Planning commission recommends rezoning Estacada Community Center to downtown to clear path for small businesses

The Estacada Planning Commission on Nov. 20 recommended that the city rezone the Estacada Community Center property from R-1 (single-family residential) to downtown to allow commercial uses on the site.

Alan, planning staff, told the commission the change follows a 2023 business-license application for a small computer repair shop that revealed the community center parcel was an R-1 outlier where commercial uses require conditional-use approval. He said city records showed no conditional-use permit on the property even though commercial and civic activities have operated there for decades. "Staff recommendation is to approve the zone change, and there are no recommended conditions of approval," Alan said during the staff presentation.

The rezoning would amend both the comprehensive plan map and the zoning map for a single city-owned parcel located just southwest of City Hall between the river and the highway. Staff said city water, sewer and storm services already serve the site.

The proposal was framed by staff as consistent with statewide planning Goal 9 (economic development) and with provisions of Estacada's comprehensive plan, including chapter 7 (economic development) and the downtown goal to mix office, service, retail and compatible residential uses. Alan also cited transportation-related findings, saying the city engineer found the change would not have a significant effect on the surrounding transportation system and that it meets the transportation planning rule and the Oregon Highway Plan; staff referenced Estacada municipal code provisions including chapter 16.74 on concurrency.

No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the zone change. After brief commissioner discussion, a motion to approve the zone change as proposed by staff passed; the commission announced the motion passed "3–0." Commissioners present for the meeting identified themselves at roll call as Commissioner Sager, Commissioner Stahl, Chair Wheeler and Commissioner Perkins; three regular commissioners were absent.

This action by the planning commission is a recommendation; the finalized map amendment and any ordinance change will be considered by the City Council in a later hearing.

Planning staff noted the council authorized the city to initiate the zone change process in September 2023 and waived the applicant fee so the city could pursue the rezone without forcing the community center representatives to submit the application.

The commission did not attach conditions to the recommendation. The rezoning and staff report identify the change as a map amendment meant to align zoning with long-standing property uses and to facilitate permitting for small, local businesses.

The council is the decision-making body for zone changes; the commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action.