State Commission Updates Rules for Target Industries
Employment Lands Planning
SALEM – On Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC or commission) adopted rules to define and incorporate requirements for cities that use the “target industries approach” in an economic opportunities analysis.
The target industries approach was previously undefined in Oregon administrative rules, and cities using this approach sometimes faced legal challenges as a result.
To support local governments' land use planning efforts and use of the target industries approach, the amended rules now define how local governments can use a target industries approach to plan for aspirational economic development projects. The rules require local governments to connect employment projections to land demand and be specific about industry land needs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a liaison for this important work”, said Commissioner Porter. “These rules improve certainty and support for cities in their employment lands planning. A focused rulemaking like this one may seem small, but it can have big improvement for our local implementing partners.”
To protect land supply for target industries, the rules also require cities to refrain from rezoning these lands to commercial or residential use without further analysis.
“These rules grant cities the flexibility to creatively pursue aspirational economic development goals while enhancing their ability to attract target industries” said Chair Anyeley Hallová.
The rules go into effect on January 1, 2025. The rules adopted by the commission may be found here.
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