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Save Helvetia is a coalition of farmers, business owners, concerned citizens, neighbors, and residents of the greater Helvetia area who are working to protect the Helvetia community and its neighboring agricultural lands.

If you are new to the site, we invite you to read about why Save Helvetia was formed, learn more about the Urban and Rural Reserves process that is affecting our area, and view the maps to see for yourself how much of our farm land is at risk.  Then read our arguments for designating the lands north of Highway 26 as Rural Reserves.

When the Reserves process began, the City of Hillsboro and Washington County had identified about 10,000 acres of land north of Highway 26 as proposed urban reserves, which would have subjected that land to potential future urban development and increased uncertainty for farmers regarding the long-term viability of farming in this area.  As a result of our efforts, and those of many others, the final recommendations completed in March of 2010 include only about 200 acres of urban reserves north of Highway 26, and about 557 acres that are "undesignated" (neither urban nor rural reserves).  (These figures exclude the areas around North Plains.  See the maps for details.)

While we are certainly pleased with these results, we remain very concerned about the urban reserves and undesignated areas, and believe that they qualify as rural reserves under the law.  The Reserves designations have been submitted to LCDC for their final approval, and we have filed objections to the designated Reserve areas.  We are currently awaiting the Director's Report, to be followed by the hearing (currently scheduled for October 19-22).

You can read more detail about our recent activities below.  Since we're not maintaining this site as actively as we did in the past, the best way stay up-to-date is to subscribe to the Save Helvetia Discussion Group.  We try to send an update about every other week, depending on current events.  You can also follow us on Facebook, although the Discussion Group is our primary communication method.

Out of the reserves process ... new energy for government service

We are pleased to announce that one of our Steering Committee members, Greg Mecklem, has decided to run to Washington County Commissioner in District 4, which represents a large portion of the rural area of Washington County, including Banks, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, and North Plains.  Greg is a strong advocate for renewable energy and clean jobs, balancing the needs of urban and rural interests, and involving citizens in planning.  Greg would be a welcome addition to the County Commission.  Greg ran a strong primary campaign, and advanced to the general election.  We STRONGLY URGE you to support Greg's campaign, and most of all, to VOTE FOR GREG MECKLEM in the November 2nd election!  Learn more about Greg – and contribute to his campaign – at his web site: http://www.GregMecklem.com.

We are also excited to tell you about another candidate for County Commissioner -- this time in District 2, which serves Washington County's northeast corner, including Cedar Mill, Cedar Hills, Raleigh Hills, Rock Creek, Helvetia and portions of Beaverton and Hillsboro.  Greg Malinowski is a farmer who has also been very active in the Reserves process, and seeks to bring similar change to the County Commission in his district.  Greg Malinowski also ran a strong primary campaign and will need your vote in November.

These two candidates, along with Dick Schouten, who is currently the County Commissioner in District 1, share a common vision of balancing strong urban communities with protecting rural lands.  They believe in listening to citizens and involving them more in planning and decision-making.  Things could be very different indeed if these three fine gentlemen were all serving on the County Commission!  We hope that you will give them your utmost support.

Your support is needed more than ever – please help cover our legal costs

As part of our effort to preserve farmland north of Highway 26, we engaged a land-use attorney to represent our position before Washington County and Metro.  This is a significant (and ongoing) expense, and we need help paying the bill.  We are suggesting donations of between $25 and $40, but any amount will be greatly appreciated!  It's quick and easy to donate using your credit card - no PayPal account is needed.

Recapping our recent activity

On September 8^th, 2009, Washington County submitted their recommendations to the Reserves Steering Committee (RSC), moving the discussion to the regional level.  Please read this September update from the Steering Committee for our reaction to the recommendations.

From September through November 2009, we presented extensive testimony before Metro Council and the Core 4, in particular at the Metro "Making the Greatest Place" hearings.  We also pointed out to the Washington County Commissioners that they had not taken a formal position on the recommendations, and encouraged them to hold public hearings and "go on the record" regarding their individual positions on urban and rural reserves, so that their constituents might know where they stand on this important issue.  They held these hearings in December.  We again presented more testimony at these hearings and at the continuing Metro Council and Core 4 meetings.

In mid-December, the Core 4 released their proposed urban and rural reserve areas, which were used as the basis for public comment during January.  Please read this end-of-December update from the Steering Committee for discussion of the December hearings and the Core 4 maps.  Once again, we presented testimony at the January Board of Commissioners and Metro hearings, despite a less-than-enthusiatic reception from the elected officials.  See our January 2010 update for details and links to video of our testimony.

The final decisions on reserve areas were made in the last week of February 2010.  Both Metro and WaCo conducted hearings on the implementing ordinances in March, after which the reserve area designations were sent to LCDC for final approval.  We have filed objections to the designated Reserve areas and are currently awaiting the Director's Report.  We will be permitted to file "exceptions" to this report, and both the Report and exceptions will be reviewed by LCDC.  They will then conduct their hearing, which is currently scheduled for October 19-22.

Please help us!

There are many ways you can help save the Helvetia area – it’s the gem of Washington County!