[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6176631,"mediaKeyId","5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c","parentId",5345561,"title","Commission discusses parking plan and transportation systems plan grant; staff say work is underway","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",4309000,"endMs",4485000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c&start=4309&end=4485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c/thumbnail_4309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176631/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-discusses-parking-plan-and-transportation-systems-plan-grant-staff-say-work-is-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176631-2d57a41bba36ace0b69e0a47212a0f59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012274&Signature=YIhezx5JOR-0eUDk~rSRoJ4WVuvk0AB6CXSwiTg7d~yPkD5NHydAxxb2r7q1yYWBORRxgFTXnjoVk3G9yjG-F2AT08ntbzAlszzT5BkE9B-MXcNbgUy-lSNJ-4nXeuyFxTT9MZHvDKcfg~b7H6JydETYzj8fMZvCbtrPZXgmctU30o5O1UZUkMlSmFg5JqAJqeJ4YH3GMRf0BAe-YtsnzWWJXBDJmrbBSceIVLU3zcQLcQZ3DBM0U1f1ayAAj~po9ni6rWbJSHM-YIlvqPW3gFKrpyk-8Jrt8Rau2xvzqlPHy9J33M-s-aw2uRI-eYZcMII~AuKOKuVyqwgd3mTVqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-07-09T14:59:38Z","article","Commissioners discussed developing a parking plan to support downtown vibrancy and reduce barriers to tenanting storefronts, and staff said a citywide transportation systems plan — supported by a proposed grant — already lists parking management as a project.

Several commissioners said parking availability and configuration affect downtown foot traffic and property reuse. One commissioner suggested reframing the work as a “legibility” plan that considers both parking and pedestrian access; others highlighted that too‑much free parking at the curb can reduce downtown walking and vibrancy.

Staff reported that a transportation systems plan grant (discussed at the meeting as approximately $300,000 for a citywide plan) is in process and that parking management studies are eligible under related grant programs. A commissioner noted that parking management or a study funded through the grant would follow the grant cycle and competitive process.

Why it matters: Parking management choices influence downtown economic outcomes, project feasibility and design decisions. A funded transportation systems plan could include a parking management study and produce implementable recommendations for City Council consideration.

Planning commissioners asked whether the commission should list a parking plan as a proactive item. Staff said the transportation systems plan currently includes parking projects and that timing depends on grant cycles and staff capacity. The commission suggested follow‑up to refine scope and, if appropriate, recommend further advancement to City Council or apply for the relevant grant cycles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a parking plan as part of a larger transportation systems plan; staff said a citywide transportation systems plan is proposed with a grant and that a parking management study could be pursued through that process or through grant cycles.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176636,"Main Street Alliance offers data tools and partnership to address vacant and underutilized storefronts in St. Helens",530,1720000,2250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c&start=1720&end=2250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6176636/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Main-Street-Alliance-offers-data-tools-and-partnership-to-address-vacant-and-underutilized-storefronts-in-St-Helens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176636-4cbd38111ac9f95b1a15bb3f0350a98f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012274&Signature=MUaXK214rMT~A1oQR6g~pyy1n6aX-zSRfLZkPkeyDSymcoSiHzFhUn1Nx~7MpisaU-HMWGy94SKtZZ~TbYU63PQoFGBA7Kw4d7lklrjdvgSdb3rCJKjdBNyaqECfgJ4a2MFf~QtLr3MiJly1EKm4i0Z3fumKRx8Csq-KwbchNnoMbvZQtJcBnAah7ALOKmrN3hrN8hoVBC71QwR2wAFVabhjZQnat97rj-mlXPnZOial~GfwyACxqvveIiky7NUfGogUgdEwJSwpBxYeeRGLAzYoYu~T0D7mORwvuhXePRj9hUXNfB~mckVQegEf6R-BikScmE2LoY5MWg22BRTiog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the St. Helens Main Street Alliance told the Planning Commission the organization can help the city collect detailed, parcel‑level data and support targeted efforts to address vacant and underused storefronts in the downtown and riverfront districts.

