Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hermiston council reviews 2025 priorities including growth boundary, housing and aquatic center study
Summary
City staff updated council on progress toward 2024–25 goals: examining urban growth boundary expansion, seeking market-rate and senior housing, completing a transportation system plan, pursuing implementation funding for Safe Streets, and advancing a feasibility study and public outreach for an aquatic/ wellness center.
Hermiston — City Manager Kevin Smith briefed the Hermiston City Council on progress toward the city’s stated goals for 2024–25 and the planned work for 2025, covering land supply, housing, transportation and public facilities.
Why it matters: These goals guide staff priorities and capital planning for infrastructure, land use and partnerships that can affect housing availability, public safety and long-range economic development.
Key updates delivered to council
- Urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion: Staff said the city adopted an economic needs analysis in 2024 and is actively evaluating areas for additional commercial and industrial land as part of the 2040 vision plan work.
- Workforce training and retail recruitment: The city is pursuing partnerships with Blue Mountain Community College and Retail Strategies to attract workforce programs and potential retailers; staff noted national retailers may consider Hermiston but said such recruitment can take considerable time.
- Transportation and Safe Streets: A consultant was selected to complete a transportation system plan with state grant funding. The Safe Streets for All comprehensive safety action plan was adopted late in 2024; staff are exploring federal funding for implementation.
- Housing and development: Staff reported outreach to multifamily developers and interest from at least one prospective developer; last year Hermiston issued about 87 permits (roughly 70 detached single-family units, handful of manufactured homes and several duplex units). Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are being permitted at about five per year.
- Aquatic/Wellness center feasibility: A task force with representatives from the school district, hospital, West End communities and other partners has met twice; staff extended the task force timeline by about a month and plan public outreach in spring, with council discussion of recommendations to follow.
- Police staffing and red-light enforcement: Engineering work on a red-light photo enforcement option along U.S. 395 is nearing completion to meet ODOT requirements; staff also said they were preparing an agreement with Good Shepherd Healthcare System to fund additional officers for coverage on its campus.
Council reaction and next steps
Councilors asked for clarification on permitting numbers and ADU activity; staff provided counts and said a five-year financial projection and internal policy updates are in progress. The aquatic/wellness task force will undertake public outreach in spring with recommendations to follow.
Councilor Roberts and others signaled continued interest in senior housing and development incentives; staff said they will continue outreach to developers and partners to pursue market-rate rental opportunities.
Staff asked council members to review materials ahead of a goal-setting session scheduled in coming weeks where council and staff will finalize priorities and workplan items for 2025.
