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Stafford's future taking shape

Land use - After months of negotiations, a coalition moves closer to a vision statement

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
DANA TIMS
The Oregonian

A fragile coalition of landowners, in an area that has long pitted pro-growth forces against those favoring open spaces and preservation, is ready to take a major step in a process now guided by mediation and self-governance.

A series of 10 neighborhood meetings in the 3,900-acre Stafford basin south of Lake Oswego will culminate next weekend in a town hall meeting. Discussions at the meeting Saturday could go a long way toward producing the vision statement expected to steer the area's future.

"All parties are still at the table and working hard toward consensus," said Tanner Halton, a Stafford resident. "We all understand that some growth is going to occur here so getting full input from everyone at this point remains critical."

For years, deep divisions have split Stafford, which remains high on Metro's radar screen for inclusion within the region's urban growth boundary. In fact, Stafford has been tapped for higher density development before, only to have Metro's decision to include it tossed out by a state appeals court.

In 2006, the area's 2,200 residents came together to form the Stafford Hamlet, a quasi-governmental body allowed for areas of unincorporated Clackamas County. In recognition of dramatically differing views of how the process should proceed, they are now aided by a consulting firm approved by the Oregon Consensus Program.

"This whole process was born out of conflict," said Laurie Matthews, project manager with MIG Consultants of Portland. "It's fair to say that this process wasn't always headed in a positive direction."

Surrounding cities are watching the process, knowing that any large-scale development in Stafford would have significant impacts on area roads and services.

"We're talking about the potential to put really heavy new traffic loads on roads that haven't been upgraded since about 1910," said Wilsonville Mayor Charlotte Lehan, who is now running for Clackamas County commissioner. "Stafford is just such a beautiful place that we can't afford to screw it up without really considering the impact of the decisions made there."

Some area residents say they've heard of preliminary plans by some Stafford commercial interests to put up five-story office buildings and a resort in an area now typified by five-acre parcels and farmland, but no formal proposals have been filed.

Dave Adams, a Stafford resident who quit the hamlet board so he could speak out more openly about the process, said he would continue to oppose any such large-scale development.

"We have a unique opportunity in Stafford," he said. "It would be tragic to waste it."

The Saturday townhall meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at Athey Creek Middle School, 2900 S.W. Borland Road, West Linn.

Dana Tims:503-294-5973; danatims@news.oregonian.com.

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