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Committee asks for wildfire risk review as part of UGB planning
Summary
CAC members asked that the Oregon Department of Forestry or other hazard experts review candidate areas for wildfire risk before any decisions on UGB expansion, noting mountainous southern parcels are especially vulnerable.
Committee members asked consultants and staff to bring wildfire-risk expertise into the UGB discussion before the city considers expanding into steep or mountainous parcels. One member said: "Have we had or can we have an evaluation done by ODF, the Oregon Department of Forestry, to come through and evaluate these potential areas of growth for hazardous builds?" citing the challenge and cost of protecting development in high-risk areas.
Andrew Parrish (MIG) replied that wildfire risk is among the statutory criteria cities must consider for UGB amendments and that inviting the Department of Forestry and other experts to comment is a reasonable next step. He said the consultants would work with city staff to identify the right agencies to consult and to incorporate wildfire and hazard evaluation into the criteria used to screen candidate expansion areas.
The committee agreed that hazard screening should include both lands outside the UGB that might be added and steeper, potentially constrained sites inside the existing boundary. Members noted that wildfire risk, access to utilities, and topography all affect the feasibility and cost of new development.
