We litigate cases to enforce and uphold the land use planning system. In coordination with local organizations that we serve through our affiliate program and our Cooperating Attorney Program, our staff attorneys also provide pro bono legal resources and representation to Oregonians in land use cases consistent with our mission.
Friends of Marion County v. Marion County (Land Use Board of Appeals)
1000 Friends of Oregon has partnered with our affiliate organization, Friends of Marion County, to appeal Marion County’s approval of the conversion of 20 acres of high-value farmland into rural residential housing. This is the second appeal of this conversion, after the Land Use Board of Appeals previously agreed with all of 1000 Friends’ and Friends of Marion County’s arguments as to why the conversion was illegal.
Despite this ruling, Marion County has once again approved the conversion. The County is attempting to use a provision of the land use planning system that allows properties that are “irrevocably committed” to nonfarm use to be removed from exclusive farm use zoning. But the conflicts the County relies on are not supported by the evidence on the ground, so 1000 Friends and Friends of Marion County have returned to the Land Use Board of Appeals to appeal the decision again.
Status: Currently before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals
Counsel: John Butterfield representing Friends of Marion County
Redside Restoration Project One v. Deschutes County (Oregon Supreme Court)
1000 Friends has partnered with Central Oregon LandWatch, local ranchers and vintners, and other local parties to appeal Deschutes County’s decision to rezone a 710-acre tract of agricultural land for a 70+ home subdivision in the middle of the county’s exclusive farm use zone, about 4.5 miles northwest of Redmond and about 5 miles west of Terrebonne.
Together, our coalition has asked the Oregon Supreme Court to review this approval, arguing that the rezoning fails to comply with Statewide Planning Goal 3. Goal 3 protects agricultural lands and ensures that the next generation of farmers and ranchers in Oregon can continue to produce the agricultural products that nourish and sustain us.
Case name: Eden Central II
Status: Oregon Supreme Court Petition Filed
Counsel: Blair Batson and John Butterfield representing a local ranching family
1000 Friends of Oregon et al. v. City of North Plains (Land Use Board of Appeals)
1000 Friends of Oregon and other smart growth advocates have appealed the City of North Plains’ Housing Needs Analysis, which relies on outdated population-growth estimates. Ensuring cities and counties use accurate, up-to-date forecasts for housing and employment needs ensures that working lands aren’t sacrificed for development that never materializes.
1000 Friends remains committed to ensuring that Oregon’s unique land use planning system is not compromised by short-term expansion goals and will be asking the Land Use Board of Appeals to remand North Plains’ HNA for revisions to reflect sensible population projections for the City going forward.
Case name: City of North Plains HNA
Status: Currently before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals
Counsel: John Butterfield and Eve Goldman representing 1000 Friends of Oregon
Friends of Yamhill County v. Yamhill County (Land Use Board of Appeals)
1000 Friends is representing affiliates Friends of Yamhill County in an appeal of Yamhill County’s decision to approve a hotel on high value farmland. The County approved the application pursuant to a law that allows "home occupations," finding that the building qualified as a dwelling despite being designed and operated as a hotel. This case was stayed pending the Oregon Supreme Court's decision in the Grange Hill case, which involved a similar fact pattern. (A synopsis of the Supreme Court’s Grange Hill decision is available under “recent successes.”) We are currently awaiting LUBA’s decision, due mid-December.
Status: Currently awaiting a final decision from the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals
Counsel: Eve Goldman representing Friends of Yamhill County
UGB Addition of Sherwood West Area, Metro Ordinance No. 24-1520 (Land Conservation and Development Commission Appeal)
Metro, the regional governing body for the greater Portland area, is charged with managing the regional Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), working with citizens, elected leaders, and researchers to plan for future growth and meet the needs for housing, jobs, and transportation. Every six years, Metro assesses whether there is enough capacity inside the UGB for 20 years of housing and job growth.
In response to the Metro Council's call for city submissions for expansion proposals, the City of Sherwood proposed bringing in the 1,291-acre Sherwood West urban reserve to support regional housing and employment needs. On December 5, 2024, following several rounds of public comments, the Metro Council adopted Ordinance No.24-1520, amending the existing UGB to include the Sherwood West area. 1000 Friends, along with nine other parties, filed objections to the UGB amendment submittal.
1000 Friends' main concern was that the Metro Council failed to consider both reasonable measures to use land within the existing UGB to meet the estimated needs of the project and alternative sites for the proposed UGB expansion. In April 2025, the DLCD Director approved the UGB expansion. Seven parties, including 1000 Friends, appealed the Director's decision to Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC). LCDC heard the appeal at its September 2025 meeting. We are currently awaiting LCDC's final written decision and will consider all available options upon review of the decision.
Case name: Sherwood UGB Proposal
Status: Currently awaiting a final written decision from the Land Conservation and Development Commission
Counsel: Eve Goldman representing 1000 Friends of Oregon and Tualatin Riverkeepers