Metro District seeks to streamline annexation process under House Bill 2356 A

During a recent meeting of the Oregon Senate Committee on Housing and Development, significant discussions centered around the complexities of land use and annexation processes in the Metro region. A key focus was House Bill 2356 A, which aims to streamline the annexation process to the Metro District, addressing the challenges posed by the current system.

The meeting highlighted three critical boundary types that govern urban development: the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the Metro District boundary, and city limits. The UGB separates rural lands from areas designated for urbanization, while the Metro District boundary determines eligibility for certain services and voting rights within the district. Notably, these boundaries do not always align, complicating development efforts.

Currently, the annexation processes for the Metro District and individual cities are separate, leading to unnecessary costs and delays. For instance, the Metro District annexation application incurs a fee of $3,000 and requires two public meetings, often resulting in months of waiting for approval. This redundancy has been reported to hinder the issuance of building permits for residential projects already within the UGB.

Proponents of House Bill 2356 A argue that the existing Metro District annexation process is duplicative and does not provide additional value, as it primarily assesses whether a property is within the UGB. By simplifying this process, the bill aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, ultimately facilitating more efficient urban development.

The committee's discussions underscored the importance of addressing these regulatory challenges to promote timely housing solutions in the Metro region. As the bill moves forward, its potential to streamline annexation processes could significantly impact housing availability and urban growth in Oregon.