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Gorge Commission sets timeline and orientation for management-plan review, flags ADUs and agriculture as early topics
Summary
Commission staff outlined plans to begin commissioner orientation next spring and to sequence a management-plan review (branded Gorge 2030) that will include deep dives on accessory dwelling units and agricultural income tests; staff said county consultations are underway and completion in two years is possible if resourced.
Commission staff told commissioners they plan a management-plan orientation in spring 2027 and expect to sequence substantive review of key topics afterward as part of a process informally called "Gorge 2030." The orientation will help new commissioners navigate the nearly 500-page management plan before the commission pursues deep-dive topics.
Executive Director Christina said staff are meeting one-on-one with county planning departments to solicit feedback and that staff have identified accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and agricultural income tests (and farmland-protection provisions) as initial deep-dive topics. "We really feel like we can do this in two years," Christina said, noting the timeline depends on final budget and staff capacity.
Staff described the need for substantial public outreach, formation of work groups similar to the last plan-review cycle, and an orientation program to make the large document manageable for commissioners. Commissioners asked that a public-facing at-a-glance meeting schedule be posted and circulated to county planning partners; staff said they will post an electronic version and distribute printed handbooks to county planning offices.
Why it matters: the management-plan update will shape land-use rules and guidance across the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and affect county ordinances, local planning, and post-disaster rebuilding standards. Commissioners also discussed longer-term visioning (suggested "Gorge 2050") and the need to incorporate climate and equity issues into the review.
Next steps: staff will continue county consultations, prepare an orientation schedule, and report back with a proposed timeline tied to final budget allocations and staffing levels.
