Noah Benjamin

The strategic plan for the City of Hillsboro aims to address the impacts of climate change, including hotter summer weather, heat waves, more intense winter storms, and wildfire smoke. It seeks to develop a plan that helps address community needs and ensures the community can thrive. Key focuses include engaging community members to prioritize strategies, reduce climate change impacts, and adapt to changing conditions. The city has a history of environmental stewardship and is developing new programs to enhance climate resiliency.

The Hillsboro Comprehensive Plan serves as a foundational blueprint guiding the city's growth and development over the next 30 years, building upon the vision established in the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan. It aims to manage projected population and employment growth through strategic goals and policies across several core areas. These areas include bolstering community involvement, enhancing livability and recreation, promoting health, wellness, and safety, fostering healthy ecosystems, building economy and infrastructure, advancing environmental sustainability, and cultivating transportation options. The plan ensures that Hillsboro evolves responsibly, preserving its character and quality of life while accommodating future needs and implementing state and regional planning requirements.

The City of Hillsboro's Climate Action Plan outlines strategies for responding to climate change through both greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and equitable adaptation and resiliency measures. The plan is informed by a comprehensive community GHG inventory, which details local and imported emissions from key sectors including building energy, transportation, industrial processes, waste, agriculture, and consumption. The strategic approach focuses on mitigating the root causes of climate change and supporting all community members through climate adaptation.

The discussion focused on an emergency board recap and resources, particularly concerning the COVID-19 crisis impacting small businesses. Key topics included efforts to support businesses by encouraging the Governor to allow flexibility on CAT tax payments without penalty. The group is working on smoothing out unemployment insurance tax payments for businesses. Discussions involved collaboration with agencies like Business Oregon regarding small business stabilization funds, noting that the initial $10 million state fund may be quickly depleted, contrasting with local efforts in cities like Hillsboro and Washington County which provided more substantial localized aid. There was also discussion on the Work Share program, including potential legislative changes to lower the minimum employee threshold for eligibility and increase the covered percentage. Significant attention was given to the rollout of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for self-employed and gig economy workers, acknowledging frustrations with the antiquated state system, though relief is expected to be retroactive to February 2nd. The conversation highlighted the need for further state funding beyond the immediate emergency reserves.

This community meeting for the Housing Hillsboro project focuses on increasing housing choice, reducing barriers for housing creation, and complying with state legislative mandates. The project addresses House Bill 2001 by allowing middle housing types (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage clusters) in single-family zones, and Senate Bill 458 to provide ownership opportunities in middle housing. Other legislative mandates include House Bill 2583 (changing family definition), Senate Bill 1051 (clear and objective regulations), House Bill 2008 (affordable housing for non-profits/religious organizations), Senate Bill 8 (affordable housing in industrial zones), and House Bill 3261 (motel/hotel conversion for shelters). The initiative will implement clear and objective design standards and consider lot constraints and fire/life safety requirements for new development.