In its first-ever “land swap,” Metro agreed Thursday, Feb. 2, to allow Tigard to move forward with the next phase of River Terrace, two years ahead of schedule, by expanding Tigard’s urban growth boundary.
On Thursday, the Metro Council approved Tigard’s River Terrace 2.0 — 500 acres of land near Southwest Roy Rogers Road, between Scholls Ferry and Beef Bend roads — for urban development.
The move allows Tigard to get a jump-start on building 4,500 new homes in a wide range of types, sizes, and prices, according to Tigard officials.
Metro typically expands the UGB every six years or so. The River Terrace 2.0 expansion is unusual in that it’s happening “mid-cycle” — between the normally scheduled reviews. Metro last expanded the UGB in 2018.
Because the Tigard expansion is happening early, Metro is carrying out a so-called land swap. The total amount of land within the UGB isn’t changing — as the UGB expands on the Westside, it will contract slightly in Clackamas County, southeast of Portland.
Two parcels, one on the eastern edge of the former city of Damascas; the other in the Park Place area outside of Oregon City, will be temporarily subtracted from the UGB.
“The Metro Council voted 7-0 to approve the UGB exchange so that we can encourage housing construction as soon as possible in the greater Portland region. The council remains committed to helping all of our communities prepare areas within the urban growth boundary for future housing construction,” Ted Reid, a principal regional planner for Metro, wrote in an email Thursday afternoon.
Reid added that the land swap “shows how our region can be adaptable and responsive in its growth management responsibilities, while also upholding our commitment to protecting farms and forests.”
The Clackamas County parcels have been in the urban growth boundary for more than two decades but have not advanced in their readiness to provide both housing and jobs, Metro officials have previously said.
Metro has been enthusiastic about the fact that River Terrace 2.0 will contain dwellings that address a “missing middle” planning concept. That includes a mix of townhomes, cottages, duplexes and other living spaces that are less common than a typical large-scale apartment complex. Because they are smaller than a standalone house, those dwellings are less expensive and attract a more diverse population, planners say.
Tigard Mayor Heidi Leub had previously wrote of her support for the land swap in a letter submitted to Metro.
“If we are to meet Governor (Tina) Kotek’s ambitious goals for housing production in the state, we will need to start planning for the kinds of communities that are accessible for everyone,” Lueb wrote.
Kenny Asher, Tigard’s community development director, praised Metro’s decision as well.
“We applaud the Metro council and staff for figuring out a way to get this done,” Asher said in a news release. “We know that new development is only part of the answer to the housing crisis, but every new unit helps, and our intention is to write codes for this neighborhood that push the envelope on equity and carbon-responsibility.”
River Terrace 2.0 contains two areas of property, separated on either side of Southwest Roy Rogers Road. When completed, it will contain new roads, parks, open spaces and commercial areas, adding to the larger subdivision, which held its grand opening for homes on the west side of Roy Rogers Road and south of Scholls Ferry Road in March 2017.
While favored by Metro, the majority of Clackamas County commissioners were none too keen on the idea.
“Clackamas County is not willing to be a donor county while other jurisdictions expand their housing and jobs lands inventory at the sacrifice of Clackamas’ great land base,” Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith wrote in a letter to the Metro Council.
The parcels that have been temporarily taken out of the UGB in Clackamas County are likely to be added back into the UGB after Metro’s mid-decade review. It isn’t clear yet what other changes the Metro Council may approve to the UGB at that time.
Meanwhile, Tigard officials say the community will help shape the development of River Terrace 2.0 over the next two years as plans are made.
Construction could begin as soon as spring 2026.