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MEMORANDUM <br /> October 16, 1997 <br /> TO: Johnny Medlin <br /> FROM: John Etter <br /> SUBJECT: Criteria and rationale for acquiring Moon Mountain Park <br /> Moon Mountain has been judged in various publically adopted planning documents as one of <br /> those special topographic and natural resource features that is judged worthy of being preserved <br /> for the enjoyment by the general public, as well as the integrity of a natural resources system and <br /> recreation potential. It is in the same category as Spencer Butte, Baldy (east of Dillard Road), <br /> Gillespie Butte, Hendricks Park, and the Willamette Riverfront Park system which includes the <br /> Delta Ponds. <br /> Three elements of the Metro Plan address the value of lands that typically constitute the natural <br /> open space which characterizes metropolitan class parks. Several objective and policy <br /> statements within those elements are germane to the issue of acquiring Moon Mountain for a <br /> park. In the Environmental Resources Element, they include (beginning on p. III -C -9 of the <br /> Metro Plan): <br /> 14. Metropolitan Goal relating to scenic quality, water quality, vegetation and <br /> wildlife, open space, and recreational potential shall be given higher priority than timber <br /> harvest within the urban growth boundary. <br /> 18. Local governments shall develop plans and programs which carefully manage <br /> development on hillsides and in water bodies and restrict development in wetlands in <br /> order to protect the scenic quality, surface water and groundwater quality, forest values, <br /> vegetation, and wildlife values of those areas. <br /> 25. When planning for and regulating development, local governments shall each <br /> continue to consider the need for protection of open spaces, including those characterized <br /> by significant vegetation and wildlife. Means of protecting open space include but are <br /> not limited to outright acquisition, conservation easements, planned unit development <br /> ordinances,....donations to the public, and performance zoning. <br /> In the Environmental Design Element, they include (beginning on p.III -E -3): <br /> 5. (Objective) Enhance views and public use of river corridors, drainage ways, and <br /> prominent topographic features, such as ridgelines and buttes, within the jurisdiction of <br /> the Metropolitan Plan, when consistent with other planning policies. <br />