Stephanie Case

The Economic Opportunities Analysis for the City of Boardman, Oregon, provides a 20-year forecast for employment growth and land needs to support a broader strategic planning initiative. Key objectives include expanding service opportunities, ensuring housing options, fostering sustainable growth, and leveraging natural resources. The analysis identifies data center development as the primary growth industry, projecting a need for 750 gross acres of employment land, with 625 acres allocated for hyperscale data centers. The report concludes with a deficit of suitable large-lot industrial sites, which impedes future data center and other industrial expansion, highlighting the necessity for land supply adjustments and proactive infrastructure planning.

The meeting commenced with the flag salute and roll call, noting the late arrival of one commissioner and the official arrival of another later. The commission welcomed two new planning commissioners, Commissioner Stensland and Commissioner Taylor, following the non-reappointment of two former members. Officer elections were conducted, resulting in the continuation of the current Chair and the re-election of the current Vice Chair. The minutes from the December 18th meeting were approved. During public hearings, an amendment request (RBW25-000057) was withdrawn by the applicant. A continued public hearing (LD25-00005) concerning Unity Partners LLC was postponed until the February 19th, 2026 meeting due to staff workload, while no testimony was taken. The commission then held a public hearing regarding the adoption of the Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) update for the comprehensive plan's Goal 9 (Economics). Staff presented the purpose and components of the EOA, which analyzes economic objectives, industry trends, and job growth translation into land needs, comparing this to current employment land inventory. The criteria for adoption were discussed, focusing on consistency with statewide planning goals and the comprehensive plan, noting that specific public facility adequacy checks for the EOA apply when specific land use changes occur. The consultants who produced the EOA were introduced to present the findings.

The meeting agenda included a call to order, roll call, and approval of the previous Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from January 15, 2026. Public hearings were scheduled for a request to subdivide three existing tax lots into five separate lots (DIV26-000001). A continued public hearing (LND25-000005) regarding updating Chapter 2.1 of the Boardman Development Code (BDC) to incorporate provisions of the Housing Model Code was noted as withdrawn. Discussion items included an update from the Planning Official regarding strategic planning projects such as the Transportation System Plan (TSP), Parks Master Plan (PMP), and Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA), as well as updates on the Boardman Development Code (BDC), Housing Capacity Analysis (HCA), and Main Street Interchange Area Management Plan Refinement (MS IAMP). The session concluded with an invitation for public comment and commission comments.

The meeting involved updates and discussions on several key housing initiatives. The initial update addressed the real estate development master planning process, noting an overlap with ongoing work by Cascadia Policy Group on development code updates and the Housing Capacity Analysis (formerly housing needs analysis). These findings are expected to streamline the master plan work by avoiding duplication. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Moderate Income Revolving Loan Fund (MIRLF) program, with an update provided on the procedural requirements, including the need for city ordinances and master agreements with Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Changes allowing direct city loans to developers instead of grants were noted. The committee discussed exploring centralized administration for the MIRLF program. Finally, an introduction was conducted for guests Jerick Murray (Anom Housing) and Stephen Brooks (Community Innovation Partners), who are engaged in bringing housing technologies and funding programs to the committee, specifically regarding the MIRLF pilot implementation in Boardman.

The meeting primarily focused on a discussion and demonstration of the Urban Form Partnership platform, a product designed to digitize access to zoning codes and streamline permit applications. The platform was presented as a high-impact, rapidly implementable solution, referencing a successful partnership with Yamhill County where all 11 jurisdictions' zoning codes were digitized. The committee members expressed interest in adopting this tool for Boardman, discussing its utility for developers and planning departments in quickly ascertaining parcel information, density, and allowable uses. There was also a discussion regarding the proposed funding source for the tool, with one member suggesting using planning/building funds rather than the dedicated housing development fund. Additionally, a discussion ensued about potentially expanding the platform's scope to include building codes in addition to zoning codes. The participants agreed to form a smaller subgroup, including external stakeholders like Kang of Urban Form and the building official, to discuss implementation details, required resources, and next steps.