Estacada EDC discusses natural gas extension, broadband, wastewater and possible TIF area as urban renewal nears sunset
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Summary
Commissioners discussed infrastructure priorities for the strategic plan, including a possible engineering study to extend natural gas, broadband and wastewater upgrades, and explored using a tax-increment financing (TIF) district as urban renewal approaches its sunset date.
The Estacada Economic Development Commission on Wednesday placed infrastructure — notably a potential natural gas extension, broadband, wastewater improvements and a possible tax-increment financing (TIF) area — onto its strategic-plan agenda as the city’s current urban renewal approaches sunset.
City staff said Northwest Natural has indicated that engineering work is needed to assess the feasibility and cost of extending gas service; staff estimated preliminary engineering costs in the discussion on the order of $100,000 to $200,000. Commissioners agreed infrastructure analysis belongs in the five-year economic plan, but several urged caution about proceeding before understanding state-level policy and incentives.
Why it matters: Infrastructure capacity and the financing tools used to pay for development — including urban renewal/TIF — will shape what businesses can locate or expand in Estacada and how the city captures economic benefits from growth in adjacent communities.
Natural gas and energy policy
John, the city staff facilitator, said Northwest Natural would need design and engineering work to evaluate bringing high‑pressure pipeline and service into the area. Commissioner Brooke Wheeler advised caution, noting that state policy is exerting pressure on utilities and that changes at the state level could make natural gas less attractive or more costly for businesses. Commissioner Cindy Moore said she would research any relevant state legislation and that conflicts or incentives should be assessed before committing to multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar engineering work.
Broadband, water and wastewater
Commissioners and applicants noted existing broadband capacity (applicant David Cross referenced local gigabit service from Reliance Connects) and discussed wastewater treatment as a continuing area of city infrastructure work. Staff said the wastewater treatment plant is an active project and that water/power/broadband and gas should be treated as primary infrastructure items in the strategic plan.
Tax-increment financing and urban renewal
Staff raised the sunset of the current urban-renewal district and suggested the commission study creation of a new urban‑renewal/TIF area, possibly around the mill site and the corridor leading into downtown, to capture growth and fund targeted projects. Commissioners requested an educational briefing on urban renewal mechanics — benefits, costs and revenue impacts — before recommending a district.
Next steps and caveats
Commissioners asked staff to solicit a proposal from Northwest Natural for engineering design and to investigate state policy risks that might affect long‑term gas use. Staff also committed to include infrastructure and a possible TIF study in the draft strategic plan and to present more detailed cost estimates and policy analysis at a future meeting.
Ending
The commission agreed to include infrastructure research in its workplan for the strategic plan and to seek more detailed proposals and policy guidance before recommending major expenditures or new financing districts.
