In the lead-up to World Town Planning Day, Winterbrook Planning is highlighting projects that embody our commitment to sustainable, community-centered town planning.

Today, we’re proud to feature our recent work in Vernonia, Oregon, led by Senior Planner Grace Coffey, AICP, where we assisted the city with an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) swap to help the city with sustainable, efficient development as they continue to grow.

Grace and our team collaborated with Vernonia to “swap” land within the UGB—removing residential land unsuitable for development and bringing in a more practical area located near a school and surrounded on three sides by the existing UGB. Winterbrook conducted a detailed analysis and crafted comprehensive plan policies to guide future development in a way that aligns with Vernonia’s goals for connectivity and sustainability.

With approval from the Vernonia City Council and Columbia County Board of Commissioners, this UGB adjustment supports Vernonia’s vision for smart growth. As we approach World Town Planning Day, we’re excited to celebrate projects like this one that create livable communities prepared for the future of the Pacific Northwest.