City Council Approves Pursuit of Housing Grant, Transfer of Cable Franchise and Appeal of Aviation Board Action
November 5, 2019 — During the November 4 Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council passed a resolution to support a grant application that aids the City’s equitable housing efforts.
If successful, a $181,500 Technical Assistance Grant from Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) would fund technical support services for the “Wilsonville Housing Variety Implementation Project.” The project would address barriers to development of different types of housing to make home ownership more attainable to more people while satisfying “middle housing” requirements mandated by the 2019 passage of House Bill 2001. The project would support the City’s Equitable Housing Strategic Plan, and include focus on future development in the Frog Pond South and East areas.
The Council approved the transfer of control of the local cable franchise from Frontier Communications to Northwest Fiber, which purchased Frontier this year. Frontier customers in Wilsonville should not experience any change in service as a result of this transfer, which is subject to final approval of the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.
During Legal Business, Council directed staff to appeal the Oregon Aviation Board’s Oct. 31 adoption of Findings of Compatibility and Compliance related to the Aurora State Airport 2012 Master Plan Update. The City may proceed with an appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and also file an action in circuit court.
State Rep. Christine Drazan, House Minority Leader, whose district includes Charbonneau, gave a report on the 2019 legislative session, including efforts to assist homeless and unaccompanied youth, address suicide prevention and provide paid postage for election ballots.
During the work session prior to the meeting, staff sought direction a preferred design for the City’s I-5 monument signs at Wilsonville Rd. The 20-year old signs are being refreshed to incorporate current City logos and complement designs to be implemented in the adopted Signage & Wayfinding Plan.
City planning staff also presented Council with a summary of two legislative actions, House Bills 2001 and 2003, enacted by the state earlier this year. The conversation is to inform what actions staff and Council may take in the future to comply with these bills, designed to spur future residential development that addresses the lack of affordable housing in the Portland metro area.
Additionally, economic development staff laid out details of a proposed revision to the City’s Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Zones that provide an incentive for high-value, high-employment development in Wilsonville. New provisions would provide more flexibility around program qualifications and site location in order to attract a wider range of businesses.
Community members can watch a replay of all or a portion of the City Council meeting on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 30, Frontier Ch. 32 or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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