Agenda Item 4 - UGB Rulemaking <br />December 3-4, 2015 - LCDC Meeting <br />Page 40 of 56 <br />It is also important to note that the location (and priorities) rules are only applicable if a city <br />finds that it has a need deficiency (using other rules in the division), and has determined that the <br />deficiency cannot be reasonably accommodated on land already in the UGB (again, based on <br />other rules in the division), and therefore needs to expand its UGB. <br />0160: Establishment of Study Area to Evaluate Land for Inclusion in the UGB (Page 22) <br />Section (1) requires that, when evaluating lands for inclusion within the urban growth boundary, <br />the city shall establish a preliminary study area that includes all land within: <br />The city's acknowledged urban reserve, if any. <br />For cities under 10,000 (small cities) - a distance that is at least one-half mile miles in all <br />directions from the acknowledged UGB. <br />For cities over 10,000 (large cities) - a distance that is at least one mile in all directions <br />from the acknowledged UGB. <br />Furthermore, the department proposes that this distance must expand for any exception area that <br />lies partly within the distance above. For small cities, that additional expansion would be to a <br />distance that is at least one mile from the UGB, and for large cities, to a distance that is at least <br />one and one-half miles. <br />The proposed rules authorize a city to study a greater distance, at their discretion. <br />The department prepared maps to share with the UGBRAC for several test cities, showing the <br />existing UGB and concentric rings around the UGB at distances of one-quarter, one-half, one, <br />and two miles. From these maps, the department was able to calculate the acreage for typical <br />cities within the preset distances of its UGB. Building off the UGB maps, the department also <br />created an online interactive map showing not only the concentric rings but also possible <br />development constraints such as flood hazards, high-value farmland, landslides, and big game <br />habitat (link). With all of this information, the department was able to determine not only the <br />amount of land within a certain distance of a UGB but also the land that was actually suitable for <br />development. This testing helped inform the decision about these distances, included in this rule <br />section. <br />The department has proposed that the initial study area be a "preliminary study area" because <br />this area would later be reduced based on the exclusions described below. <br />Section (2) provides that a city may exclude land from the preliminary study area based on four <br />different criteria, described below. This is based on requirements in ORS 197A.320, modified <br />somewhat to provide necessary details to assist cities in interpreting the requirements. <br />Subsection (a): First the city may exclude land where it is impracticable to provide necessary <br />public facilities or services. Section (4), described below, is intended to assist cities with this <br />interpretation. <br />