Erin Salisbury, president of the St. Helens Main Street Alliance, and Marcy Sanders, who also spoke for the group, explained the Main Street approach and described a new Main Street America data tool that maps properties in the designated Main Street district and allows volunteers and staff to log building status, use type, owner contact information and other variables. Salisbury said the tool is “shareable” and the alliance can provide logins and help populate the inventory.

The Main Street representatives recommended a two‑pronged approach: incentives (for example, low‑interest loans as used in Astoria) paired with enforcement mechanisms or fees for prolonged vacancy. Commissioners and Main Street members discussed examples such as vacancy registration, graduated fees for prolonged vacancy, targeted small grants for façade and ADA improvements, and an inventory-based strategy to prioritize “low‑hanging fruit.”

Main Street representatives said the district is large and that the new tool will require volunteer time to populate and maintain; they offered to walk the district and collaborate with planning staff. They stressed that each property often has a unique story — owners, financing and code constraints differ — and that municipal action should combine data, outreach, incentives and, where necessary, enforcement.

Why it matters: A validated inventory and partnership could help the city prioritize public investment and code enforcement, match property owners with prospective tenants, and target grants or incentives to properties likely to yield visible downtown improvements.

Commissioners asked Main Street to share the tool and to coordinate on data collection. Planning staff said the city’s building official would follow up on code and health‑and‑safety matters and that a transportation/parking plan is already listed in the city’s proposed transportation systems plan grant work.","Representatives of the St. Helens Main Street Alliance presented a data tool and proposed a partnership with the Planning Commission to inventory vacant and underutilized storefronts, suggesting a mix of incentives (loans, matchmaking) and enforcement to revive downtown commercial activity.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176641,"Planning commissioners debate absenteeism rule; consider recommending ordinance to city council",953,47000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c&start=47&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6176641/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Planning-commissioners-debate-absenteeism-rule-consider-recommending-ordinance-to-city-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176641-134e08accf911e9fe3da847cd21d3ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012274&Signature=g668tJOi5tmq23nXYtIUpetckatXHHZg3EvtAHarVdanY4EQzQTFRkYv7ektX9A1Ija56eFydRNUO7WNO6OwnwbpBwNpgQUc8-094XzhZEZGm8zRgmfDaPJl0l5F8XZ8LeHLqPKdcUjjZVLbwckmE7UeXoru-mA5mp7ELE0uhE0FOzkv9XvmHZV9PFLpP2Zkm0Sg8AWbTx-Srsmjt8dodHTMwWSfJOzWmnbVoOkP7Xy1nHE4yf6wPkvqkhXxq9FbNdDnXCmzOz5pRaDzFg42bdjxDRL9xEuBAjTydj47VFLSwxxqD56sCoEMhJ7O77Nx2XPceuoQ~aRQJOmJ0SaeYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens Planning Commission discussed changing its attendance policy, with several commissioners saying three unexcused absences should trigger removal or review and that absences need not be consecutive.

Brady Preheim, a member of the public who addressed topics from the floor, said, “If you miss 3 meetings, you should be removed.” Commissioners debated whether an absence policy should require consecutive missed meetings and whether the commission needed an internal mechanism to remove a commissioner for misconduct or nonperformance.

Commissioners compared the city’s options with Portland’s approach and discussed establishing definitions for an “excused” absence (for example, requiring 48 hours’ notice when possible). They noted the commission lacks an internal removal mechanism and would need to ask the City Council to adopt an ordinance to create removal procedures or clearer rules.

The commission agreed it could draft an ordinance under the city’s municipal code chapters already in use (chapter 2 and chapter 17 were mentioned as the procedural route) and that one commissioner would produce a draft to circulate BCC (blind carbon copy) to avoid violating public meeting restrictions. Commissioners emphasized the need to balance volunteer members’ circumstances with ensuring quorum and consistent participation.

Why it matters: Clear attendance rules affect the commission’s ability to reach quorums and make decisions on time‑sensitive land‑use matters, including the waterfront project discussed at the meeting.

