Growth Management Factsheet 20160115

Winter / 2016
Metro guide 2015 growth

management decision
What is this guide?

This guide explains the
reasons behind the Metro
Councils decision to not
expand the urban growth
boundary in 2015.
The region is
changing.
How we change says a lot
about what we value. The
Metro Councils decision
reflects changing trends in
our population and economy,
and makes a commitment
to creating housing and job
choices in places where
weve already planned for
growth, while protecting
farms and forests at the
regions edge. PREPARING FOR CHANGE
When will Metro next Holding the urban growth boundary
consider the urban
As the Portland region grows, how can In November 2015, the Metro Council
growth boundary?
The Metro Council plans we create housing and job opportunities decided unanimously to not expand
to take another look at the that fit peoples needs while protecting the growth boundary for the first time.
urban growth boundary in the farms and natural places that make This completed a 2-year process with
2018 three years sooner this a great place to live? Thats the extensive public input and technical
than required under state purpose of the Portland regions urban review of the analysis supporting the
law. growth boundary. decision.
The urban growth boundary was first The Councils decision reflects
created in 1979. Every six years, state communities success around the region
law requires Metro to assess whether in planning for growth and supporting
there is a need for more land inside the investment in vacant or neglected
boundary to make room for the next properties in downtowns and along
20 years of housing and job growth. major transportation routes. It also
Since 1979, the Metro Council has reflects changing needs of households
expanded it by around 32,000 acres an in the region and ongoing challenges
area the size of six Forest Parks or two in producing housing and jobs in areas
Hillsboros. added to the boundary in the past.
Past expansions of the
urban growth boundary
Why the Metro Council A changing population needs different kinds of

housing.
decided not to expand the
growth boundary in 2015 Those new households will be smaller, older and have
less spending power than our growth in the past. Sixty-
The Portland region is growing. But that growth looks eight percent will have one or two people. Fifty percent
different which means our land needs do, too. will be headed by someone 65 years or older. Sixty
percent will have annual income of less than $50,000.
The regions quality of life and strong economy
will continue attracting people. More new housing will be apartments and
condos, but most homes will still be single-family
About 400,000 additional people are expected inside houses.
the regional boundary between 2015 and 2035. Thats
more than currently live in Hillsboro, Gresham, Today, most people in the Portland region live in single-
Beaverton and Tigard, combined. family houses. About two-thirds of housing units in
the region are single-family houses.
About two-thirds of the regions population growth
comes from migration, primarily from California and In 20 years, most people will still live in single-family
Washington. houses, but the split will have shifted somewhat: Sixty
percent of housing units will be single-family in 2035.
By 2035, Metro expects about 195,000 more households
that is, one or more people living in a single house or In short, we have enough land.
apartment in the region.
Existing city and county plans and the amount of
Most of this population growth is expected to occur vacant or developable land already inside the boundary
in downtowns and along transit corridors around the provide more than enough room for all the new
region, with a large share within Portlands city limits. housing we expect to need over the next 20 years.
Buildable land inside
the existing boundary
Job growth is expected to continue. Some fields

will do especially well.
Challenges to address
The Portland region is not exempt from many of the
About 260,000 additional jobs are expected inside the challenges cities and regions across the country are
regional boundary between 2015 and 2035. facing today, including many places that dont have
urban growth boundaries.
Job growth is expected to be particularly strong in Even if the growth boundary expanded this year, these
health care (18 percent of the new jobs), construction (11 would still be challenges to address. Among them:
percent of the new jobs) and professional services such
How do we create and protect housing options
as architecture, engineering and legal (9 percent of the
that fit peoples budgets and preferences, while
new jobs).
protecting qualities of existing neighborhoods?
The region is expected to maintain its historic strength How do we build stable middle-income jobs and
in manufacturing, but this sector will only account for help more people have access to them?
1 percent of the new jobs.
How do we pay for roads, pipes and basic
infrastructure for new development, while also
There is enough room in the boundary for the
maintaining our existing infrastructure?
jobs we expect.
How do we get more job land ready for
There are thousands of acres of employment land, both development, clean up polluted sites, attract new
vacant and redevelopable, already inside the boundary. employers and retain the employers already here?
There are 6,790 buildable industrial acres inside the In making its 2015 growth management decision, the
boundary thats like 10 downtown Portlands. Metro Council recognized these challenges and agreed
to keep working with local governments, non-profits,
There are also 3,750 buildable commercial acres thats businesses and the public to find solutions.
like the retail area of 100 Washington Square malls.
About Metro
Clean air and clean water do
not stop at city limits or county
lines. Neither does the need for
jobs, a thriving economy, and
sustainable transportation and
living choices for people and
businesses in the region. Voters
have asked Metro to help with
the challenges and opportuni-
ties that affect the 25 cities and
three counties in the Portland
metropolitan area.
A regional approach simply

makes sense when it comes to
providing services, operating
venues and making decisions
about how the region grows.
Next steps for managing our growth
Metro works with communities
to support a resilient economy, A lot of attention gets paid to the decision about whether to expand the urban
keep nature close by and growth boundary. But its just a small part of what local and regional leaders do
respond to a changing climate. to create housing and job opportunities for the residents of today and tomorrow.
Together were making a great
When making its growth management decision, the Metro Council also agreed to
place, now and for generations
to come. keep working with partners around the region on these vital efforts.
Metro Council President

Tom Hughes
The Council also included these directions for Metro staff:
1. Take another look at the urban growth boundary in three years.
Metro Council
2. Continue working with Clackamas County and Multnomah County to
Shirley Craddick, District 1
Carlotta Collette, District 2 finalize a 50-year plan for where we will grow if urban growth boundary
Craig Dirksen, District 3 expansions are needed, and get approval of that map from state regulators.
Kathryn Harrington, District 4
(Washington Countys portion of the map is already final.)
Sam Chase, District 5
Bob Stacey, District 6 3. Work with partners to explore possible improvements to the regions growth
management process.
Auditor
Brian Evans 4. Monitor and report on housing and job trends on an ongoing basis, including
through regular Regional Snapshots, and work with regional partners to
complete more research on housing preferences and needs.
More information on the urban
Stay informed: Regional Snapshots

growth boundary can be found at
oregonmetro.gov/ugb
Everyone who lives in this region has a stake in its future. And the future can
change quickly. Metros new Regional Snapshots program tracks key issues like
housing, jobs and transportation.
Every quarter explores a different topic, using infographics, interviews with experts
and residents, and thought-provoking conversations and events.
Follow the stats and read personal stories of our changing region on Metros
Printed on recycled-content paper. Job 16XXX
Regional Snapshots. Visit oregonmetro.gov/snapshot.

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Winter / 2016

Metro guide 2015 growth

What is this guide?

Why the Metro Council A changing population needs different kinds of

Job growth is expected to continue. Some fields

A regional approach simply

Metro Council President

Stay informed: Regional Snapshots

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