Nearly 200 Hillsboro-area residents showed up at a "visioning" meeting Monday at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club to begin discussions about the best land uses and transportation options for future development in South Hillsboro. South Hillsboro is the area east and southeast of Witch Hazel Village, between Tualatin Valley Highway, 209th Avenue, Rosedale Road and River Road. At 2,200 acres, the area includes the former St. Mary's property, The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club, and other surrounding properties.

Groups of about eight or nine people pored over huge maps of the area, placing homes, retail businesses and employment areas needed to support people working in Hillsboro and their families. Some residents were unnerved by the concept of planning other people's futures. "Aren't we putting the cart before the horse here?" one woman asked. Consultants with Portland's Fregonese Calthorpe Associates assured that the process was necessary for good planning.

Taking a longer look into the future allows analysis of public services and transportation impacts associated with growth in order to plan more efficiently, said Glen Bolen, FCA's senior associate. Before South Hillsboro can be developed, a community plan must be prepared to determine the future land uses, transportation system, parks and other public infrastructure. The South Hillsboro Urban Reserve Plan was created in 1998. Since, portions of the study area have been added to Metro's Urban Growth Boundary. This includes areas along Northwest 229th Avenue. Some areas east and northeast of The Reserves are anticipated to be brought into the UGB in the near future. Hillsboro has also set aside 670 acres for a potential "urban reserve," should there be a change in the way the UGB is administered.

Metro is currently considering designation of urban reserves that would provide for expansion of the UGB over a 50-year period as needed to accommodate growth. Through a process known as digitization, consultants will compile all of the public's suggestions and create three scenario options. These will be presented at a second meeting, April 12. A preferred concept should be ready by June 6.

The meetings are slated as part of the Community Plan effort, sponsored by the City of Hillsboro. Metro and private contributions are funding the planning project. Hillsboro will likely be the governing agency in planning the area if it is eventually annexed into Metro's Urban Growth Boundary.