City Council Renews Annual Tax Exemptions to Provide Affordable Housing at Five Locations
March 8, 2022 — At the March 7, 2022, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council granted annual property-tax exemptions to five multi-family facilities — Autumn Park Apartments, Charleston Apartments, Creekside Woods LP, Rain Garden LP and Wiedemann Park — that provide 365 residential units of affordable housing. These annual exemptions allow the facilities to provide lower-cost rent to families, seniors and individuals meeting income qualifications.
On second reading, the Council adopted two ordinances that annex and rezone 9.7 acres in the Frog Pond West neighborhood. These actions accommodate the development of a new 29-lot residential sub-division consistent with the Frog Pond West Master Plan.
Additionally, the Council approved a resolution that allows City Parks & Recreation staff to pursue a Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) grant that would fund improvements on a trail segment at The Park at Merryfield.
During Mayor’s Businesses, Mayor Fitzgerald expressed her gratitude for a $1.9 million appropriation from the State Legislature, championed by District 26 Rep. Courtney Neron, that supports a transit-oriented housing development to be built adjacent the Wilsonville Transit Center. The grant supports first-floor space beneficial to residents of affordable housing.
During Communications, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue personnel shared a ‘state of the district’ report that summarized recent activities, including the opening of Station 54 in Charbonneau last year. TVF&R’s quarterly newsletter, Safety First, is available here.
Additionally, a presentation from local Arbor Villebois HOA summarized for the Council how that organization spent a Community Enhancement Program allocation earmarked to mitigate the damage from the February 2021 ice storm.
During City Manager’s Business, Bryan Cosgrove provided an update on the status of the City’s process to hire a new City Attorney. The Council is tentatively scheduled to meet in executive session on Friday evening at 6 pm to evaluate two finalists for the position.
Cosgrove and the Council agreed to begin in-person meetings of Boards and Commissions, including the City Council, in April. Cosgrove indicated that when the State’s mask mandates are eliminated, the City will continue to follow State health recommendations. Occupants of City buildings, including employees and guests, may choose whether to wear a mask indoors.
At the work session held prior to the meeting, Planning staff sought additional direction from Council to inform how a recent affordable housing analysis might impact the Frog Pond East & South Master Plan. The Council also begin considering how a commercial center should be integrated into the future neighborhood.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, Mar. 21, 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.
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