Page 62 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 3: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM SECTOR

Challenges Opportunities
County land use codes do not provide a 1) With input from rural tourism stakeholders,including rural
clear and understandable framework for residents, revise County land use regulations to adopt state laws [e.g.
the development and operation of rural SB960 and 841] that address use of rural land for agritourism, to
tourism attractions. State law seems to supplement individual farm profit while limiting impacts of traffic,
suggest limitations that make many rural parking, and noise on the rural environment.
tourism activities difficult to implement. 2) Present educational forums and workshops to help rural
Rural tourism operators, as well as tourism stakeholders understand County codes and the state law
government and nonprofit staff, need framework.
education and training.
The County has not taken a policy position 1) Partner with rural tourism stakeholders, including rural residents, to
or developed a rural tourism strategy for create a rural tourism strategic plan to provide a planning and policy
the future of rural tourism. framework to support rural tourism expansion in a way that is suitable
to County residents. This rural tourism study is one big step toward
developing such a plan and is intended to find out what parameters for
rural tourism may be suitable to the community. This has also been the
emphasis of past agritourism outreach by the County.
2) Consider participating in Travel Oregon’s Rural Tourism Studio
model to accomplish this planning.
There is a perception from most of the 1) Review Department of Land Use and Transportation staffing levels,
interviewees that County staff could be consistent messaging and accessibility.
more supportive of rural operations that 2) Develop rural tourism publication(s) and web pages for landowners
are trying to thrive as successful rural indicating permitted activities and the processes necessary to
tourism businesses. obtain permission for rural tourism activities. Consider a single
point of contact or ombudsperson to facilitate rural tourism related
discussions and decisions.
Traffic on rural roads will increase with Consider the needs of rural tourism (e.g. adequate roads, turn outs,
population growth and rural tourism bikeways, tour routes, bus parking, carpooling to events, parking
activity, likely resulting in conflicting spaces) in future rural transportation planning.
demands from a variety of road users.
Road safety may decline.
Poor business development decisions, The Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon Farm
including rural tourism development, by Bureau, Soil and Water Conservation District, The Small Business
land owners can threaten the viability of Development Center (SBDC) at Portland Community College, and
existing farms. others may provide focused services to farmers considering an
agritourism operation. The SBDC and Oregon State University Austin
Business Program also can help with farm succession.
Expanding vacation home rental by Consider developing a policy to make these services part of a broader
owner or via use of Airbnb/VRBO, etc. Washington County rural tourism strategy.
is increasing the number of “under the
radar” rural home stays and farm stays.

58 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY