Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s land-use agency has recommended approving the Portland region’s controversial long-term plans for where to grow in the next 50 years.

Metro and three Portland-area counties crafted the rural and urban reserves proposal to provide certainty about where land can be developed, and what will remain farms or forest.

Staff at the Department of Land Conservation and Development says the plan is legally sound.

Richard Whitman is the agency’s director.

Richard Whitman: “It’s a very general standard that’s been set by the state for the decision-making, and there’s a lot of leeway to Metro and the counties on this.”

Developers object to the plan, saying it protects too much land. Conservation groups like 1000 Friends of Oregon, say the state is allowing too much development on sensitive farmland.

Mary-Kyle McCurdy is that group’s attorney.

Mary-Kyle McKurdy: “The state is supposed to apply the law, and say ‘no, those are the areas that should be protected,’ and they didn’t.”

State land-use commissioners will rule on the plan at a Portland meeting in late October.