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How Does LUBA's Ruling Affect Beavercreek?
In 1997 Metro identified over 18,000 acres around its boundary as Urban Growth Boundary Reserves. Over 3,000 of those acres are located in Beavercreek and are identified as Areas 25 and 26.
For the past two years approximately 10 appeals regarding these Urban Growth Boundary Reserves have been under consideration with the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). On February 26, 1999, LUBA made a ruling to reject all Urban Growth Boundary Reserves primarily because some reserves include "protected lands," i.e.: Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) lands and Agricultural/Timber lands. The two Reserves identified with "protected lands" were in the Stafford area and the St. Mary's area.
On Thursday, March 11, 1999, Metro appealed LUBA's decision. When discussing this appeal with a Metro attorney, we were informed that until Metro's appeal is settled, Urban Growth Boundary Reserves would remain as is.
In an effort to clarify what a Metro "Boundary" and "Urban Growth Boundary Reserve" are, a description follows:
Metro's Boundary is the area under Metro's jurisdiction. It is an area that is urbanized with dense residences, services and industry.
Metro's Urban Growth Boundary Reserves are areas identified for future inclusion in Metro's Boundary. Areas identified as Reserves may not make any boundary or zoning changes. Growth is minimized until master planning of the area is completed.
So, what does all this mean to you, the residents of Beavercreek?
Honestly, we don't know for sure. We hope it will give us more time to try to remove Areas 25 and 26 from Metro's Urban Growth Boundary Reserves. The BCCP is in constant contact with our political leaders in an attempt to permanently remove Areas 25 and 26.
Oregon City is currently considering sending a letter to Metro requesting the permanent removal of Areas 25 and 26.
In the meantime, the BCCP is continuing its work to bring the incorporation of Beavercreek as a city to election in November 2000.
Another question might be... if Areas 25 and 26 were removed as Urban Growth Boundary Reserves would we want or need to consider the incorporation of Beavercreek as a city?
Currently Beavercreek is governed by Clackamas County. Clackamas County is a very large County making Beavercreek a small fish in a large lake. Oregon City has been actively annexing areas in the direction of Beavercreek. In 1997 the County Market Committee and the Business Roundtable of Clackamas County created a map identifying 982 acres in Beavercreek as industrial and commercial "employment" sites. If the residents of Beavercreek want to take responsibility, plan it's future and implement a city with "quality of living" as a priority, the answer to the question would be "yes."
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