Editor’s Note: The Friends of Smart Growth is a local group strengthening in number and purpose as Washington County farmland and its value to our communities continue to be attacked by city and state agencies. Forced Growth is real; it is happening. Outside interests continue to press for Urban Growth Boundary expansions against the will of the citizens. Now, Governor Kotek is coming to Hillsboro to host a listening post-meeting before she adds 373 acres to the UGB. for another tech facility, which may or may not produce jobs and economic benefit. The battle is on, and the energy is palpable. The wave of concerned citizens is rising from Helvetia and North Plains to Hillsboro and Scholls. If you care, you need to sign his petition. https://www.friendsofsmartgrowth.org/petition?fbclid=IwY2xjawFpETtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcE2ztXE60WTfEoVBT-UKDf8B3GVMCEkS4MJBra-hF-F-pHV51F3g8_l8w_aem_fHxKK9xqOC0WUiflSfkbgw If you are not sure to read on. The following is a post by the Friends of Smart Growth and Save Helvetia.
Dear Friends of Farmland and Wise Planning,
Here are 6 reasons to oppose this land grab:
- We have the land: There are over 10,000 acres of land inside existing UGBs that is currently zoned industrial. Hillsboro alone has 1,475 acres of industrial land available for development inside its UGB, and Intel has at least 100 acres of undeveloped space.
- The state should not reward Hillsboro for squandering industrial land: Hillsboro received 1000 acres of industrial land in 2014, but instead of stewarding this land for big opportunities, the city has wasted hundreds of acres on data centers and warehouses that use up tremendous amounts of land, energy, and water while producing few jobs and taxes.
- The facility does not need this much land: NY CREATES, currently “the largest and most cutting-edge semiconductor research center in the nation,” takes up just 73 acres.
- The land is some of the best farmland in the world: This rich and unique soil was deposited here thousands of years ago by the Missoula Floods. Regardless of what is planted in it today, it can grow anything. And it sequesters carbon and provides habitat while growing crops.
- Intel should not receive more giveaways: Despite receiving $8.5 billion in CHIPS Act dollars, and $800 million in state property tax breaks between 2018 and 2023 alone, Intel is laying off 15% of its workforce and has several vacant buildings on its campus. A parcel of land that has been reserved for agriculture is not the limiting factor for Intel’s success.
- The process is undemocratic: Our land use program is designed to allow the public to have a say in how, where, and why their cities grow and how we protect the natural resources outside our urban areas. The powers given to the Governor under Senate Bill 4 to override public planning only require one hearing and severely limit appeals. Hillsboro and the state have been very quiet about their intentions to develop this land as part of a proposal, which has foreclosed meaningful opportunities for public input. Residents should not be planned at but planned with and for.
As stewards of the land, as caretakers of our democracy, as residents of Oregon we have the right to fight back against this. The only way we’ll win is if we raise our voices together.
- Sign and share our petition. Ask the governor to oppose this land grab
- Friend “Friends of Smart Growth” on Facebook and share our posts: Especially share our petition posts!
- Share this email with your lists: Business, CSA, Nextdoor, friends and neighbors, etc.
- Donate and ask people to donate on your lists. We are entirely community funded and volunteer-led and we’re up against the city of Hillsboro and the governor! We can use your help.
- Come to the public meeting on October 10th starting at 6pm in person at the Hillsboro Civic Center or on zoom on our website, and to everyone who signs the petition.
- Testify: at the public meeting or in writing between October 3rd and 30th via email at Oregon.CHIPS@oregon.gov or by USPS to 900 Court Street Suite 255 Salem, OR 97301.
Be sure to check out George Carlin’s YouTube video on Dumb Americans, where he talks about how we stole, then destroyed this once beautiful country …
Intel is failing and perhaps will be bought out. It has poisoned our class 1 farmland ,our air and water and used precious resources ill-advisedly just because they could bully Washington County. No more land should be designated for energy hungry call centers and poisoning chip manufacturing.
We have the land: There are over 10,000 acres of land inside existing UGBs that is currently zoned industrial. Hillsboro alone has 1,475 acres of industrial land available for development inside its UGB, and Intel has at least 100 acres of undeveloped space.
The state should not reward Hillsboro for squandering industrial land: Hillsboro received 1000 acres of industrial land in 2014, but instead of stewarding this land for big opportunities, the city has wasted hundreds of acres on data centers and warehouses that use up tremendous amounts of land, energy, and water while producing few jobs and taxes.
The facility does not need this much land: NY CREATES, currently “the largest and most cutting-edge semiconductor research center in the nation,” takes up just 73 acres.
The land is some of the best farmland in the world: This rich and unique soil was deposited here thousands of years ago by the Missoula Floods. Regardless of what is planted in it today, it can grow anything. And it sequesters carbon and provides habitat while growing crops.
Intel should not receive more giveaways: Despite receiving $8.5 billion in CHIPS Act dollars, and $800 million in state property tax breaks between 2018 and 2023 alone, Intel is laying off 15% of its workforce and has several vacant buildings on its campus. A parcel of land that has been reserved for agriculture is not the limiting factor for Intel’s success.
The process is undemocratic: Our land use program is designed to allow the public to have a say in how, where, and why their cities grow and how we protect the natural resources outside our urban areas. The powers given to the Governor under Senate Bill 4 to override public planning only require one hearing and severely limit appeals. Hillsboro and the state have been very quiet about their intentions to develop this land as part of a proposal, which has foreclosed meaningful opportunities for public input. Residents should not be planned at but planned with and for.
Thanks again Dirk. Just heard from the WFWA — I will be there.
As a keen political observer I am somewhat miffed at the lack of response to this post and it’s alert. I for
one do not attend “Dog & Pony” shows any longer and this meeting with Kotek appears to be just that.
And for what it’s worth stay tuned as the City of Hillsboro may soon be allowing another High Rise at 2nd and Washington, the old US Bank parking lot.
Another opportunity for the City to hold a “D&P” show to demonstrate how damned transparent they are….NOT!!!
Are u guessing on 2nd and Washington? Those of us adjacent have long suspected this is happening. But the City denies any meetings or knowledge.
Is this petition only for people who live in Hillsboro, or can anyone in Washington County sign it?
Anyone…