City Council and Astoria Development Commission Meetings Regarding Heritage Square
The following City Council and Development Commission meetings took place regarding Heritage Square redevelopment. Click on the links to open the agenda memo which includes links to all of the documents provided in the packets.
October 4, 2021, Development Commission
Discussion on Heritage Square Redevelopment to Include Workforce Housing
Minutes
Video
As a part of the Council goal-setting session earlier this year, the Council set a goal which stated:
Support efforts to increase the housing supply using the County Housing Study as a guide. The City will focus on workforce and affordable housing overall and will specifically pursue a public-private partnership for the redevelopment of Heritage Square to include workforce housing.
Over the past few months, the Astoria Development Commission engaged the services of John Southgate who has extensive professional experience in urban renewal, planning, redevelopment, and public-private partnerships. Mr. Southgate has been conducting due diligence and has prepared the attached memorandum regarding the possibility of a public-private partnership for workforce housing at Heritage Square. Heritage Square is located within the Astor East Urban Renewal District. Also attached are materials prepared by Rosemary Johnson and Brett Estes providing a comprehensive history of the Heritage Square site redevelopment discussions.
October 8, 2021, City Council
Consideration to Initiate Development Code and Comprehensive Plan Amendments Related to Heritage Square Development
Minutes
Video
At the October 4, 2021, Astoria Development Commission meeting, staff and consultant John Southgate discussed the implementation of the City Council goal dealing with a public-private partnership to develop workforce housing at Heritage Square. The discussion was at an Astoria Development Commission meeting in that the site is within the Astor-East Urban Renewal District and there is the possibility of public participation from that entity. During the meeting, Mr. Southgate outlined needed amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan to develop on the site. Additionally, he noted possible other Development Code amendments which could be needed or beneficial to the project. A copy of John Southgate's memorandum is attached here. Comprehensive Plan and Development Code items recommended to be amended are included in that document. It is recommended that the City Council direct the Astoria Planning Commission and staff to initiate Comprehensive Plan and Development Code amendments to facilitate the development of workforce housing at Heritage Square.
November 1, 2021, ADC
Consideration to Issue Request for Expressions of Interest for Redevelopment of Heritage Square
Minutes
Video
As a part of the Council goal-setting session earlier this year, the Council set a goal which stated: Support efforts to increase the housing supply using the County Housing Study as a guide. The City will focus on workforce and affordable housing overall and will specifically pursue a public-private partnership for the redevelopment of Heritage Square to include workforce housing. Over the past few months, the Astoria Development Commission engaged the services of John Southgate who has extensive professional experience in urban renewal, planning, redevelopment, and public-private partnerships. Mr. Southgate has been conducting due diligence and prepared the attached memorandum dated October 4, 2021, regarding the possibility of a public-private partnership for workforce housing at Heritage Square. This memorandum was discussed at the October 4th Astoria Development Commission meeting. Heritage Square is located in the Astor-East Urban Renewal District.
At the October 4th meeting, the Commission directed staff to prepare a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for redevelopment of Heritage Square for workforce housing. A draft RFEI is attached. Also attached is an additional memorandum from consultant John Southgate dated November 1, 2021, which outlines the RFEI document. As noted, it captures the direction provided by the Development Commission at the prior meeting. Please note that staff would like to discuss a concept called a Vertical Housing Development Zone. More information on this is included in the November 1, 2021 memorandum.
The draft RFEI is being brought to the Development Commission for review and, if in agreement, direction for staff to issue the document. It should be noted that there is some final information that would be added to the document subsequently to Commission issuance. Mr. Southgate will be participating in the meeting and will be prepared to discuss in more detail.
A motion to issue an RFEI for Heritage Square Project was unanimously passed by the Mayor and Council.
