Ord 2283 - Urban Renewal Agency
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2295
ORDINANCE NO. 2283
AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT BLIGHTED AREAS EXIST WITHIN THE
CITY OF WOODBURN, RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL
AGENCY TO FUNCTION IN THE CITY OF WOODBURN AND PROVIDING FOR
THE EXERCISE OF THE AGENCY'S POWERS BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODBURN.
WHEREAS, there exists within the City of Woodburn, Oregon, blighted areas as defined
in ORS 457.010; and
WHEREAS, such blighted areas impair economic values and ad valorem tax revenues;
and
WHEREAS, there is a need for an urban renewal agency to function in the City; and
WHEREAS, ORS 457.035 authorizes the creation of a public body corporate and politic
to be known as the "Urban Renewal Agency" of the City; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF WOODBURN ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Based upon the findings marked Exhibit "A," attached hereto and
incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein, the City Council of the City of W oodbum,
Oregon, hereinafter referred to as City of Woodburn, hereby finds and declares that blighted
areas, as defined in ORS 457.010, exist within the City of Woodburn.
Section 2. The City Council declares and recognizes that there is a need for an Urban
Renewal Agency to function within the City of Woodburn.
Section 3. The City Council further declares, pursuant to ORS 457.045(3), that all of the
rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities granted to and vested in an Urban Renewal
Agency by the laws of the State of Oregon shall be exercised by and vested in the Mayor and
City Council of the City of Woodburn, provided, however, that any act of the governing body
acting as the Urban Renewal Agency shall be, and shall be considered, the act of the Urban
Renewal Agency only and not of the City Council.
Section 4. The corporate name of the agency provided by this Ordinance shall be, and
said agency shall be known as "The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Woodburn."
Section 5. The term of office of each member of the Urban Renewal Agency shall be
concurrent with the terms of the Mayor and City Council.
Page I - COUNCIL BILL NO. 2295
ORDINANCE NO. 2283
Approved as to fOrm:7J. ~ ~
N. Robert Shields, City Attorney
Approved:
?--IZ- 2001
Date
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Submitted to the Mayor
March 12, 2001
March 13, 2001
Passed by the Council
Approved by the Mayor
March 13, 2001
Filed in the Office of the Recorder
March 13. 2001
ATTEST:
Mary Te ant, City Recorder
City of Woodburn, Oregon
Page 2 - COUNCIL BILL NO. 2295
ORDINANCE NO. 2283
EXHIBIT IJ
Page --L of I..f
EXHIBIT A.
FINDINGS RELATED TO THE EXISTENCE OF BLIGHTED AREAS
IN THE CITY OF WOODBURN
The consulting firm of Spencer and Kupper prepared an urban renewal feasibility study in
September 2000. This study, and a study by City staff dated October 2,2000 evaluated blighting
conditions in a preliminary study area. The City's urban renewal planning committee revised the
preliminary study area boundaries as shown on the map appended hereto as Attachment 1, and
City staff revised its study to evaluate blighted conditions within the revised study area. The
conclusions of the consultant's feasibility study and the October staff report, as revised March
2001, are as follows:
A. Depreciated values and reduced utilization of the area: The total assessed valuation of
land (exclusive of Right-of-way) within the proposed renewal area boundary is estimated
at approximately $24,000,000 for the 1999-2000 tax year. That represents an assessed
valuation of only about $109,100 per acre, an extraordinarily low figure for an urban
area. The value per acre reflects a high incidence of vacant and underutilized land within
the area. The study area includes large tracts of vacant, underdeveloped land along
Highway 99E, and in the area Southeast of the Woodburn interchange ofl-5. The low
value per acre also reflects a significant number of vacant, or poorly maintained
properties within the downtown area, and along Young Street. These conditions point to
an unproductive condition of potentially useful land, and a reduction in proper utilization
of the area. These under-productive areas also result in added costs to the taxpayers for
the creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere. The presence of these
underutilized areas meets the ORS definition of blight.
