Bob Stacey, a pioneering figure in Oregon’s growth, has died

Bob Stacey, one in all Oregon’s most influential figures in land use and transportation, died Thursday on the age of 72.

Stacey was one of many pioneering attorneys who helped lay the authorized foundations for Oregon’s distinctive progress administration system, which limits suburban sprawl and protects farmlands and different open area. He helped wage a type of authorized battles in opposition to the Rajneeshee cult, which tried to construct a metropolis on farmland in Central Oregon’s Wasco County within the Nineteen Eighties.

As Portland’s planning director within the early Nineties, Stacey helped deliver denser housing growth to town as he sought to accommodate inhabitants progress with out having to depend on ever-increasing suburban sprawl. He later held prime coverage roles for TriMet and within the administration of Gov. Barbara Roberts, the place he sought to bolster transit and different alternate options to driving. He additionally served as a councilor for Metro, the Portland space’s regional authorities, from 2012 till he stepped down in 2021 as he battled well being issues.

“Oregon simply misplaced crucial individual that most individuals have by no means heard of,” U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer mentioned in a press release saying Stacey’s dying.

In an earlier tribute to Stacey on the Home flooring final yr, Blumenauer mentioned: “He’s been a thought chief in all issues that matter — environmental safety, land use, local weather, site visitors congestion, inexpensive housing, air high quality, financial growth.”

Whereas Stacey could also be largely unknown to common Oregonians, he helped form the best way Oregon grew, and he schooled generations of activists on the significance of curbing the type of sprawling growth so typically discovered across the nation.

“Bob by no means ran out of artistic concepts on shield Oregon’s communities, farms and forests, and join all of them collectively,” Metro President Lynn Peterson mentioned in a press release.

When he stepped down, Stacey praised Portland’s regional authorities, saying it has the authority to work with native governments all through the world to develop a coordinated progress coverage.

“We’ve got a aggressive benefit, to be emulated,” he mentioned on the company’s webpage. “I’m actually optimistic in regards to the area’s prospects, by way of economic system, progress growth – and the assets that maintain this place particular.”

Stacey was one of many authentic staffers for 1000 Buddies of Oregon, the watchdog group arrange shortly after the creation of Oregon’s statewide planning system by the Legislature in 1973. The group, backed by iconic Gov. Tom McCall after he left workplace in 1975, performed a giant authorized and lobbying position in guaranteeing that Oregon would have a powerful system.

In his first years on the job, Stacey fought for a powerful city progress boundary across the Portland area and helped kind alliances with the housing business to form new growth patterns. Stacey’s job was “all issues city,” recalled Richard Benner. Benner went to legislation faculty with Stacey and labored for 1000 Buddies.

As a gubernatorial aide to Roberts, Stacey inspired her to oppose a proposed freeway — the Westside Bypass — on the western fringes of Washington County. He incessantly biked to work and round city, and a bicycle and pedestrian overpass was named for him in Southeast Portland.

In his lengthy profession, Stacey additionally served at occasions as a prime aide to Blumenauer at Portland Metropolis Corridor and within the U.S. Home.

In his flooring speech final yr, Blumenauer mentioned that the Rajneeshees had as soon as tried to poison Stacey. The congressman was referring to a field of sweets despatched to 1000 Buddies, ostensibly from supporters within the Columbia Gorge. Stacey shortly grew to become suspicious that the Rajneeshees might need poisoned the candies after he discovered the chocolate didn’t truly come from the Gorge group.

Benner, who additionally was one of many authentic 1000 Buddy attorneys, mentioned the group by no means truly examined the sweets. However the Rajneeshees had been behind the poisoning of quite a few salad bars in The Dalles that well being authorities discovered sickened greater than 700 patrons. Ma Anand Sheela, the highest aide to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, in addition to one other prime Rajneeshee official, later served jail phrases on a number of costs, together with ones associated to the assaults.

After serving a number of posts in authorities, Stacey returned to go 1000 Buddies within the early 2000s. On the time, voter-approved property rights initiatives had been threatening the way forward for the land planning system. Stacey labored with legislators to supply a measure that gave rural property house owners the proper to construct some extra homes however that prevented large-scale developments.

He was recognized in 2012 with meningioma, which causes tumors in and across the cranium, Metro officers mentioned. The situation worsened final yr, forcing him to step down from the company. He’s survived by his spouse, Adrienne Stacey, and by two daughters and two grandchildren.