Ag Rezoning Proposal Draws Fire
February 04, 2009
Author: CFM Staff
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The Big Look Task Force proposal to allow pairs of counties to remap and rezone farmland attracted a lot of opposition this week at its first public hearing before the House Land Use Committee.
A parade of witnesses said local governments cannot be trusted to preserve valuable farmland in the face of pressure from land developers.
One witness said, "Give us a land use reform that is a legacy, not a lottery."
Big Look Task Force members framed their recommendations after three years of study, which included a finding that some farmland may not be worth protecting. That led to a recommendation permitting pairs of counties to develop what would amount to a regional land-use scheme, including, potentially, their own definition of high-value farmland. That's what sparked so much opposition at the hearing.
A few witnesses also criticized the task force's recommendation to add four over-arching, but non-binding goals to the land-use system. They said the goals would be more confusing than useful.
The 1.7 million person population growth forecast relied on by the task force was challenged as inflated.
House Land Use Chair Mary Nolan, D-Portland, said a second hearing, with opportunity for evening testimony, will be held on House Bill 2229 next week.
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