Our Impact

Aerial shot of farmlands near Hillsboro
LEGAL WIN
LUBA rejects Hillsboro's inflated growth projections

The ruling prevents potential unwarranted UGB expansion and threat valuable surrounding farmland, a win for the careful way we set our urban growth boundaries so that our communities don’t sprawl onto the irreplaceable lands that feed our region and support our economy.

A landscape photo of a vineyard on a hillside, with yellow-and-green vines  and fog in the distance
LEGAL WIN
Court of Appeals rules against loophole allowing hotels on farmland

1000 Friends, in partnership with Friends of Yamhill County, won a case that prevents misuse of the home occupation statute to build hotels on Yamhill County farmland. The ruling is important to safeguarding farmland across the state, where our land use system protects farms from being picked apart for unintended, non-farm activities.

A vista of Marion County
LEGAL WIN
LUBA rejects Marion County attempt to allow large, nonfarm event businesses on farm and forest lands

The Land Use Board of Appeals rejected a Marion County effort to use the home-occupation statute as a backdoor to open farm and forest lands to businesses hosting large-scale, nonfarm events. 1000 Friends of Oregon and Friends of Marion County, which had appealed Marion County’s code amendments, applaud LUBA’s recent decision. 

Scenic area near Port Westward at Clatskanie, Oregon (photo credit Alex Milan Tracy)
LEGAL WIN
Appeals Board Ruling Rejects Major Rail Yard for Proposed Refinery at Port Westward

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) overturned Columbia County’s approval of a 400-car rail yard proposed in tandem with a new major refinery at Port Westward. LUBA reversed the County’s decision because the rail yard is not allowed on farm land.

Hood River landscape2
LEGAL WIN
1000 Friends and Thrive Hood River win precedent-setting legal battle for housing affordability

An August 24, 2022, decision by the Oregon Court of Appeals means there is now a successful example of a small community — in both Oregon and the wider United States — that has passed revolutionary zoning reform to allow a slew of housing types in residential zones. 

Forest
LEGAL WIN
Ruling in Josephine County protects 90 acres of forestland from development

In a win for 1000 Friends of Oregon and Rogue Advocates, the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) ruled against Josephine County’s request to turn about 90 acres of forestland into a residential subdivision.

Photo of a car
LEGAL WIN
Ruling in Lake County determines that junkyards are not allowed on agricultural lands

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) has ruled that junkyards are not an appropriate use of agricultural land. 1000 Friends of Oregon represented petitioners in their fight against Lake County over the County’s decision to allow a junkyard and auto wrecking yard on farmland. 

Barn in Clackamas County
LEGAL WIN
Court of Appeals rules against short-term rentals on Clackamas County farm and forest land

The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that short-term rentals are not allowed on farm or forest land without a permit – a big win for 1000 Friends and a big win for farmers. 

Elk in a field
LEGAL WIN
Douglas County legal decision protects big game habitat, prime forestland and farmland

In a win by 1000 Friends — representing Friends of Douglas County — for residents of Douglas County, the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) remanded a decision by the Douglas County Commission to essentially create a new type of zone through an ordinance that would allow for more development in areas of fire risk, big game habitat, and farm and forestland. 

Columbia River Gorge
LEGAL WIN
Appeals Board rules to protects high-value farmland, clean water, and salmon habitat in the Lower Columbia

1000 Friends of Oregon, Columbia Riverkeeper and farmers at Port Westward celebrated a decision by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) that maintains protections for 837 acres of high-value farmland in the midst of prime salmon habitat.

Aurora Airport
LEGAL WIN
Oregon Supreme Court decision protects 55 acres of farmland

This huge land use victory was reached in the ongoing legal battle over the proposed expansion of the Aurora Airport’s runway.

Wheat field
LEGAL WIN
1000 Friends and affiliate defeat proposal to pave over farmland

Thanks to legal help from 1000 Friends, Friends of Marion County defeated an ill-advised proposal to pave over rich farmland in Marion County with a sprawling, low-density subdivision.