Areas that have existing public facility and service capacities to serve anticipated development should be considered first for inclusion in the urban growth area. An evaluation of the future geographic requirements. This should include an analysis which anticipates the ability to finance the public facilities and services needed in the urban growth area over a 20 to 30 year period, the effect of confining growth within these areas to the price of property and its related impact on the ability of residents of all economic strata to obtain affordable housing, whether the level of population and economic growth contemplated can be achieved within the capacity of available natural resources and without environmental degradation, and the extent to which other governmental land use plans may influence the urban growth area. The primary land use consideration for development within rural areas involves compatibility with its rural character and providing for a variety of rural densities. The designation and conservation of these areas will maintain rural community character as a valued part of the Citys diversity, provide a choice in living environments, maintain a link to our heritage, allow small-scale farming and forestry, and buffer valuable resource lands from incompatible uses.
Good opportunities exist for small-scale farming and forestry.
A rural area designation will help buffer nearby resource lands from conflicting urban uses. There are major physical barriers to providing urban services at reasonable cost. Significant environmental constraints make the area generally unsuitable for intense urban development. The City should preserve long-term rural areas with low residential densities and appropriate public improvements and services to provide for a rural lifestyle and protect rural character. Rural areas should also accommodate resource area-based uses compatible with rural character and a rural level of public facilities and services.