Community Planning Organization Handbook
A Message from the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners:
For a quarter century, CPOs have played a role in guiding the growth and development of Clackamas County.
CPOs began as a requirement of comprehensive land use planning in Oregon. State planning laws require all counties to establish a system of citizen involvement in the land use process.
However, CPOs are rooted not only in state planning law, but also in the business plan of Clackamas County. In fact, the first priority of the business plan is "Clackamas County shall conduct its business in a manner that provides for meaningful public participation." CPOs play a role in the larger task of self-governance in Clackamas County.
We appreciate the fact that you are willing to share your time and talents in building a better Clackamas County.
This is the third edition of the CPO Handbook. It is updated and streamlined. We hope you will find it useful as a reference tool on ways to organize and maintain your CPO. The handbook is included in the CPO Resource Guide, a collection of key CPO resources, procedures and examples. If you are a new officer to a CPO, or are reactivating a CPO and would like a CPO Resource Guide, contact Clackamas County Citizen Involvement.
If you have questions, please contact Clackamas County Citizen Involvement at (503) 655-8552.
CPOs, CCI, CIP: Understanding Citizen Involvement in Clackamas County
Citizen participation is a hallmark of Oregon's comprehensive planning program. Each city and county plan includes a citizen involvement program, which describes how the public can participate in each phase of the planning process. Local governments must periodically evaluate their efforts to involve citizens, and, if necessary, update their programs. There are three essentials to citizen involvement in Clackamas County.
Community Planning Organizations (CPOs)
CPOs are part of the citizen involvement program required by state statute as outlined in Goal 1: Citizen Involvement. They are advisory to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners (BCC) on matters affecting their communities, particularly in the area of land use. CPOs are notified of proposed land use actions and legislative changes within their boundaries. They review these applications and recommend their approval, denial or no action. Everyone who lives, owns property or has a business in the unincorporated parts of the County - those areas not inside an incorporated city – can be a member of one of the County's recognized CPOs. Since land use planning within a city is the responsibility of the city, individuals who live inside city limits can be involved in their city's citizen involvement program through Neighborhood Groups or similar associations.
Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI)
The Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) is a citizen advisory board appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The CCI is responsible for assisting the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners and other appropriate governing bodies with the:
- Development of programs and resources that promote and enhance citizen involvement in land use planning
- Implementation of the citizen involvement program
- Evaluating the process being used for citizen involvement, and
- Providing education, training and support
The Citizen Involvement Program (CIP)
State law under Goal 1 of Oregon's statewide planning goals and guidelines requires that a Citizen Involvement Program (CIP) be adopted for providing citizen involvement in all phases of the planning process. The development and review of this process is the responsibility of the CCI.
Role of the Clackamas County Public and Government Affairs Department, Citizen Involvement
The Citizen Involvement staff provides information, referral, and administrative support to the CPOs. The citizen involvement office:
- Assists in the official recognition of CPOs by keeping current by-laws, minutes, names and contact information of CPO officers on file for the public.
- Provides up to $150 reimbursement annually for eligible CPO activities.
- Acts as a resource and referral service for information about the County.
- Assists with formation or reactivation of CPOs.
- Facilitates citizen involvement training sessions.
- Facilitates mediation, mentoring and conflict resolution services if needed.
Clackamas County Online
In response to citizen suggestions, Clackamas County has a set of web pages to provide information on citizen involvement. Web pages include information on the County’s CPOs, citizen advisory boards and commissions, the Committee for Citizen Involvement, and notes and transcripts from CPO meetings and trainings.
Citizen Involvement can be reached by calling (503) 655-8552.