B. Inadequate streets, rights-of-way, and utilities: The City of Woodburn Public Works
Department surveyed the proposed project area for deficiencies in curbs, sidewalks,
streets, water, sewer, and other infrastructure elements. The results of the survey are
contained in a report dated October 2, 2000, as amended in March 2001. Numerous
deficiencies in curbs, sidewalks, streets, handicapped access, storm sewer connections,
and storm water drainage were discovered. As summary listing of the deficiencies is
appended hereto as Attachment 2. The full report and photographs are available for
review at the City of Woodburn offices.
C. Obsolete and deteriorated buildings: A windshield survey of buildings in the project
area was conducted in September 2000. The purpose of the survey was to identify
properties which appeared to be in need of major maintenance or rehabilitation. These
properties would meet the definition of obsolete or deteriorated buildings. There are
numerous buildings within the downtown commercial area that exhibit signs of poor or
deferred exterior maintenance, and would benefit from rehabilitation assistance. In
addition, many properties within the downtown area have been re-modeled over time,
with major modifications and additions to facades, window openings, and canopies. The
quality and appearance of the modifications is mixed, at best. The result gives downtown
Woodburn the appearance of an obsolete and declining commercial area. The survey also
EXHIBIT II
Page.2- of 4
Exhibit 1 to Ordinance Establishing an Urban Renewal Agency
Page 2.
showed several residential structures along Young Street to be in need of major repairs
and rehabilitation. It is not possible to tell from an exterior survey the possible extent of
rehabilitation needed on these properties, or whether rehabilitation is economically
feasible. Photographic documentation of examples of the described building conditions
is contained in a report on area conditions prepared by the Woodburn Public Works
Department on October 2, 2000 and revised in March 2001. The full report and
photographs are available for review at the City of Woodburn offices.
Findings: Based on preliminary evaluation of the conditions found within the preliminary urban
renewal area boundary, the proposed renewal area qualifies as a "blighted area" within the
definition found in ORS 457.
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ATTACHMENT 2
Executive Summary
Urban Renewal District Infrastructure Report
EXHlBI1,_ 4
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Previous Actions
A draft report was submitted by Public Works to the City Administrator on October 2, 2000. The
report suggested potential projects that should be undertaken if an Urban Renewal District were
formed in Woodburn. The report indicated, in outline form, categories that included underground
utiUties, roadway repair, Curb and Sidewalk replacement, Signage, Street Furniture, Bikeways,
and landscaping, among others. The report focused on improvements within public rights-of-
way, and documented, with photographs, the blighted conditions in the downtown area and
nearby parts of the district. (The definition of blight in ORS 457.010 includes conditions, which
are detrimental to the safety of the community.) Buildings with broken windows, some boarded
up, are evident, as are shattered sidewalks. Loose roof drains; deteriorated awnings and
parapets can also be seen.
The October report considered an area for a proposed district that would include the downtown,
Young Street, Highway 99E (from the south City Limits to Highway 211), and Hayes Street
(west to a parcel adjoining 1-5). Total area of the district, within City Limits, was 239 acres.
Projects in the district will include those which are visible at the surface, like sidewalks and
curbs. (These directly address the blight.) Other projects improve the function of utility systems
that serve the predominately older areas of the city. The full report is available for review in the
office of the City Administrator
Amend~nts to the ReDOrt
A public forum was held in February 2001. Comments by attendees indicated the public's
concern about the safety of Highway 214, particularly for school-age children attempting to
cross the roadway. At the February 28 meeting of the Urban Renewal Planning Committee, the
issues of safety on Highway 214 were addressed. The Committee agreed that Highway 214 be
added to the district, and that Hayes Street be removed. The district boundaries currently
receiving consideration (indicated "Option 2" on the map) include Highway 214, between
Evergreen and Front Streets. The limits of North Front Street have also been extended to
include the intersection with Highway 214, where safety and capacity-related improvements are
needed. Thus, the deficiencies in Highway 214, affecting motorists and pedestrians, may be
subject to projects undertaken with Urban Renewal funds. Improved access to the downtown
area derived from these activities will also provide benefit to the city, because the major
transportation problems facing the community can be addressed in this fashion.
March 9, 2001