Envision Sandy 2050 (Comprehensive Plan)
On February 20, 2020, the City Council adopted a Council goal to initiate an update of the City's Comprehensive Plan which was created in 1997. This goal included a plan to review options and approve an implementation strategy to update the Comprehensive Plan. Over the following year, staff worked on identifying a schedule, forming a budget, applying for grants, and other miscellaneous tasks associated with initiating an update to the Comprehensive Plan. On March 8, 2021, the City Council adopted a Council goal to begin the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan and provided the Development Services Department with supplemental funds to hire a consultant.
Over the following year, staff received a technical assistance grant, executed a request for qualification process, and came to an agreement on a scope of work and budget with 3J Consulting. On March 7, 2022, the City of Sandy officially launched “Envision Sandy 2050,” by holding the kickoff meeting with 3J Consulting.
Over the course of the past few years, City staff and volunteers (including the Planning Commission and City Council), with assistance from 3J Consulting, embarked on a public process to completely update the Comprehensive Plan. City staff and 3J Consulting led outreach and engagement efforts to better understand the community’s vision and priorities related to Sandy’s future. The Envision Sandy 2050 process touched more than 1,000 community members through Community Conversations, community events, online surveys, and the Sandy Speaks webpage (on longer in use). Activities were designed to identify common themes around the aspirations and concerns of a community, which were a key piece to the development of the community-wide Vision Statement for the Comprehensive Plan.
The technical assistance grant was from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for $50,000. The City applied some of the grant money to contract with ECONorthwest, a planning and economics consultant firm, to develop a Housing Capacity Analysis (HCA) and an Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA). These two documents were adopted in April of 2024 and provide a factual basis for some of the goals and polices in Envision Sandy 2050. Both the HCA and EOA can be found at the bottom of this page.
At a public hearing on August 26, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended a number of edits to the Envision Sandy 2050 document and recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment. At a public hearing on October 7, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-18, which adopted a new comprehensive plan for the city of Sandy. The adopted ordinance, findings, and Envision Sandy 2050 Comprehensive Plan can be found at the bottom of this page.
Community and Culture
In 2050, Sandy retains its small-town feel through a celebration of community and place. Downtown Sandy is a clean, walkable, and vibrant place to dine, shop, and gather. The beautification of downtown showcases public art, honors Sandy’s history, and celebrates its location as “The Gateway to Mt. Hood.” Public amenities and facilities provide places to play, grow, and learn for residents of all ages. Sandy supports events like the Sandy Mountain Festival that bring people together and promote a spirit of inclusivity. Non-profit and volunteer organizations offer meaningful services to the community and provide opportunities for civic engagement.
Governance and Growth Management
In 2050, Sandy is proactive in managing and planning for growth. Sandy is an innovative community that addresses change through thoughtful planning and effective governance. Growth and development are guided by community values, fiscal responsibility, and strategic investments in services and infrastructure. Premier fire, police and emergency response services ensure safety for residents. Regulatory tools and practices are consistently updated to address new issues, and new development contributes to the expansion of public utilities. Leadership and residents engage with one another in decision-making processes so new opportunities benefit the community while preserving Sandy’s small-town feel.
Parks, Trails, and Natural Resources
In 2050, Sandy’s natural and scenic landscape is an extension of the community. Clean rivers, healthy trees, and wildlife habitats are carefully conserved to promote biodiversity. Forested areas within the City are protected as parks, trails and natural open space. Sandy preserves the unique character and charm of beloved assets like Meinig Memorial Park, Sandy River Park, the Tickle Creek Trail, and Jonsrud Viewpoint. The City continues to develop recreation programs and a diverse and accessible park and trail system that is clean, safe, and functional, serving the needs of residents.
Natural Hazards and Resiliency
In 2050, Sandy is resilient in the face of natural hazards. As stewards of clean air, water, and land resources for future generations, Sandy guides the design of the built environment to protect, enhance, and be integrated with natural systems. The threat of wildfire and earthquakes is mitigated through emergency preparedness, education, and proactive planning. Sandy collaborates with local agencies, including Fire Districts, Clackamas County, and regional partners to plan for actions that can lessen the impact of natural hazards, ensuring the City and its partners have long-term strategies for protecting the community.
Housing and Economy
In 2050, Sandy is home to desirable neighborhoods and a strong workforce. Thriving commercial and industrial districts provide balanced employment opportunities at all levels. A variety of businesses meet the daily needs of residents and contribute to Sandy’s sense of place. A strong tourism industry provides opportunities for businesses and supports the local economy. Sandy’s workers have access to a variety of housing choices that allow residents to move in, move up or age in place, ensuring families can live, work, and thrive in Sandy across multiple generations. Balanced housing choices contribute to safe, walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods that connect residents to nearby parks, trails, businesses and key destinations.
Transportation and Infrastructure
In 2050, Sandy boasts modern and reliable public facilities and services that support carefully planned growth. The City invests in infrastructure that provides clean drinking water, treats wastewater while protecting our watersheds, and mitigates the effects of stormwater runoff. The expansion, operation, and maintenance of public services is supported through sustainable and balanced funding sources. SandyNet continues to provide reliable, fast and state-of-the-art internet service to the City’s residents. Sandy’s transportation system prioritizes safety, connectivity, and accessibility, with an emphasis on local street connections to reduce reliance on arterial roads such as Highways 26 and 211 for local trips. Safe, efficient, high-quality transit service, as well as a network of sidewalks and bike facilities, provides an alternative to private automobile use, supporting efficient use of roadways and reducing air pollution and energy use.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is the blueprint for the next few decades. It covers topics like land use, economic development, environmental sustainability, natural resources, public facilities, transportation, and more. Sandy's last Comprehensive Plan was written in 1997, so it's time for a new one!
There are three key goals of a Comprehensive Plan:
1. Provide a vision for the future of Sandy which can be actualized into goals, priorities, and policies.
2. Create an opportunity for stakeholders like residents, business owners, and community leaders to get together to discuss ideas.
3. Give a roadmap for developers to ensure that future development is aligned with Sandy’s priorities
