The City Council finalized its decision on the proposed rezoning of the Colwood Golf Course at its October 22 meeting. The Council voted unanimously to deny the request to rezone Colwood Golf Course from open space to industrial.

In its exhaustive findings on the matter, the Council underscored the conclusion that any potential economic benefits of converting Colwood to industrial would not outweigh the negative impacts on the City’s environmental and open space policies.

Despite the Council’s final decision on this matter, it ain’t over ’til its over. The landowners are exercising their right to appeal the City’s decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

LUBA is a state-level body that hears and rules on appeals of land use decisions made by local governments. LUBA’s rules are very formal and the body operates like a court. LUBA is the only forum that can hear appeals of local land use decisions. LUBA consists of three Board members who are appointed by the Governor. All the Board members are attorneys with an expertise in land use planning law.

The LUBA review and hearing process could take up to three months. Their decision could take a variety of forms including affirming the City’s decision, rejecting it, or send the decision back to the City for further consideration.

CNA maintains its position opposing the rezoning of Colwood and this opposition and the evidence supporting it is part of the record that will be reviewed by LUBA.

We will continue to provide updates on the Colwood decision process in the Concordia News and at concordiapdx.org.

The Portland City Council reaffirmed its earlier tentative vote and formally rejected the comprehensive plan amendment that would’ve rezoned most of Colwood National Golf Course from open space to industrial on October 22.

What’s next? Although this is the City’s final decision on this matter, the applicant may still appeal the decision to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), within 21 days of the date of decision.