The commission directed a volunteer to draft proposed language for an ordinance recommending changes to the City Council; commissioners said they will refine wording at public meetings rather than by email discussion that could create a public‑meeting violation.","The St. Helens Planning Commission discussed tightening attendance rules for commissioners, considering a standard of three unexcused absences (nonconsecutive) and asking staff to draft wording for a proposed ordinance to send to city council.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176646,"Citizen says May 13 ‘remodel’ decision created safety risk and vows LUBA appeal; commission amends minutes",145,235000,380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c&start=235&end=380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345561-92c765f3ad2086319cde35b1e47a7b1c/thumbnail_235000.jpg","/articles/6176646/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Citizen-says-May-13-remodel-decision-created-safety-risk-and-vows-LUBA-appeal-commission-amends-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176646-65f71c269db4b7beeed6730fde1959ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012274&Signature=VJmufJgEGHYR1sc~GZutlxRNUAKfMadrvx4~0tru0XcV-s~UJLIafNlea-8rj-w81usryxFU2bAwVSLa5e9aP6~wCIJl47YTHIbOcq4~fJtNZ6rENzypfSZvehS6iG-G993d1No15j0NehGdrTYu~kFiQBIsxQfzQJrZMIFCt1N5qZ2XPzon3WNex8axqx3Nz-E7PtKkSs96mtfVr-swoJ5Il-fWuP~d~fHKtcf1tEHecXT8vu7Hb5JQ6G-u2u-aue-dPWIvHRLzk-uV7d8sJ0OwoSxUsSIXxhbYFwcWyAdqcF0cSDVCxJN4RWo9Wzuzte-kxuH59qCa-yCrZxWqHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A St. Helens resident told the Planning Commission that the body’s May 13 handling of a waterfront project treated the work incorrectly as a “remodel” and failed to record testimony that construction methods had created an immediate safety hazard.

Steven Toske, a citizen of St. Helens, told commissioners that contractor testimony before the commission had described construction methods that “could cause the immediate death and significant bodily injury of anyone on a construction site,” and that description was missing from the minutes of the May 13 hearing. “I’m going to be filing a LUBA complaint,” Toske said at the meeting.

The concern centers on whether the work met the development code’s definition of a remodel. Toske told the commission the project did not meet remodel criteria such as remaining within the same footprint and other code requirements, and he argued that the commission’s actions lacked the public procedure required for a variance or a different approval path. He said he had not received a notice of decision and asked the commission to ensure the record reflected the safety testimony and the legal procedure for the project.

The commission debated amendments to the draft minutes of May 13 to capture additional testimony. A motion to amend the minutes (moved and seconded at the meeting) passed on voice vote; the minutes will be revised to include additional testimony about the hearing. Commissioners also discussed whether the record incorrectly suggested the commission had delegated authority to a staff member to decide how to proceed; speakers asked that any minutes not indicate that the commission had devolved its authority.

Why it matters: A LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals) filing would be a formal appeal of a land‑use decision and could halt or alter the project timetable while the appeal is resolved. Accurate minutes and a clear notice of decision set the timeline for appeals and preserve parties’ legal rights.

The transcript shows the commission agreed to amend the minutes to reflect additional testimony. The complainant urged a clearer record and a notice of decision so that legal deadlines and appeal windows are clear.

Meeting participants reiterated that the planning commission must follow the development code’s definitions for a remodel and follow required notice procedures when a decision triggers appeal rights. The commission did not take further formal action on the underlying waterfront project during the discussion recorded at this meeting.

The meeting record shows the resident’s expressed intent to file an appeal and the commission’s vote to amend the minutes to add the missing testimony.","A St. Helens resident told the Planning Commission the May 13 decision treating a waterfront project as a remodel ignored testimony that construction methods created an immediate safety hazard and said he will file a LUBA appeal; the commission voted to amend the minutes to add clarifying testimony.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission discusses parking plan and transportation systems plan grant; staff say work is underway

Main Street Alliance offers data tools and partnership to address vacant and underutilized storefronts in St. Helens

Planning commissioners debate absenteeism rule; consider recommending ordinance to city council

Citizen says May 13 ‘remodel’ decision created safety risk and vows LUBA appeal; commission amends minutes