No, the PV/NC Comp Plan does not require or compel annexation by the local government (from the “top down”).  Rather, property owners that are interested in future urban zoning and its greater potential land value may wish to annex via petition (from the “bottom up”).  In the roughly 2,700-acre PV/NC Comp Plan area, approximately 1,000 acres of land have already opted to annex to the City of Happy Valley. These lands are represented by the darker colored lands on the overall PV/NC boundary map.  All other lands remain in unincorporated Clackamas County.

In 2002, Metro (the regional government) expanded the Portland Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) quite a bit to the east (toward 242^nd Ave.).  The City of Damascus was incorporated and launched several versions of Comprehensive Plans which it voluntarily put on the ballot for approval from the then city residents (none passed).  After the disincorporation of the City of Damascus, property owners representing approximately 1,000 acres of former Damascus voluntarily annexed to the City of Happy Valley. By State and Regional law, the City was then responsible to develop a comprehensive plan. The City applied for a $400,000 grant from Metro to fund the majority of the PV/NC Comp Plan. The planning area for this exercise included land that had recently annexed, as well as land that might annex in the next few years. This planning effort is required for UGB expansion areas by state law and Metro Functional Plan requirements. In the City of Happy Valley process, the PV/NC Comp Plan was developed in partnership with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which made recommendations to the City’s Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission then reviews the Draft PV/NC Plan, considers all requests and changes, and then makes a recommendation to the City Council.  The City Council is the final review authority as there is no general vote. If a group or individual seeks to appeal the City Council’s decision, they can do so to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

In the very long run, the PV/NC Plan area assumes development of a future Sunrise Phase 2 (Expressway) travelling from 122^nd Ave. where Phase 1 currently ends to 172^nd Ave.  In the shorter term, OR Hwys. 212 and 224 (state highways) are designated as Major Arterials on the City’s TSP. Future developments that might seek land use approval would need to improve applicable frontages on the facility, plus – would need to provide “built-year” Traffic Impact Studies that address the transportation congestion level of said highways/intersections (and what mitigations/improvements the development would trigger in order to be approved).  For larger issues like the Rock Creek Intersection, the City of Happy Valley, working in conjunction with the Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) and Clackamas County Dept. of Transportation & Development (DTD), have several potential funding opportunities to fund “interim improvements” to the Rock Creek Intersection.  These include creating a “Zone of Influence” wherein the proportionate share of the cost of the improvement to the intersection improvements cause future developments in a very large geographic area to contribute funds to the intersection improvements.  Other potential measures include City funded Capital Improvement Projects, federal dollars being allocated to Oregon/Clackamas County, grant funds, Transportation System Development Charge (TSDC) Overlays and Local Improvement Districts.

If your property is not within the city limits, it retains its unincorporated Clackamas County rural zoning. If your property is within the city limits, the urban zone is applied to your property and it is “upzoned” to the plan designation/zoning district indicated on the map and on the City’s interactive website.  If you have a lawfully established (including any necessary land use or building permits from unincorporated Clackamas County) pre-existing, non-conforming use, structure or livestock scenario, this is considered a “grand-fathered” scenario once annexed within the city limits. This means property owners are allowed to maintain and use their current buildings including homes, barns, shops, businesses, etc. However, expanding these structures is often limited.

Besides the economic value of “upzoning” (increase property values), other benefits of annexation include participation in the City’s dedicated police force, code enforcement program, street sweeping and inclement weather service, belonging to the City’s Park and Recreation Program, voting for City of Happy Valley City Council and the City’s commitment to customer service and growth management.  The costs of annexation primarily come in the form of increased taxes (the addition of the City’s municipal tax rate; the local Police Levy and the local Parks & Recreation levy).  These are offset somewhat by a reduction of taxes when leaving disincorporated Clackamas County.  For additional information, please see this link: Annexation Program | City of Happy Valley (happyvalleyor.gov).