Civic leaders and community members in North Plains are in the midst of envisioning the future of their town with a population of about 3,500. The most contentious element in this Washington county town is over the size and shape of the urban growth boundary to plan for population and economic growth and expand its tax base. Downtown North Plains is the town's main commercial center, beginning at the intersection of Glencoe Road and Commercial Street, seen here on May 19, 2026.
Allison Frost / OPB
Editor’s Note: This episode of Think Out Loud was recorded on Thursday, June 11. Four days after we recorded the episode, the North Plains City Council voted to terminate the employment of city manager Bill Reid. At that same meeting, our first guest, library director Robin Doughty, was named interim city manager.
The city of North Plains has a population that hovers around 3,500. Like so many small communities in Oregon, it has a strong sense of identity and a closeness among residents that bigger cities just don’t have.
As part of our effort to cover both urban and rural communities all over the state, we sent out a community survey to find out what people in this Washington County town value and the challenges they face.
We heard predominantly about the quality of life in North Plains and the challenges of reconciling different views on how to improve life here and plan for growth.
We invited the community to participate in a conversation about the city at the Atfalati Ridge Elementary School in North Plains on June 11, 2026.
About 55 people filled the seats of the gymnasium, and many shared their thoughts about what they think makes North Plains special, and why they think the urban growth boundary should be left alone or expanded.
Our guests included Robin Doughty, director of the North Plains Public Library; Rowan Maiorano, assistant planner for the city; Daniel Stinchfield, who sits on the UGB Public Advisory Committee; Patti Burns, director of the Senior Center and Vice President of the North Plains Events Association; Lora Dexheimer, founder of the North Plains Food Bank; Russ Sheldon, business owner and former city councilor; and Emily Waldron and Elizabeth Beaupain with Friends of Smart Growth North Plains.
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