Cities and counties agree on an Urban Growth Boundary that separates future urban level development from rural development during the planning period. The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is shown on the Comprehensive Plan Map and other maps. A small scale map of the urban area, which shows the UGB, is presented as Figure 1-1 on page 6. In total, the UGB encompasses approximately 33.32 square miles, or about 21,322.2 acres. The UGB expansion will increase the urbanizable area by 2,380 acres.

The amount and type of land within the 1981 state approved UGB was evaluated during the 1994-1998 update process and again during the 2005-2008 UGB Expansion. Based on the analysis for the UGB Expansion, it was determined that there was insufficient buildable land within the boundary to meet the forecast housing and employment needs during the planning period.

The city and county experienced rapid growth between 1998 and 2008. This accelerated growth brought more dramatic changes to the community than have occurred since settlement began approximately 110 years ago. In addition to providing more land for needed housing and employment, several new schools and public parks will have to be built. Many miles of streets, sewer, water, and electrical lines will have to be installed to support future growth. Much of what is now undeveloped land will become housing, commercial, industrial, or other urban uses. These changes offer both the opportunities for improving the community, and the challenges of maintaining its social and natural character.

The purposes of the Urban Growth Boundary and urbanization policies at the end of this chapter are to promote efficiency in the future growth and development, and to conserve resources by infilling the existing urban area.