Jan. 31, 2018
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Fern Hill Road at Taylor Way
New flood gates on Fern Hill Road utilized in recent high-water event
The manual-locking flood gates on Fern Hill Road, south of Taylor Way and north of Geiger Road, were used for the first time Saturday-Monday (Jan. 27-29) to prevent travel through high water.
Gates were installed on Susbauer Road, south of Hornecker Road and north of Long Road, and on Fern Hill Road in fall. Both roads frequently flood during periods of heavy rain. Water flooded Fern Hill Saturday morning (Jan. 27) following significant rainfall.
"In addition to using the gates, we also put up barricades," said Todd Watkins, manager, Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation Operations and Maintenance Division. "We use barricades at all sites without flood gates, so we wanted to be consistent. We did not have any reports of motorists driving around the barricades and gates."
In February 2017, there were two confirmed cases of motorists who moved/drove around barricades on Fern Hill Road and had to be rescued. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue charged each driver $516 for the rescues. Both drivers were also fined $260 for moving/driving around barricades, which is against the law.
Travelers should always beware of water on roads. Six inches of water is enough to cause a driver to lose control of a car. If there is flooding on the road, turn around, don't drown.
To report someone traveling around a gate or barricade, call the Washington County Sheriff's Office nonemergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.
Public comment sought on the Draft 2018-19 Work Program
The public is invited to comment on the Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation Long Range Planning Draft 2018-19 Annual Work Program.
The work program identifies and ranks Long Range Planning staff's annual tasks including ordinances, projects and other transportation and community planning activities.
Comments may be submitted by Feb. 8 in one of the following ways:
  • Email: [email protected]. Include full name, street address, company/organization affiliation (if applicable) and any other relevant contact information
  • Mail: Long Range Planning Section, Department of Land Use & Transportation, 155 N. First Ave., Suite 350 MS14, Hillsboro, OR 97124
  • In person: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the above address.
All comments received by Feb. 8 will be provided to the Washington County Board of Commissioners prior to adoption of the final work program on March 6.  Annual Work Program  Media Release
Public asked to comment on Metro's 2018 Regional Transportation Plan
The public is asked complete Metro's 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) survey to help define how the greater Portland region's transportation system should look in 2040.
The survey closes Feb. 17. Learn more about the 2018 RTP .  Survey
Highlights from wc-roads.com
Road closures
  • Tonquin Road, between railroad crossing and Waldo Way, for construction through Feb. 28.
Lane closures
  • 175th Avenue, between Alvord Lane and Scholls Ferry Road, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. through April 1.  Media release
Visit wc-roads.com for more traffic and road updates.
NOTE: This information is provided here as a courtesy only. Neighborhood meetings are required before developers submit certain land use applications to the County (for areas outside cities). These meetings provide a forum for the developer, affected CPO (Community Participation Organization) and nearby property owners to discuss the proposal informally. County staff do not schedule or attend these meetings.
Feb. 5 - Proposed solar project
At 6 p.m. at Gaston High School, 300 Park St. The property is 81.82 acres in the EFU district (Exclusive Farm Use) and is located at 450 NW Stringtown Road. Contact Steve Schmitt, Pacific Northwest Solar, at 530-906-9929.
CPO 11; District 4
Feb. 7 Proposed 6-lot subdivision
At 7 p.m. at Patricia D. Whiting Hall at Metzger Park, 8400 SW Hemlock St. The property is 2.8 acres in the R-5 district (Residential, 4-5 units/acre) and is located on tax lot # 1S125CB01400. Contact Mimi Doukas at 503-563-6151.
CPO 4M; District 3
Feb. 12 Proposed 9-lot subdivision
At 6:30 p.m. at Garden Home Recreation Center, 7475 SW Oleson Road. The property is 2.04 acres in the R-5 district (Residential, 4-5 units/acre) and is located on tax lot # 1S124CB01000. Contact Wayne Hayson, Pioneer Design Group, at 503-643-8286 or [email protected].
CPO 3; District 3
Feb. 13 Proposed 8-lot subdivision
At 6:30 p.m. at Patricia D. Whiting Hall at Metzger Park, 8400 SW Hemlock St. The property is 1.64 acres in the R-9 district (Residential, 7-9 units/acre) and is located at 8985 SW Washington Drive. Contact Matthew Newman, NW Engineers LLC, at [email protected].
CPO 4M; District 3
Feb. 15 Proposed single-story classroom/cafeteria
At 6 p.m. at Reedville Elementary School Gym, 2695 SW 209th Ave. The property is 3.47 acres in the INS district (Institutional) and is located at 2695 SW 209th Ave. Contact Andrew Tull, 3J Consulting, at 503-946-9365 or [email protected].
CPO 6; District 1
Feb. 20 Proposed 2-lot partition
At 6:30 p.m. at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Station 65, 3425 SW 103rd Ave. The property is 0.34 acre in the R-5 district (Residential, 4-5 units/acre) and is located at 3255 SW 108th Ave. Contact Ben Altman, Pioneer Design Group Inc., at 971-708-6258 or [email protected].
CPO 3; District 2
Feb. 27 Proposed rock quarry
At 7 p.m. at Five Star Builders Offices, 181 NW Main St. The property is 39.31 acres in the EFU district (Exclusive Farm Use) and is located on tax lot # 2N4020001400. Contact Doyle Garrison, Manning Rock, at 503-324-3560.
CPO 14; District 4

Melissa De Lyser | Communications Manager
Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation
155 N. First Ave., Suite 350 MS16 | Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-846-4963 direct | 971-713-9658  mobile