Sherwood West Poll Results
I want to thank everyone who took the poll. In just four days, 377 of you took the time to think about what you want to see for Sherwood over the next 20 years. I am not surprised at the poll results; they are consistent with the results I got three years ago. However, under state law and Metro regulations, the question of "Do we ask Metro to expand the UGB" is placed in front of us every three years. This is why we are having this community discussion.
When I ran for office, I committed to representing our community's goals, desires, and hopes. I meet with many of you in the community, our businesses, and other interested parties on these and many other subjects. However, on the major questions, I can't meet with everyone. That is why I take the time to do this type of outreach (polls) when important questions are in front of us. It is also my job to raise these questions to the community to make sure you are aware of the issues and allow you to provide feedback to inform my decisions on the council.
Given all that, here is what I learned from the poll and how it will inform my decisions on the council:
The residents of Sherwood want the city council and staff to complete the planning process (Comprehensive plan and Sherwood West Concept Plan) that was started with significant input from the community.
The residents of Sherwood want to see a balanced approach to how we zone for residential and businesses (family-wage jobs)
The residents of Sherwood, even if planning is complete, are not in favor of expanding the urban growth boundary at this time.
Some asked, "Why plan?” if we do not intend to ask for growth from Metro?" That is a great question. The answer is simple; if we do not plan for ourselves, someone else will.
Over the last five years, Salem and Metro have been taking away our power to determine how we grow and even our ability to choose if we want to grow. Our city had a long tradition (written into our charter) of allowing voters to decide if the city should expand. Salem took that power away in 2016 (SB1573). This is why the Brookman area was brought in after our voters said no three times. Our representatives in Salem decided that developers and landowners get to determine when a property is brought into the city limits. Landowners cannot ask for land to be brought into the city limits unless that land is in the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). That is why the UGB expansion process is so important to us now.
Powerful lobbying groups continue to look for ways to erode local control. Right now, large outside companies are lobbying Metro to bring Sherwood west into the UGB. Metro could expand the UGB without our consent. So far, and historically they have chosen not to do that. But, we can't assume that will always be the case.
This is why we have to be incredibly careful about asking Metro to expand the Urban Growth Boundary. We have to be prepared with a plan if they decide to extend the UGB without our consent. As I have said many times, if we do not prepare, someone else will do it for us without our best interest in mind.
Scroll down for poll results.
Question One
84% of respondents agree with this statement:
Given what you have heard, could you rate the following statement: The Sherwood city council should not expand the city and preserve natural areas and farmlands in the Sherwood West area.
On this question; 84% of respondents either Strongly Agreed or Somewhat agreed with the statement. 14% strongly disagreed or somewhat disagreed. 2.56% were neutral. There was statistically no difference in the overall findings when you compared Sherwood residents to respondents who lived outside of Sherwood.
Question One Summary
Question One Detail & Crosstab
Question Two
87% of respondents agree with this statement
Given what you have heard, could you rate the following statement: The Sherwood city council should delay any expansion of the urban boundaries until planning has been completed.
On this question; 87% of respondents either Strongly Agreed or Somewhat agreed with the statement. 10% strongly disagreed or somewhat disagreed. 3% were neutral. There was statistically no difference in the overall findings when you compared Sherwood residents to respondents who lived outside of Sherwood.
Question Two Summary
Question Two Detail & Crosstab
Question Three
93% of respondents agree with this statement
Given what you have heard, could you rate the following statement: The Sherwood city council should get extensive feedback from our residents and local business before asking Metro to expand the urban growth boundaries.
On this question; 93% of respondents either Strongly Agreed or Somewhat agreed with the statement. 4% strongly disagreed or somewhat disagreed. 3% were neutral. There was statistically no difference in the overall findings when you compared Sherwood residents to respondents who lived outside of Sherwood.
Question Two Summary
Question Three Detail % Crosstab
Question Four
Respondents were asked to indicate how the cities planning should be focused on residential zoning and zoning that would support businesses that generate family-wage jobs. 75.7% of respondents indicated that there needs to be a balance between the two zoning types. 34% indicated equal focus, 30.1% wanted a balance that leaned toward residential, and 11.5% wanted a balance focused on jobs. Only 16.6% indicated we should only focus on residential, and 7.7% said jobs only.
34.1% responded, “Plans should include a balance of business (Family wage jobs) and residential areas with equal focus on both.”
30.1% responded, “Plans should include a balance of business (Family wage jobs) and residential areas with a focus on residential..”
16.6% responded, “Plans should only allow for residential growth.”
11.5% responded, “Plans should include a balance of business (Family wage jobs) and residential areas with a focus on business.”
7.7%% responded, “Plans should only allow for business (Family Wage Jobs) growth.”