Nearly two months have passed since voters rejected a push to more than double the size of North Plains, and city leaders are beginning to reevaluate what growth for the small rural town could look like.
Community members packed Jessie Mays Community Center during a city council meeting Monday, July 15, voicing concerns about the timeline for reestablishing an urban growth boundary proposal and determining who will be involved in the discussions.
Drafted by city staff and planning consultant 3J Consulting, the proposed "relook" focuses on increasing public involvement and expanding the Project Advisory Committee to gather feedback for a new development plan.
Calls for improved communication from the city arose after North Plains leaders approved an 855-acre boundary expansion in September 2023, marking what would have been the largest UGB expansion by percentage in the state.
Fearing the impact on farmland and the loss of small-town charm, residents and neighbors formed The Friends of North Plains Smart Growth, a coalition aiming to overturn the city council's decision. After a yearlong battle riddled with petitions, new legislation and lawsuits, 72% of city voters opposed the proposed growth.
“While not bound by the results of the ballot measure, the city of North Plains recognizes that more work is needed to arrive at a UGB expansion recommendation that has the support of community members and ensures a sustainable financial future for the city,” city staff wrote in meeting documents.
Taking a new look
Despite city leaders taking steps forward, multiple community members are urging to put on the brakes.
When North Plains first pursued plans for residential development, the city cited how the state requires cities to plan land-use for 20 years in the future. But the Department of Land Conservation & Development recently clarified that cities with populations below 10,000 are not required to update comprehensive plans regularly. Portland State University estimated that North Plains had a population of 3,663 in 2023.
During the public comment period, resident Mike Shurts questioned the city's push for a UGB increase when it is not mandated. Mayor Teri Lenahan said the new analysis stems from the need for future planning, regardless of state requirements.
“My personal opinion is that we need to plan for the future, and so when we are talking about relooking at an urban growth boundary expansion, we're looking at it for the future for the community down the road,” Lenahan said. “This isn't going to happen overnight, but we also need to be having that conversation so that we can leave this place better than we found it.”
While Shurts acknowledged the importance of proactive planning, he emphasized that massive expansion could be detrimental to local agriculture.
“I think that planning for the future is good … I think there needs to be limitations on the acreage that is expanded upon. We need to protect farmland at all costs, because once it's gone, it's gone,” Shurts said. “We have plenty of time to do this smart — not just push it through fast — and get the entire community involved.”
City leaders aim to amend the urban growth boundary by December of this year at the latest, a timeline many community members viewed with skepticism.
Aaron Nichols, a nearby farmer who has been at the helm of The Friends of North Plains Smart Growth, spoke up to say that the relook is a good starting place, but the process will need more time than is outlined.
“There is no rush here. As the DLCD has acknowledged, North Plains is not required to expand at this time, and that means we have the luxury of enough time to do this right,” Nichols said. “Friends of North Plains Smart Growth supports a process that would start at the beginning and ask citizens what they want to see in North Plains in 20 years. This process will likely take more than a year and needs both time and flexibility to be successful and trusted.”
Nichols also questioned the relevance of the data used for the planning process, including the city’s housing needs analysis.
“The latest Portland State University population numbers, which form the basis of the (housing needs analysis), predict over 2,000 fewer people in North Plains than previously projected. Similarly, circumstances have changed since the last (economic needs analysis). We need to determine if those documents are still relevant and, if so, how to adapt them to current realities,” Nichols said.
A city divide
The city council also addressed the need to boost communication, host interactive community meetings and expand the Project Advisory Committee. Potential representatives could include residents or individuals from unincorporated areas, but the city made it clear that certain voices would not be included.
During the meeting, one resident nominated Nichols as a "recognized leader" dedicated to the issue, for the committee. But Lenahan said Nichols would not qualify because he lives in Hillsboro.
“Aaron does not fit our criteria,” Lenahan stated.
Previously, council members have raised concerns about outside influence from people who live outside of North Plains city limits, but neighbors argue they should be a part of the conversation.
John Platt, owner of Helvetia Vineyards & Winery, spoke to the way that he finds himself embedded in the community despite living outside.
“As a vineyard and winery owner, I get into North Plains about three times a week; whether it's for food, fuel, parts or auto repairs,” Platt said. “Rather than being known as an outsider, I'd like to think of myself more as a stakeholder. And like many other people who farm directly around North Plains, we depend upon North Plains as part of our business.”
While many from surrounding towns have become involved in the issue, those outside city limits could not vote in the election that saw nearly 3-in-4 people turn down the UGB expansion.
Rather than bringing people together, the proposed expansion has reverberated conflict throughout the city — creating rifts between residents.
“I feel like this urban growth boundary has created such a divide in this town, to the point where I'm not even excited to go to the Garlic Festival this year,” resident Keri Davenport said. “I feel like our town is so divided over politics and the things that weren't announced properly.”
What happens next?
Lenahan said after that meeting that she was "pleased" with the turnout at the council meeting, and looks forward to future conversations, albeit squarely with residents of North Plains.
“The North Plains City Council dedicated significant time at the meeting to consider expanding the advisory committee to include a broader range of voices, especially those who previously felt uncomfortable with the adopted expansion. The Council genuinely wants to hear from these voices,” Lenahan said in a statement following the meeting.
“Ultimately, however, the focus is on the North Plains residents planning their future together. They co-own the city's infrastructure, parks and services, and fund these through their property taxes,” she said. “Therefore, it is crucial that their voices, whether in support or opposition, are not overshadowed by those from distant opponents. The City Council looks forward to the process it laid out to follow.”
As the city council plans to refine new plans, Nichols emphasized the importance of including new voices on the project committee, rather than repeating past mistakes.
“We need to see a committee that reflects the majority in North Plains, not a rerun of the same people who came to the previous ordinance which was incorrect, unpopular, and unsupported by the facts,” Nichols said.
“We realize this is a first draft and look forward to the city taking the time it needs to adjust the proposal to get real buy-in. However, if this relook results in the same people coming to a substantially similar conclusion — that massive growth is the best path for a small rural city — then our group will do our best to ensure that this proposal meets the same fate as its predecessor,” he said.
The city council is slated to vote to approve the proposed “relook” on Monday, Aug. 5.
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