Page 42 - FY Annual Report 2017-18

House Bill 2017 transportation County supports cities’ growth plans
PLANNING STUDIES/PROJECTS IN FY 2017–18
aloha tomorroW
y The study developed
recommendations to refine the
community’s vision of a walkable,
livable Town Center in the TV
Highway/SW 185th Avenue area, a main street along
SW Alexander Street and high-capacity transit on TV
Highway. Recommendations on how Washington
County can support community, private sector and
agency partner investments were also included.
Completion: December 2017
urban design plan for
north bethany main street
y The North Bethany Main Street
area is about 13 acres in the middle of North
Bethany, centered around NW Kaiser Road. Planning
recommendations for the area included customized
design standards for both the Neighborhood
Commercial Mixed Use North Bethany District and
the higher-density residential districts along the
Kaiser Road frontage. The recommendations also
include street furnishings for the Main Street Area.
Completion: June 2018
Cooper mountain transportation study
y Building on the Washington
County Transportation Futures
Study, this study is evaluating
roadway network options to
move traffic more efficiently
and safely through the Cooper Mountain Area.
The project team is identifying benefits, costs,
opportunities and constraints associated with
several alternatives.
Expected completion: 2020
moVing forWard tV highWay
y The project will identify and
recommend ways to improve
bus speeds and reliability on
TV Highway between Cornelius Pass Road and
160th Avenue. The project also includes evaluation of
pedestrian and bicycle connections including possible
improvement to bus access through new sidewalks,
bicycle facilities and enhanced crosswalks.
Expected completion: 2019
39 | Partnering for the Future LUT Annual Report FY 2017–18
package to fund transit
Areas in Washington County that are out-
side of the TriMet and SMART (South Metro
Area Rapid Transit) boundaries were granted
funding for transit for the first time through
the July 2017 passage of House Bill 2017.
The HB 2017 state transportation package
included a 1 percent Public Transportation
Payroll tax to improve transit to low-income
households and to reduce service fragmen-
tation state wide. The new tax is expected
to generate about $49 million per year for
transit services within the TriMet District and
about $2.4 million per year for transit ser-
vices outside the TriMet District in Clacka-
mas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
TriMet is responsible for submitting a transit
plan to ODOT. TriMet asked LUT to convene
an advisory committee to develop a plan for
Washington County to provide transit ser-
vices outside the TriMet District and to make
first/last mile connections. This committee
worked with Ride Connection, which pro-
vides services in the rural area, to develop
the plan.
In FY 2018–19
In August 2018, TriMet’s Advisory Commit-
tee recommended plans for both inside
and outside the TriMet District to the TriMet
Board for action. Final plans will be submit-
ted to Oregon Department of Transporta-
tion for Oregon Transportation Committee
approval by late December 2018. Funds are
expected to be distributed through TriMet in
spring 2019.
For more on HB 2017, see the Director’s
Message, inside front cover.
Requests to expand the urban In FY 2017–18, Senior Planners Jes- “It’s our goal to make sure that
growth boundary (UGB) in three sica Pelz and Michelle Miller and future growth in the County and its
area cities could add 1,900 acres Principal Planner Erin Wardell eval- cities improves community livabil-
to Washington County’s urban area uated the plans’ impacts on the ity,” Wardell said. “Concept plan-
and up to 7,900 new homes. county transportation network. The ning sets the stage for safe, reli-
feedback they provided was instru- able transportation, housing, green
The cities of Beaverton, Hillsboro mental in having the cities’ plans spaces and economic stability.”
and King City are asking Metro to
approve UGB expansions to cre- acknowledged by the Washington The Metro Council, the elected gov-
ate more housing opportunities. County Board of Commissioners. erning board of Metro, will decide
But before the cities were able to The County then entered into inter- on the UGB requests in late 2018.
request the expansions, they had to governmental agreements with each If approved, County staff will assist
develop concept plans. That’s where city to coordinate the future growth cities through the comprehensive
LUT Long Range Planning staff and transportation planning associ- planning process.
got involved. ated with the concept plans.
TALK LIKE A PLANNER: Glossary of planning terms
Com•pre•hen•sive Plan: Ru•ral Re•serves:
A regulatory plan designed to implement Lands outside the UGB that are high-value
a vision for the future, including long-range goals working farms, forests or other lands with
and objectives for land use and transportation. natural features like rivers, wetlands, buttes and
May include regulatory requirements, such as floodplains. These areas will be protected from
development standards. urbanization for 50 years after their designation.
Con•cept Plan: Ur•ban Growth Bound•a•ry (UGB):
Plans that establish a framework for an area’s Under Oregon law, cities and metropolitan areas
future growth and development, including must establish an urban growth boundary around
housing, infrastructure, natural areas and their perimeters—a land use planning line to
recreational amenities. Concept plans are control urban expansion onto rural lands. Metro
deliberately high level to allow some manages the Portland metropolitan area’s urban
flexibility for future planning and zoning. growth boundary.
In•ter•gov•ern•men•tal A•gree•ment (IGA): Ur•ban Re•serves:
Any cooperative agreement that involves, or Lands outside the UGB deemed suitable for
is made between, two or more public agencies potential inclusion in the UGB to accommodate
to address issues of mutual concern. anticipated needs for urban development over
the 50 years after their designation.