November 2021
Heritage Square RFEI Issued
January 18, 2022, Development Commission
Consideration and discussion of Heritage Square Workforce Housing Request for Expressions of Interest - Review Committee Comments
Minutes
Video
In late 2021, the Development Commission discussed and subsequently issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) to develop workforce housing on the City of Astoria-owned Heritage Square property. The RFEI was issued with a deadline to submit of December 20, 2021. Two responses were received with teams led by Related Northwest and Edlen & Company. Mayor Jones appointed a committee to review the submittals. Individuals appointed are Walt Postlewait, Jessamyn West, Monica Steele, David Reid, Meg Leatherman, and Brett Estes. The committee met and developed a review document which is transmitted to the Development Commission for consideration. That document is attached. Additionally, the RFEI submittals from Edlen & Company and Related Northwest are attached. It is recommended that the Development Commission review and discuss the document compiled by consultant John Southgate which conveys the review comments from the committee.
February 07, 2022, City Council
Discussion and Consideration of Heritage Square Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (to be Continued at Feb 22, 2022, CC Meeting for Vote)
Minutes (available soon)
Video
In late 2021, the Astoria Development Commission discussed and subsequently issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) to develop workforce housing on the City of Astoria-owned Heritage Square property. The RFEI was issued with a deadline to submit of December 20, 2021. Two responses were received with teams led by Related Northwest and Edlen & Company. Mayor Jones appointed a committee to review the submittals. Individuals appointed are Walt Postlewait, Jessamyn West, Monica Steele, David Reid, Meg Leatherman and Brett Estes. The committee met and developed a review document which was transmitted to the Astoria Development Commission for consideration at their January 18, 2022 meeting. At that meeting the Commission voted to recommend that the Astoria City Council approve an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with Edlen & Company. It should be noted that the Astoria Development Commission and Astoria City Council are one in the same but represent two separate governmental entities. The Astoria Development Commission oversees urban renewal activities. The Astoria City Council is the entity who would be able to approve an ENA at Heritage Square in that the City owns that property. It is recommended that the Council review and discuss the materials as well as draft ENA and take public comment on the issue.
February 22, 2022, City Council
Consideration of Heritage Square Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
Heritage Square Clarifications
Minutes (available soon)
Video
In late 2021, the Astoria Development Commission discussed and subsequently issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) to develop workforce housing on the City of Astoria-owned Heritage Square property. The RFEI was issued with a deadline to submit of December 20, 2021. Two responses were received with teams led by Related Northwest and Edlen & Company. Mayor Jones appointed a committee to review the submittals. Individuals appointed are Walt Postlewait, Jessamyn West, Monica Steele, David Reid, Meg Leatherman and Brett Estes.
The committee met and developed a review document which was transmitted to the Astoria Development Commission for consideration at their January 18, 2022 meeting. At that meeting the Commission voted to recommend that the Astoria City Council approve an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with Edlen & Company. It should be noted that members of Astoria Development Commission and Astoria City Council are one in the same but represent two
separate governmental entities. The Astoria Development Commission oversees urban renewal activities. The Astoria City Council is the entity who would be able to approve an ENA at Heritage Square in that the City owns that property.
Attached in this packet are memoranda from consultant John Southgate which provides further information and overview on this matter. One memo was provided for the February 7 City Council meeting with a follow-up for the February 21st meeting. Also included is a draft ENA with Edlen & Company. Mayor Jones had asked that no vote be taken at the February 7th meeting and that the item be continued to the February 22nd meeting. Written comments received for the ENA and associated Comprehensive Plan and Development Code amendments will be accepted until noon on February 22nd. Testimony received in advance of the posting of the packet on Friday will be included. Testimony subsequently received in advance of the noon February 22 deadline will be transmitted to the Council the day of the meeting. The draft exclusive negotiating agreement with Edlen and Company has been reviewed and approved as to form by City Attorney Henningsgaard. Staff are awaiting a final legal description from the title company and will need to be inserted before signature. It is recommended that the Council review and discuss the draft ENA along with associated comments, and take action on the matter.
