City Council Report for Oct. 17, 2016
On Oct. 17, 2016, the Wilsonville City Council held a second reading and approved the Coffee Creek Urban Renewal Plan. The plan, which covers approximately 258 acres of land located in the northwest quadrant of Wilsonville bounded by Day Road, Ridder Road, 95th Avenue and Grahams Ferry Road, establishes how the City’s Urban Renewal Agency proposes to fund the public infrastructure required to transform the now largely undeveloped rural area into an urban employment center. The plan establishes a maximum indebtedness of $67 million, which sets the limit on urban renewal funding also known as tax increment financing, that is to be invested to build public infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and water and waste-water services. A citizen task force recommended creation of the urban renewal district, which was approved by Wilsonville voters in a November 2015 advisory vote.
The City Council held a first reading and approved an ordinance that creates time, place and manner regulations on the operation of marijuana-related businesses that may locate within the City should voters reject Ballot Measure 3-486, thereby voicing a desire to have the City remove its current ban on marijuana-related businesses. The City Council seeks to be prepared with rules that govern where, when and how marijuana-related businesses can locate within Wilsonville in the event the ban is discontinued by voters. If voters vote to continue the ban, this Ordinance will be moot and will not apply in that the facilities will continue to be banned. The ordinance establishes local regulations for the operation of marijuana-related businesses. A second hearing of the ordinance is planned for the City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m., at City Hall.
During the meeting the City Council held a second reading and adopted a “Restricted Truck Zone” ordinance that prohibits semi-trucks from passing through an eastern segment of Wilsonville Road between Town Center Loop East and Boeckman Road. The truck restriction allows local deliveries, but does not allow semi-trucks to use Wilsonville Road as a cut through alternative to the freeway. The City did not receive any additional comments or concerns about the proposed ordinance since the Oct. 3 City Council meeting when the public hearing was held open between meetings. The ordinance takes effect in 30 days and City Council intends to review the restriction after a 90-day period to evaluate the ordinance’s impact and effectiveness.
The Council also held a second reading and approved an ordinance to address evolving wireless communications facilities, including the siting of small-cell/distributed-antenna systems. The City Council recognizes the need to balance the concern over potential aesthetic issues related to the proliferation of wireless communications facilities with the benefit that these providers can offer in enhancing cellular coverage for Wilsonville residents, businesses and visitors. The new code provides flexibility for the siting of needed wireless communications facilities while balancing the need to preserve City aesthetics and be in in compliance with City, state and federal laws.
The City Council held a first reading and approved a Zone Map amendment from Public Facility to the Village Zone for of a 1.29-acre site located in the Villebois Village Center at the northeast corner of Costa Circle West and Barber Street to allow the development of 16 detached row houses along with associated streets. The proposal was previously approved by Development Review Board DRB) Panel B on Sept. 26 with a DRB recommendation to support the Zone Map amendment.
During the communications portion of the meeting staff introduced two newly hired employees: Building Official Dan Carlson and Assistant City Attorney Amanda Guile-Hinman.
Under Mayor’s Business the Council appointed Karla Tovar, a Marketing Communications and Tourism Specialist at World of Speed, to serve on the Tourism Promotion Committee to fill an unexpired term ending June 30, 2018.
During work session prior to the meeting, City Council heard reports and held discussions regarding the process to appoint a new Municipal Court Judge to replace Judge Gleeson who is retiring from the position. The Council also heard reports and discussed the Basalt Creek Concept Plan, French Prairie Bridge project, and various changes to reduce traffic congestion at Boones Ferry and Wilsonville Road during peak travel times.
Community members are able to watch a replay of all or a portion of the City Council meetings on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 30, Frontier Ch. 32 or on the City’s video-on-demand service at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
