News
The Wilsonville City Council held a first reading and approved 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 through-truck restriction strives to address concerns about noise, safety and vibration as the large freight trucks pass through the largely residential neighborhoods and schools along this portion of Wilsonville Road. The proposed restriction also seeks to discourage the use of Wilsonville Road as an alternate route between Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. If approved, City Council intends to evaluate the restriction for a 90-day period after adoption to determine whether the ban is effective.
The City of Wilsonville announced the hiring of Dan Carlson as the City’s new Building Official, assuming the position previously held by long-term Building Official Martin Brown who retired this summer.
September 30, 2016 - The City of Wilsonville invites interested members of the public to apply to serve on an advisory task force for the French Prairie Bridge Project. The scope of this project includes developing preliminary designs for a proposed bicycle/pedestrian/emergency responder crossing of the Willamette River west of the I-5 Boone Bridge. Task force members are to meet at least four times over the next two years to discuss technical analyses, public input and project recommendations. Task force applications are due by Friday, Oct. 14 and are available at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/FrenchPrairieBridge.
As part of the now-underway Kinsman Road extension project that connects Barber Street and Boeckman Road just east of the Villebois neighborhood, a nighttime closure of the Barber Bridge, 9:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m., is planned to begin in the evening on Monday, October 10, and last until late November.
During the day and also regular commuting hours, a single travel lane across the bridge is to remain open, but travelers should expect delays and are encouraged to use the established detour route along Wilsonville and Brown Roads. A map of the detour route is available at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/RoadConstruction.
Findings from the recently completed National Citizen Survey™ (NCS) of Wilsonville were presented to the Wilsonville City Council by Ashley Perez de Tejada, Survey Consultant for the National Research Center (NRC) based in Boulder, Colorado. She reported that the NRC found that of the 127 different standard community measurements included in the survey, 26 of Wilsonville’s ratings exceeded national benchmarks, 96 were similar and only five ratings were lower than other cities in the U.S. which also participate in the survey. The survey also asked community members what they think are the biggest priorities for the City over the next five years which were reported to be: 1. Traffic, roads and transportation (38%); 2. Planning, growth and expansion (24%), and 3. Housing and affordability (18%).
Findings from the recently completed National Citizen Survey™ (NCS) of Wilsonville were presented at the September 19 meeting of the Wilsonville City Council by Ashley Perez de Tejada, Survey Consultant for the National Research Center (NRC) based in Boulder, Colorado. The 2016 survey is the third statistically-valid questionnaire conducted for the community over the past six years, providing the opinions of a representative sample of 536 residents of Wilsonville. The local survey also compares current results with results from over 500 communities across the U.S. as well as to past local surveys completed in 2014 and 2012.
On September 8, 2016, the City Council held a second reading and approved an ordinance for a Zone Map amendment of a 3.2-acre site located in the Villebois Village Center west of Villebois Drive North, south of the future Paris Avenue to allow the parcel to be developed as 82 condominiums and 10 row houses along with associated streets, alleys, and open space. The Council action changed the parcel’s zoning from Public Facility to the Village Zone. The proposal was previously approved by Development Review Board (DRB) Panel B on July 25, and by City Council during first reading of the ordinance on August 15.
The City Council continued until the date certain of October 17 the second reading of a proposed ordinance to adopt the Coffee Creek Urban Renewal Plan. Mayor Tim Knapp indicated that the City Council would wait to act until prior approval by Washington County Board of Commissioners.
The City of Wilsonville is holding a public workshop on the proposed Boones Ferry Road to Brown Road connector roadway on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 5:00–6:30 p.m., at Wilsonville City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East.
The City of Wilsonville is accepting applications until Friday, September 16, 4 p.m., from representatives of the greater Wilsonville-area hospitality and tourism industry to fill a vacancy on the City’s Tourism Promotion Committee. The City seeks to fill the remaining term of Position No.7, which expires June 30, 2018; the position is eligible for re-appointment to a standard three-year-long term.
The City of Wilsonville is holding a public open house on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5:00–6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East, to provide community members an opportunity to review and comment on a draft master plan for the Frog Pond West neighborhood — the 180-acre area immediately north of Boeckman Road and west of Stafford Road.
The plan includes recommendations for neighborhood zoning, residential design guidelines, street designs and the provision of parks, trails and open spaces. The purpose of the master plan, along with a development code, is to guide future development in the neighborhood.
