The greater Damascus Area Community Design Workshop is an effort to create a regional model for the potential urban growth boundary expansion area that is environmentally sound, that provides a variety of housing and job choices for current and future residents, and fairly distributes the benefits and burdens of development among current and future residents of all incomes and backgrounds. This effort involves residents of the local area and region with a variety of interests and perspectives.

The goal is to apply design principles for urbanization that respect the unique visual quality and rural history of the area; use land efficiently; protect and restore natural areas and ecological processes important to people, fish and wildlife; preserve clean and natural flow in area streams; improve air quality; protect and create opportunities to grow food; provide for a fair share of the region's new jobs; include ample housing, schools, public infrastructure and facilities and transportation choices in every neighborhood; and preserve and create cultural opportunities throughout the community.