Hillsboro is Highlighted for Possible Urban Expansion
State land-use law calls for Metro---the regional Portland metro area governmental body that deals with development and land across boundaries, including city and county lines---to monitor and adjust growth boundaries to account for population, job growth and housing projects 20 years in advance. As such, Metro has listed the leading candidates for expansion of urban growth boundary this fall, and Hillsboro is at the top of the list.
Specifically, Metro is eyeing 1,000 acres to Hillsoboro's south and 310 acres to the city's north, with the former allowing for the addition of 7,150 residences and the latter a good fit for primarily industrial development. This information comes directly from Metro's COO Dan Cooper, who released official recommendations yesterday.
The area that could potentially house industrial expansion is predominantly flat and adjacent to US 26, ideal for such a development. Also key is the city's history of providing infrastructure such as streets, water and sewer to newly-expanded areas, as well as their cooperation in bringing high-tech manufacturing to town over the last two decades.
As far as the southern, residential expansion area is concerned, Hillsboro has already created a concept plan that considers transportation, financing and parks and recreational areas, while protecting streams corridors and keeping in mind an overarching goal of 12 homes per buildable acre.
While the recommendations from Metro paint Hillsboro in a considerably favorable light, expansion to that area is not a foregone conclusion. Also on the table are south Cooper Mountain near Beaverton, Roy Rogers West near Tigard, and Cornelius south.
On Thursday, July 28th, at 5pm, the public can attend an open house and look at the recommendations. That open house will take place at the Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium.
