Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Portland area would expand its urban growth boundary under a complex set of recommendations unveiled Tuesday.

Metro's chief operating officer, Mike Jordan, says there's space for at least 30,000 additional homes within the existing boundary. He says that's enough land for future growth, if the region is expecting growth to come slowly over the next 20 years.

But Jordan advises adding thousands of acres, potentially, under an assumption of moderate growth.

Mike Jordan: "It is the place where it is the highest probability that the future will fall, and politically, it's the place where you're the least vulnerable to attacks from either end of the spectrum."

Jordan says the first new area to see residential development should be South Hillsboro. After that, he lists areas near Cornelius, Wilsonville, Oregon City and Sherwood as good expansion candidates.

Jordan's recommendation begins a six-week public comment period, and will result in a final council vote in December.