Oregon Public Broadcasting

The public will get its chance Thursday night to weigh in on Washington County's long-term recommendations for where its cities should grow.  As Rob Manning reports, the 50-year expansion plans are already facing criticism from other government leaders.

Leading agriculture advocates are sounding the alarm over the county’s draft recommendations to develop more than 30,000 acres of farmland over the next 50 years.

Rod Park runs a nursery, but he also sits on the Metro Council – one of the government bodies that’ll evaluate Washington County’s plans for urban and rural reserves. 

Rod Park: “I think it’s way too much. I think they’re encroaching right into the heart of the farming areas. I would question, if we were to do that particular much, how much farming would remain in Washington County.”

County officials say the reserves are necessary for other uses. And they point out that the recommendation would protect more than 100,000 acres of farmland, elsewhere.

But ag advocates say that land is so far away from cities, it’s not likely to be developed, anyway.

Final decisions on the urban and rural reserves are still months away.