County Considers Amendment To Roads End Urban Renewal Plan

Lincoln County commissioners will consider a proposed amendment to Lincoln City’s Roads End and Villages at Cascade Head urban renewal plan at their Nov. 25 meeting, after hearing a presentation on the proposal’s boundaries, financing and planned road connection.

The amendment would add land for a future connection between the Villages at Cascade Head and Roads End, extending toward Highway 101. Alison Robertson - Economic Development and Urban Renewal Director for the City of Lincoln City said the route could provide another way in and out of the area, support future development and improve access during emergencies. The proposal also includes parcels that could support future road access near school district property.

The city would remove about 59 acres of undeveloped, city-owned land from the urban renewal area. Consultant Elaine Howard said the land is considered less in need of urban renewal assistance and could potentially be developed without it. The boundary changes are intended to keep the area within the state’s 25% limit on the share of a city that can be included in urban renewal.

The amendment would not increase the plan’s $87.1 million maximum indebtedness. However, updated projections extend the estimated timeframe for impacts to taxing districts by three years, reflecting slower-than-expected development.

The proposal also revises how the city calculates voluntary revenue sharing with other taxing districts, aligning the process with the method used for mandatory revenue sharing. Howard said the change would make the annual calculation easier for the city to administer.

Because some of the affected properties are outside Lincoln City limits,

Lincoln County’s approval is required. Robertson reported that the city’s Planning Commission voted that the amendment conforms with the comprehensive plan. Lincoln City’s City Council is scheduled to consider the amendment at a Dec. 14 hearing.

The county commissioners did not vote on the amendment at the meeting. Commissioners will be returning this item for further decision at their November 25th Board meeting.