Land Use Overview

The State of Oregon established statewide planning goals in the 1970s to provide community members the opportunity to be involved in the land use planning process (Goal 1). Clackamas County adopted a community participation policy in 1973 and established Community Planning Organizations as one of the ways to satisfy that goal. CPOs are rooted not only in state planning law, but also play a role in the larger task of self-governance in Clackamas County. CPOs are organized and run by volunteers in their area, with the support of the County. While the original purpose of CPOs was to involve community members in the land use planning process, many have expanded it to include other matters of community importance. Each CPO may have its own rules of governance but if they fail to meet at least twice a year they become inactive.

Hamlets give the community a formal structure to discuss important community issues and make recommendations for their resolution to the county. Unlike cities and counties, hamlets  are not local governments, they are advisory to the Board of County Commissioners. All members over the age of 18 who live, own property or businesses within the hamlet’s defined geographic area are eligible to vote on hamlet  affairs. In consultation with the Board of County Commissioners, hamlets may undertake the following activities:

• community building

• representation to other jurisdictions

• economic development

• park and trail planning

• central area beautification

• maintenance

• community development

• strategic planning

The Hamlet of Beavercreek was formed and chartered in 2006 and also functions as a Community Planning Organization (CPO).