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The people have spoken.

The Portland-area regional government, Metro, has compiled results from an online survey taken by more than 600 citizens representing 40 different communities in the Portland metro area. The survey focused around citizen’s thoughts on a potential urban growth boundary expansion and Metro’s proposed Community Investment Strategy.

The bulk of the results were focused around the Community Investment Strategy – where the area should focus public and private resources – more so than the UGB expansion.

More than 70 percent of survey respondents indicated parks and natural areas should have a higher priority in regional investment. Similarly, 68 percent said factoring climate change into investment decisions should be a priority as well.

Most respondents agreed that the environment was an important part of the Community Investment Strategy. But they were split on who should make the decisions, with 50 percent supporting regional control of regulations for the strategy and 40 percent opposing it. The remaining 10 percent said they didn’t have a preference.

Three-quarters of respondents said any transportation improvements done by Metro should also consider its effects on housing affordability as well.

Metro will use the results of the survey to drive decisions by the on where to focus future investment. The council is also required under state law to make a decision on whether to expand the UGB or not by the end of December.