Immediately following the open house the Planning Commission is holding a work session to review and discuss the draft plan and the public is also welcome to attend and provide comment.
Open Houses materials are available on the project website at: www.ci.wilsonville.or.us.
The City of Wilsonville is holding a public open house on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5:00–6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East, to provide community members an opportunity to review and comment on a draft master plan for the Frog Pond West neighborhood — the 180-acre area immediately north of Boeckman Road and west of Stafford Road.
The plan includes recommendations for neighborhood zoning, residential design guidelines, street designs and the provision of parks, trails and open spaces. The purpose of the master plan, along with a development code, is to guide future development in the neighborhood.
Immediately following the open house the Planning Commission is holding a work session to review and discuss the draft plan and the public is also welcome to attend and provide comment.
Open Houses materials are available on the project website at: www.ci.wilsonville.or.us.
Clackamas County is conducting an online comment opportunity until July 15 for a proposal by members of the Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to remove the “Rural Reserves” protection of 800 acres of the French Prairie Rural Reserve immediately south of Wilsonville to facilitate damaging, inappropriate development. At a June 28 County open-house event in Wilsonville, 300-350 area residents and business owners attended who generally expressed opposition to the BCC proposal and supported continued protection of the French Prairie Rural Reserve.
Clackamas County public online comment opportunity:
Until July 15: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2879184/New-standard-survey
Flyer Summarizing Key Issues for County Online Comment
County Reserves Information Webpage: www.clackamas.us/planning/reserves.html...
The City of Wilsonville, in partnership with homebuilder Costa Pacific Communities, is holding a free, public grand-opening for Montague Park on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6-8 p.m., located on Villebois Drive North between Costa Circle and Orleans Avenue.
The event includes refreshments provided by Costa Pacific Communities with live music from The Whiskey Darlings, Michele Van Kleef & Rob Rainwater and a theatrical performance by the Wilsonville Theater Company.
The public is invited to bring a picnic or buy food at the Koi Fusion’s food truck, which will be at the park throughout the event.
A park dedication and flag-raising ceremony takes place at 6:10 pm with the theatrical performance and concert beginning at 6:30 pm. Local Boy Scout Troop 194 is leading the flag-raising ceremony at the Park’s flag pole, which originally stood in front of the former Dammasch State Hospital.
On August 15, 2016, the City Council held a first reading and approved an ordinance for a Zone Map amendment of a 3.2-acre site located in the Villebois Village Center west of Villebois Drive North, south of the future Paris Avenue to allow the parcel to be developed as 82 condominiums and 10 row houses along with associated streets, alleys, and open space. The Council action changed the parcel’s zoning from Public Facility to the Village Zone. The proposal was previously approved by Development Review Board (DRB) Panel B on July 25.
The City of Wilsonville has released the “2016-17 Annual Report,” which is being distributed to all residences and businesses in Wilsonville.
The “2016-17 Annual Report” reviews community highlights and key accomplishments by the City over the past year, examines the fiscal year 2016-17 operating budget, and presents information on various City programs, services and volunteer boards and commissions. The “2016-17 Annual Report” marks the fifth year that the City has produced an annual report-type document that reviews the prior fiscal year highlights and previews upcoming projects over the next year.
City Manager Bryan Cosgrove said, “The annual report provides our residents and businesses an overview of public and private projects, an update on key Council goals and a preview of the activity slated for the upcoming fiscal year.”
On August 1, 2016, the Wilsonville City Council held a first reading, public hearing and adopted an ordinance to approve the Coffee Creek Urban Renewal Plan. The plan, which covers approximately 258 acres of land located between Day Road, Ridder Road, 95th Avenue and Grahams Ferry Road, establishes how the City’s Urban Renewal Agency proposes to fund and build the public infrastructure that is needed to transform the now largely undeveloped area into a new employment center with approximately 1,470 jobs and an estimated annual payroll of $55 million. 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.
South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART), the City of Wilsonville’s public transit agency, is launching a new mobile app known as Spatial Positioning on Transit (SPOT) that provides SMART riders real-time arrival predictions for all of buses, automated onboard announcements and system alerts from the transit agency.
