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FAQ: Comprehensive Plan



What is a Comprehensive Plan?
 

A Comprehensive Plan, required by Oregon law, is a broad statement of the community’s vision for the future and contains goals and policies to guide the physical development of the City as well as certain aspects of its social and economic character. The plan directs regulations, implementation actions, and services that support the vision. The plan reflects the long-term vision, values and aspirations of the community as a whole and guides other decisions such as zoning, economic development, transportation investment, and city policies about subjects like sustainability. 
 
The goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan respond to the needs and conditions which exist presently and will provide the initial guidance for future city programs, major capital projects and other funding decisions for the next 20+ years.

The Comprehensive Plan Map shows land use designations that are more general than zoning designations. Typically, land use designations focus on allowed uses whereas zoning classifications provide specific standards related to building height and setbacks. The City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map, and Development Code are used by decision-makers to determine whether a proposed use, development, or subdivision is appropriate.


When is the City’s Comprehensive Plan final?
 
Since 1973, Oregon has maintained a strong statewide program for land use planning. The foundation of that program is a set of 19 Oregon Statewide Planning Goals. The City’s Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with the Statewide Planning Goals. The LCDC reviews local comprehensive plans for consistency with the Statewide Planning Goals. When LCDC officially approves a local government’s plan, the plan is said to be “acknowledged.”  Oregon’s planning laws apply not only to local governments but also to special districts and state agencies. The laws strongly emphasize coordination-keeping plans and programs consistent with each other, with the goals, and with acknowledged local plans.  The plan must also comply with the relevant portions of Metro’s Urban Growth Management Functional Plan. The plan is intended to do more than simply meet the requirements of the law. The City Council understands that good planning is necessary to ensure that land resources are thoughtfully and efficiently used, that public services are cost-effective and adequate, that natural and historic resources that help define the City’s character are protected and preserved, and that citizens will have continuing influence with the ongoing decisions about the growth and development of their community.


What is the relationship between zoning and the City's development code?
 

The City’s Zoning Map and Development Code are not complete at this time. Zoning is the tool for implementing the Comprehensive Plan. Zoning guides what can be built now versus the Comprehensive Plan which guides the long term (20+ years) growth. Zoning districts or “zones” are established on a map to promote efficient and compatible land uses around the city that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. The City’s zoning districts will be designated on the City’s Zoning Map and all of the City's zoning regulations will be found in the City’s Development Code.

The Development Code contains standards, provisions and requirements for each zoning district intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Damascus by ensuring that neighbors and adjacent properties are protected from potential negative impacts in the development and use of land. The Development Code provides a means of ensuring predictability and consistency in the use of land and to guide and direct the development of land to achieve a balance between the desires of the individual property owner and the citizens of Damascus.


When will the City begin to process land use applications?
 

Clackamas County will continue to administer all land use applications and building permits for Damascus until the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map, and Development Code is adopted by the City Council, has full acknowledgement from the State’s Land Conservation and Development Commission and is in compliance with Metro’s Urban Growth Functional Plan. All uses and activities that legally exist prior to the date of adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map, and Development Code will be able to continue until such time a property owner chooses to redevelop or change use that is consistent with the City plans.
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City Of Damascus • 19920 SE Highway 212 • Damascus, Oregon 97089          Phone (503) 658-8545 • Fax (503) 658-5786