SB 566: Fixing The Urban Growth Boundary in the Metro Service District

SB 566 was critical in order to grow development in Washington County and all that falls under the Metro’s jurisdiction. The purpose of SB 566 is to fix a flaw in defining the urban growth boundary and urban/rural reserves that was created in SB 1011 of the 2007 legislative session. There was a list of criteria that determined how the land would be classified, and the #1 determinant on that list was the quality of the soil. Statewide planning required that high quality soil be protected, even if it fell within the urban growth boundary. Because Metro, and particularly Senate District 15, is inundated with high quality soil, Metro had effectively locked up further development for the next 50 years. 

SB 566 brushes aside the former criteria. Now, when Metro studies urban reserves that fall within the urban growth boundary, it does not have to consider the criteria as it relates to the quality of land. Urban reserve land can be developed within the next 50 years if it is deemed beneficial to the district. On the other hand, the rural reserves will remain untouched and protected for the next 50 years.