Urban Growth Area

• Author: Alec LeSher
• Pages: 185-189

185Part 3: Fill Regulatory Gaps

URBA N GROWT H AR EA

Alec LeSher (author)

Jonathan Rosenbloom & Christopher Duerksen (editors)

INTRODUCTION

Urban Growth Areas are designated areas in which cert ain development is

permitted. Ordinances creating Urban Growth Areas often set lega l bound-

aries separating urban, developable land from rural, conservation, preserva-

tion, non-developable land.1 Any development outside of the Urban Growth

Area is typica lly prohibited or greatly restricted. Urban Growth Area ordi-

nances allow local governments to expand or contract growth areas upon

certain ndings, such as a nding of public welfare. Urban Growth Area

ordinances may also conta in provisions related to which entity has the power

to modify the Urban Growth A rea boundary, the procedure for reviewing

the bounda ry, and how a developer may a pply to build outside of the b ound-

ary. e local government may also set forth additional requirements for

expanding the bounda ry based on the existing adjacent district. For insta nce,

if a developer wants to build outside of the boundary and next to a district

that is specical ly designated for scenic views, the municipality may require a

higher showing of necessity to develop than i f the district was an agricultura l

zone. Finally, some ordinances have a sunset provision, by which the Urban

Growth Area boundar y will cease to exist unless the provisions are renewed.

EFFECTS

By creating an Urban Growth Area a local government is able to increase

density and preserve natura l resources, while not slowing growth. is pre-

vents or limits urban sprawl and the issues associated with sprawl, including

loss of support for public amenities, increased time spent travelling, degrad a-

tion of water quality, and loss of habitat.2

Creating Urban Growth Areas helps lower public infrastructure costs by

limiting expensive, underused infrastructure in low-density areas.3 Provid-

ing public services such as water, sanitation, and transit services to larger