The technology, developed by ETA Transit Systems, is now integrated into SMART’s existing website, www.RideSMART.com, and is available to view live from any computer at smartpublic.etaspot.net. The mobile app, ETA SPOT, may be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.
SMART Transit Director Stephan Lashbrook says, “Not long ago, the idea of being able to use your computer or smart phone to find your bus would have seemed futuristic. Now it is our reality and it makes riding a bus even easier.”
The Wilsonville Road railroad crossing west of Interstate 5 requires permanent repairs to be made beginning on Friday, August 5, 8 p.m. The repair project requires a full closure of Wilsonville Road with a detour route to be in effect through Monday, August 8, 6 a.m. The detour route is on Barber Street accessed of off Wilsonville Road from either Boones Ferry Road or Kinsman Road. The weekend-long closure includes the bike lanes and sidewalks along this section of Wilsonville Road as well.
In addition, intermittent single-lane closures are needed prior to and throughout the project which is scheduled to be complete by Friday, August 26. Single-lane road closures are planned for non-peak travel times to minimize potential congestion.
Throughout the repair project the City encourages travelers who would normally use this section of Wilsonville Road to instead take alternate routes, such as Barber Street or Boeckman Road, to avoid unnecessary delays and congestion.
On July 7, 2016, the Wilsonville City Council approved two resolutions related to funding and operating a proposed recreation and aquatic center in Wilsonville. The first resolution approved by City Council places a ballot measure on the November ballot asking Wilsonville voters to consider issuing General Obligation Bonds in the amount not to exceed $35 million to finance the design and construction of a recreation and aquatic center. If approved the approximately 80,000 square-foot facility would include community event space, aquatic, athletic, fitness and recreational facilities. A “yes” vote approves the capital bond measure to fund the facility and a “no” vote rejects the bond measure. For more information about the proposed center visit www.WilsonvilleParksandRec.com.
The City of Wilsonville has hired Jordan Vance to serve as Economic Development Manager responsible for overseeing the City's economic-development activities, including business outreach, retention/expansion and recruitment. In this position Vance is also responsible for initiatives and partnerships that enhance local and regional economic-development relationships and position Wilsonville as a location of choice for quality, sustainable business investment.
City Manager Bryan Cosgrove states, “We are excited to have Jordan join our staff to lead the City’s economic development and urban renewal programs. Jordan brings a wealth of private-sector and nonprofit professional experience working for a wide variety of small, medium and large businesses across many different sectors.”
The City of Wilsonville invites residents to participate in the 2016 Wilsonville Community Survey that is designed to provide a baseline of how City government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of Wilsonville, and to make comparisons with peer cities.
All residents of Wilsonville are eligible to participate through July 5 online at www.n-r-c.com/survey/wilsonvillesurvey.htm.
Mayor Tim Knapp said, “Wilsonville is a great community, and the survey results help local leaders create a better city responsive to residents’ needs. I encourage everyone living in Wilsonville to take the survey and help us chart our community’s future.”
City Council Adopts Annual Budget, Approves 10-Acre Annexation and Rezoning, Renews Social Services Annual Grant and Endorses Community Enhancement Projects
On June 20, 2016, the Wilsonville City Council held public hearings and adopted four resolutions pertaining to the City’s annual budgets. The first resolution authorizes a supplemental budget adjustment to “close-out” the current 2015-16 fiscal year that ends June 30. This budget adjustment accounts for various project and program funds that may be over the original budget approved in June 2015 based on timing of expenditures and revenues, and included refinancing bonded debt at lower rates , inter-fund transfers, project-scope modification and other factors.
On June 6, the City Council held public hearings and approved on first reading an annexation, a Comprehensive Plan amendment and a Zone Map amendment for a 10.2 acre site on SW Garden Acres Road that is adjacent to and north of Republic Services’ campus located at 10295 SW Ridder Road in Wilsonville. The parcel is to be the future site of Republic Services’ proposed SORT Bio-Energy Facility that is designed to collect and convert commercial food waste into electricity and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The approval advances the City’s waste-hauling and disposal provider’s plans to expand their campus located in northwest Wilsonville. The Council action changed the zoning of the parcel from Washington County Future Development-20 (FD20) to a Planned Development Industrial-Regionally Significant Industrial Area (PDI-RSIA) Zone and changed the Comprehensive Plan designation from Washington County Future Development-20 (FD-20) to the Industrial designation.