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In the constant battle of industry vs. government in Portland, industry has notched another victory.

Last week the Oregon Court of Appeals sided with the , an industry group that represents water dependent businesses in the Portland Harbor, on its claim that the city needs a new buildable lands inventory. The ruling comes after the state Land Use Board of Appeals halted the city’s proposed in January, further diminishing the city’s chances of new environmental zoning on the Willamette River.

The North Reach of the River Plan, which covers land along the Willamette River north of the Broadway Bridge, was passed by the city last year. It was immediately appealed by the WWC to LUBA, and eventually was remanded back to the city with the request that the city determine how much industrial land will be lost with the new zoning and how that land will be replaced.

The WWC didn’t think that was enough, so it appealed the LUBA decision to the Court of Appeals saying the city failed to address Statewide Planning goal 15, which requires various activities to be protected along the Willamette River. The goal couldn’t be met, the WWC said, unless the city conducted a buildable lands inventory. The Court of Appeals sided with the group.

While there isn’t an end in sight to the remand for the city, a buildable lands inventory could be a stepping stone to moving forward with the River Plan.

As part of the city’s , a 25 year vision, city officials plan to conduct a buildable lands inventory. The issue will first be discussed by the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission, along with a public hearing, at the Tuesday, June 28 . The meeting is at 6 p.m. at 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., room 2500.

– Nick Bjork