City Council Advances Plan to Build 121 Units of Affordable Housing
May 21, 2024 — At the May 20, 2024, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council adopted a Development and Disposition Agreement (DDA) with Palindrome to construct a 121-unit multi-family development on a 1.3-acre City-owned parcel at the Wilsonville Transit Center.
This transit-oriented development (TOD) project provides new opportunity for households making between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income, and includes a ground-floor welcome center for SMART, a permanent home for Wilsonville Community Sharing, and a coffee house/taproom space as well as outdoor plazas and a play area centered around three existing Douglas-fir trees. The project, which is being subsidized by $8 million in Metro supportive housing bonds and a $1.9 million grant from the Oregon legislature, is targeted for completion by spring 2026.
In conjunction with the action above, the Council adopted a second resolution that establishes a systems development charges (SDC) deferral program for this and future affordable housing projects involving City-owned property. These deferments ensure that such projects are feasible for developers by not requiring them to pay the cost of financing SDCs during the construction period.
The Council adopted an amendment to a City contract with Absco Solutions, providing an additional $45,000 to fund the cost of change orders necessary to expand the security monitoring system to serve other City-owned parks and facilities.
As recommended by the City’s Tourism Promotion Committee, the City Council adopted a five-year action plan and one-year implementation plan for the Wilsonville Tourism Development Strategy.
On second reading, the Wilsonville City Council approved updates to the City’s procurement code to improve clarity and expedite public contracting. Mindful of inflation since code was last updated in 2005, these updates expand the City Manager’s administrative authority to approve contracts of up to $250,000.
During Mayor’s Business, Mayor Julie Fitzgerald led a moment of silence to acknowledge the recent passing of Jim Dunwell, the husband of Councilor Katie Dunwell.
Mayor Fitzgerald summarized her recent trip to Washington D.C. to meet with Oregon’s federal legislators, and also acknowledged National Public Works Week (May 20-24) and Election Day (May 21).
During Communications, Wilsonville High School Principal Kelly Schmidt joined several students in celebration of a few significant achievements from the current school year.
- Sean Sype was recognized for successfully pursuing legislation that allows Oregon jurisdictions to install cameras on school bus stop sign arms as a deterrent to drivers who don’t stop for school buses as required by law. Measure 4147, co-sponsored by Representative Courtney Neron (House District 26), was adopted by the State legislature in March, and becomes effective in 2025.
- The Wilsonville High Girls’ Golf Team was recognized on the occasion of winning the 5A State Championship earlier this month.
- Student body co-president Venecia Gonzales shared with the Council a summary of student accolades and achievements.
At the work session held prior to the meeting, Planning staff sought direction from the Council as to what additional public outreach might be valuable to further inform the Housing Our Future project, which is analyzing the City’s housing needs for the next 20 years and identifying strategies to ensure the City can accommodate those needs.
Planning staff also continued an ongoing dialogue with the Council to identify development code amendments that would support planned residential growth in alignment with the Frog Pond East and South Master Plan and the Equitable Housing Strategic Plan.
The next regular meeting of the City Council takes place on Monday, May 20, at 7 pm; a pre-meeting work session is scheduled at 5 pm.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
May 17 Special Meeting: Council Upholds DRB Decision
At a special meeting of the City Council held on Friday, May 17, the City Council upheld Development Review Board Resolution 432, which denied the continuation of a non-conforming use to the proposed occupant of the property at 29400 SW Town Center Loop West.
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