwellings per acre, the lowest-density designation currently allowed.

There is still much to be decided, including how to improve county roads in the area to handle increased traffic, and whether there will be commercial development as well as residential. Washington County Commissioner Greg Malinowski will represent the area. He and Chair Duyck visited CPO 1 on September 3 to present the latest information and discuss the next steps.

Visit Washington County's Area 93 page at: www.co.washington.or.us/area93 to get more information, and sign up for the newsletter on that page to stay informed.

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