MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

Council Chamber

Members Present:  Rod Park (Chair), Susan McLain, Rod Monroe

Members Absent:    None

Chair Park called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m.

1.  Consideration of the Minutes of the October 3, 2000, Growth Management Committee Meeting

2.  Development of Criteria for Exceptions to the Urban Growth Management Functional Plan

Andy Cotugno, Director of Planning, reviewed the history of implementing the Urban Growth Management Functional Plan (Functional Plan). He distributed a document outlining each jurisdiction's status of compliance with Titles 1, 2 and 3 of the Functional Plan. A copy of the document is included in the meeting record. He said the next step for Metro is to determine the criteria for allowing exceptions to the Functional Plan.

Mary Weber, Manager, Community Development, reviewed a memo from Mr. Cotugno to Mike Burton, Executive Officer, regarding Functional Plan Exception Process. A copy of the memo includes information presented by Ms. Weber and is included in the meeting record.

The committee discussed the potential conflict between connectivity (Title 5) and future fish and wildlife habitat protection (Goal 5) regulations.

Larry Shaw, Senior Assistant Counsel, said Title 6 includes provisions for natural impediments and hazards, such as creek crossings.

Mr. Cotugno added that Title 6 allows for topographical constraints, in addition to the natural and built environment.

Councilor McLain asked how the Council will address requests for map changes that are called "housekeeping" measures, but are actually indirect requests for exceptions. She said it is important to recognize the connection between the exceptions process and map amendments, and to recognize the accumulative effect of exceptions.

Chair Park said Councilor McLain raised a good point. He asked staff to return with additional work on the two parallel processes.

The committee discussed the process by which a citizen may question a jurisdiction's compliance with the Functional Plan. The process is outlined in Title 8.

Michael Morrissey, Senior Council Analyst, suggested rewording the questions on page seven to ask, would granting this exception negatively impact the 2040 Growth Concept on a regional level?

Ms. Weber said they would work on the wording of the questions further. Her goal with the questions is to address the nuances of each situation.

Councilor McLain asked for staff to include more detail on when an exception request would be referred to the Metro Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) to begin the conflict resolution process, as outlined in the Regional Urban Growth Goals and Objectives (RUGGO).

Councilor Monroe asked why King City wanted to an exception to the accessory dwelling unit requirement, and if Metro was inclined to grant its request.

Ms. Weber said King City's argument is that the city's housing stock is already small, and that physically, there is not enough room for accessory dwelling units. She said staff is inclined to agree with King City that allowing accessory dwelling units would add a very minimal number of units to its housing capacity.

Councilor Monroe said the requirement simply states that a city cannot prohibit accessory dwelling units. If the houses are too small for such units, then they will not be built. However, there may be cases in which a homeowner would wish to add an accessory dwelling unit, and he would not support a jurisdiction's request to prohibit them.

Ms. Weber said staff will further refine the questions on page seven of the memo, and will look at ways to clarify between map exceptions and technical changes. She said they will come before the committee again at its next meeting.

Councilor McLain thanked Ms. Weber and Brenda Bernards, Senior Regional Planner, for their work.

3.  Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection (Goal 5) Update

Mr. Cotugno reviewed the Final Draft Streamside CPR Program Outline (Vision Statement). A copy of the Vision Statement includes information presented by Mr. Cotugno, and is included in the meeting record. He said the Vision Statement will go to MPAC for consideration on October 25, 2000.

Councilor McLain noted that the Water Resource Policy Advisory Committee (WRPAC) agreed to this version of the Vision Statement.

Mark Turpel, Manager, Long-Range Planning, reviewed the WRPAC Utility Subcommittee recommendations, dated October 10, 2000. A copy of the recommendations is included in the agenda packet, which is part of the meeting record.

Mr. Cotugno noted that the next major staff effort will focus on upgrading the inventory information. In particular, staff will focus on the habitat adjacent to streams.

Chair Park asked Mr. Shaw for an update on the findings on the Land Needs Report.

Mr. Shaw said Metro received a number of comments on the Land Needs Report, and the legal findings would be presented to Council that Thursday.

4.  Councilor Communications

George Farris, 12050 Southeast Stevens Road, Suite 103, Portland, thanked the Council for its hard work and for the opportunity to speak. He said for the past three years, he has been working with developers and land owners on developing industrial land in Clackamas County, at 162^nd Avenue and Highway 212. He noted that Rock Creek runs through the property, and he said the developers are interested in donating the land along the creek for a park, bike lanes, or a trail. He said that low-income housing could be built on the property, allowing workers to live near their jobs. He encouraged the various jurisdictions to work with one another, and to work with developers, to find solutions and avoid prolonged court cases. He asked the Councilors for their support of his proposal.

Councilor Monroe said that the Clackamas County Commission was very interested in developing industrial land in that area. He noted that any request to amend the urban growth boundary would have to come from Clackamas County. He said Metro would then serve as a facilitator.

Mr. Farris said he has been working very closely with Clackamas County. He thanked the committee for its support.

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Park adjourned the meeting at 4:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Emmerson

Council Assistant

i:\minutes\2000\growth\101700gmm.doc

ATTACHMENTS TO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 2000

The following have been included as part of the official public record: