American Planning Association Applauds Passage of Measure 49.

CHICAGO -- Oregonians took an important step in restoring good planning practices yesterday when they passed Measure 49 by an overwhelming 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent. The American Planning Association (APA), representing more than 43,000 professional planners, applauds Oregon voters for correcting the excesses and loopholes left after the passage in 2004 of the ill-fated and poorly understood Measure 37.

"Voters spoke loudly yesterday that planning is important," said Paul Farmer, FAICP, Executive Director and CEO of the American Planning Association. "This measure will help put the lid back on Pandora's Box and stop the tidal wave of development requests that threatened to destroy the state's natural beauty that would have created personal hardships for so many people."

"We're pleased that our fellow Oregonians approved Measure 49 to restore some balance to the state's land-use planning processes," said Phil Farrington, AICP, President of the APA Oregon Chapter. "Voters recognized that property fairness should not come at the expense of destroying farms, forests and clean water. Even with the passage of this measure, it is important for the state to continue the work of the Governor's Big Look Task Force."

Measure 49 will close loopholes in the state's land-use planning processes by limiting large-scale developments and providing protection for farms, forests and clean water.

"Planning is not optional if we want healthy, vibrant communities that protect everyone's property rights," said Paul Farmer. "We hope that communities across the country will continue to observe and learn from Oregon's current planning struggles and recognize that promoting property fairness does not mean eliminating planning, but to the contrary, can only exist with good planning."

The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning--physical, economic and social--so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit its website at www.planning.org.