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Task force recommends a move to
center on land use
November 19,
2008
Klamath
Falls Herald and News Editorial
Oregon’s
battle over land use goes back
decades. Oregonians’ conflicted
thinking on the subject has been
evident in a long string of
statewide votes — at least six
that come quickly to mind — that
stretch back to the early 1970s
and waffle between more and less
restriction.
Perhaps if there is
something to be gleaned from
that history it’s that most
Oregonians want a system that is
built on good planning practices
and is fair — but have had a
hard time getting it.
The subject has been in and
out of the courts, some of whose
decisions overruled decisions
made by voters. And some of the
ballot measures have been in
response to court decisions.
It’s gone back and forth.
The latest approach taken by
state government looks for a
compromise. What actually
happens will depend on the state
Legislature, but there is much
to like in an approach
recommended by a state task
force that sends some power back
to the counties, even if it
comes with conditions.
The “‘Big Look” task force
was appointed by Gov. Ted
Kulongoski to deal with the
complaints about the state’s
land-use planning process, seen
by many in rural areas — such as
Klamath and Lake counties — as
too Salem-heavy and unresponsive
to areas outside the Willamette
Valley.
The task force held hearings
throughout Oregon, including
Klamath Falls, and apparently
listened. It is recommending
that there should be more
regional control over land-use
decisions that often come down
from the state capital as if all
areas have the same problems,
desires and histories.
Bringing more control back
to a regional level that
includes allowing two or more
counties to push for regional
definitions of such things as
farm and forest land won’t end
all of the land-use and planning
fights. But if the state
planning apparatus follows not
just the letter of the law but
the spirit, there should be
fewer of them.
Predictably, the
recommendations were met with
favor from local officials, such
as Klamath County Commissioner
Al Switzer, state Rep. Bill
Garrard and state Sen. Doug
Whitsett.
Changes are needed, but good
planning also remains important.
Commercial, residential and
recreational areas should have a
cohesion and order to them along
with a proper regard for
neighbors. And if local people
take an active interest, they
probably will.
Pat Bushey wrote today’s
editorial.
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