Resolution No. 09-05 - Reaffirming the City's longstanding opposition to the urbanization of the Stafford Area and Urban Reserve

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Resolution 09-05 - Longstanding opposition to the urbanization of Stafford

A RESOLUTION OF THE WEST LINN CITY COUNCIL REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S LONGSTANDING OPPOSITION TO THE URBANIZATION OF THE STAFFORD AREA AND ITS OPPOSITION TO THE DESIGNATION OF THE AREA FOR URBAN RESERVES.

WHEREAS, in 1993, the City of West Linn, along with Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Clackamas County and the West Linn-Wilsonville School District; was a signatory of the Stafford Area Policy Position that opposed urbanization ofthe Stafford Area; and

WHEREAS, the City of West Linn has successfully opposed three previous attempts by Metro to expand the Urban Growth Boundary into the Stafford Area; and

WHEREAS, conditions related to the suitability of the Stafford Area for urbanization including: the high costs of extending water and sewer services, the inadequate transportation systems both in and surrounding the area, the steepness of the terrain, the negative impacts on streams and natural areas, and the area's limited capacity for development at expected urban densities remain and pose even greater barriers to achieving regional planning goals than previously; and

WHEREAS, the residents of West Linn and Lake Oswego are resistant to, urban expansion into Stafford and concerned over its impacts on their quality of life, as evidenced by voter approved charter amendments in both cities to require voter approval of annexations in the area; and

WHEREAS, the City of West Linn has recently stated its Growth Aspirations, consistent with its Comprehensive Plan, community surveys and the most recently updated Imagine West Linn vision document, that fundamentally recognizes the limits to growth that are created by existing jurisdictional and natural boundaries of other cities and the Willamette River as well as the logical transition to the rural character of the Stafford Area; and

WHEREAS, the City Council believes that cities are entitled to their own unique vision of their future, as expressed by their residents and taxpayers, that for West Linn is a livable and sustainable community within its present City limits;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WEST LINN CITY COUNCIL THAT:

Section 1: The Stafford Area should not be considered for a future Urban Growth Boundary expansion through an Urban Reserve designation and should be designated as Rural Reserve.

Section 2: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.

This resolution adopted by the West Linn City Council.