Arnold Cogan Speaks on the Future of Land Use Planning

Arnold is at it once again!  He spent the early parts of his career advocating and building support for the Oregon land use laws and he’s back out there building support for a plan to chart the future of Oregon.

Arnold presented a paper that he and Nohad A. Toulan co-authored, The Next Forty Years: A New Approach to Planning for the Future of Oregon, at the Seventh Annual Conference of the International Academic Association on Planning, Law and Property Rights. An audience of planners, academics and attorneys from around the globe attended the conference, held at Portland State University.

During his talk he covered a brief history of how Oregon got to where it is, in terms of regional planning, and in looking forward suggested that “where and how we grow is probably more important than how much we grow.”

Historically and today most Oregonians live in the Willamette Valley (82 percent) and unless something changes, this trend will continue. Not including potential climate refugees, the population of Oregon is expected to double in less than 50 years and 10 million people will live in the state by 2100.

Continuing with current policies and actions, we will not be prepared to deal with the negative consequences that accompany that growth: pressure to expand urban areas onto farm, forest and natural resources areas and large infrastructure costs.

In order to accommodate this additional growth, Arnold concluded with proposals that he and Nohad wrote in their paper:

• The creation of a new State Planning Office (SPO) and The Commission for the 22nd Century (Commission).
• A State Planning Director housed in the Governor’s Office, appointed to work with the Commission and supervise the SPO.
• Within two years, these groups be required to create a state strategic vision for the next 40 years and beyond.
• The SPD and Commission would work with affected state agencies, regional entities and local governments to achieve concurrence with the visions identified above.

In making these recommendations, Arnold shows a commitment to the future and ensuring that Oregon stays livable while ensuring continued economic prosperity and a healthful natural environment. As Arnold pointed out during the discussion after his talk, “for any planning initiative to move forward, it must have the support of the people.”

Elaine Cogan to contribute as regular columnist for PlannersWeb

COC is delighted to announce that founding principal and long-time Planning Commissioners Journal contributing writer, Elaine Cogan, has joined the PlannersWeb as a regular columnist. Read more here.

Ellen Wyoming Promoted to Associate

Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC is delighted to announce that Ellen Wyoming has been promoted to Associate as a full-time colleague with the firm beginning January 1, 2013. Ellen brings experience, creativity and passion for equity in urban and community planning, authentic community involvement with diverse groups of people, and culturally-appropriate organizing and facilitating.  She is keenly focused on the intersection of planning and economic opportunity, and looks forward to continuing to increase her capacity as a planner in her work related to creating vibrant, sustainable, and healthy communities.

In her capacity as Associate, Ellen will be managing projects including a Tsunami preparedness guide for Oregon coastal communities. She also is working on research of trends over time that will affect estuaries along the Oregon coast. Both projects are for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. She is assisting with the public involvement process for a voluntary annexation strategy for South Hillsboro and has been working with the Tulalip Tribes in Washington on a neighborhood and green infrastructure planning project. Most recently, she was project manager for the development of the Portland Mercado, an initiative of Hacienda Community Development Corporation for a new Latino-themed public market to serve more than three dozen new low-income Latino entrepreneurs.

Ellen was awarded the American Planning Association Award for Application of the Planning Process for her work on the Portland Mercado as a graduate student in Portland State University’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. She also was awarded the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association’s award for Student Achievement in Planning for the Portland Mercado project. She can be reached at 503-278-3462 or ellen.wyoming@coganowens.com

Oregon City Here We Come!

Cogan Owens Cogan is delighted to be leading a team of consultants to assist the City of Oregon City in developing a concept plan for the South End Urban Growth Expansion Area.  The 478-acre area is located in the southwest corner of Oregon City along the Canemah Bluffs.  Kirstin Greene and Steve Faust will lead COC’s efforts.  “We are excited to apply our appreciative approach with residents of Oregon City and the South End area in particular,” said Kirstin. “We aim to preserve the things that make South End special while working with area and city residents and businesses to identify new amenities that will benefit current and future South End residents.”

Community engagement is a main focus of the Concept Plan process.  COC will work closely with the City to design and implement a broad and inclusive strategy that helps community members articulate what they like about South End today and what will make it an attractive place to live in the future.  When complete, these core values will help guide development of the Concept Plan. COC Senior Planner Steve Faust will be facilitating a community based Citizen Advisory Team, comprised of diverse interests and stakeholders. Stay tuned!