Keri Newman

This Urban Design Plan for 'The Heights' neighborhood provides a long-term vision for improving streets and intersections. It focuses on creating safer and more comfortable streets for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and local commerce visitors. Key elements include sidewalk improvements, protected bike lanes, traffic calming measures, intersection enhancements (such as converting 13th Street to two-way traffic), and new public gathering spaces that reflect the neighborhood's identity. The plan's objectives are to foster safe and comfortable streets, strengthen local identity, promote livable communities, encourage economic development, reduce traffic speed, and improve intersections, ultimately creating a safer, more dynamic, and connected community.

The Heights Streetscape Plan outlines a long-term vision for improving streets and intersections within The Heights, aiming to create safer and more comfortable environments for people walking, biking, driving, and accessing local businesses. The plan focuses on four core community goals: ensuring safe and comfortable streets, calming traffic and improving intersections, promoting a livable community and economy, and strengthening local identity. Key elements include sidewalk improvements, protected bike facilities, traffic calming, intersection upgrades, including the conversion of 13th Street to two-way traffic, and the creation of new public gathering spaces. An implementation strategy details phased projects to guide future investment towards a safer, more vibrant, and connected Heights community.

This Accelerated Mobility Playbook (AMP) provides the City of Hood River with an accelerated roadmap to enhance its mobility network. The plan aims to complete 10 Safe Routes to School projects by 2029, making it safer and easier for students to walk and bike. It is structured around four key strategies: establishing a shared goal, aligning partners, rapidly building the network, and effectively resourcing partners. The playbook emphasizes improving implementation methods, fostering strong community partnerships, and garnering public support for changes to the city's streets to increase transportation choices and overall livability.

The City Council considered an amendment to the Hood River Municipal Code regarding System Development Charge (SDC) exemptions. The amendment clarifies that affordable housing projects, whether funded by state, private, or federal sources, are eligible for SDC exemptions. This includes housing with rental rates or purchase prices affordable for people earning no more than 120% of the area median income level. The council aimed to remove the restriction limiting SDC exemptions to federally funded low-income housing projects.

The report discusses the financial activities and position of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Hood River. Key highlights include property taxes earned, debt associated with the new Westside Urban Renewal District, and the Waterfront District's pledge to repay debt for the DEQ Storm Pipe Relocation Project. The Columbia Cascade Plan no longer collects tax increment, while the Waterfront Plan focuses on stormwater line replacement. The Heights District is working on securing a jurisdictional transfer for the Heights Streetscape Plan, and the new Westside District will begin operation.