Director: Sandy selected for federal‑backed mass timber grant; disinfection building delayed to FY2027

Development Services Director Kelly reported to the Planning Commission that Sandy was selected for a state/DLCD mass‑timber grant and that a consultant will present recommendations at a joint work session with city council.

Kelly said DLCD selected consultants to work with 10 jurisdictions and that “Sandy was 1 of 10 municipalities selected. We’re the largest, actually, of all 10, and we’re the last 1.” He said the consultant MIG will audit local code and present a set of recommendations during the Feb. 18 joint session to help the city process mass timber applications.

Kelly described mass timber as a construction approach increasingly used where rapid replacement of housing is needed after disasters; he said the grant aims to help local permitting and code updates. Commissioners asked about local manufacturers; Kelly and other commissioners noted there are manufacturers in the region.

On capital projects, Senior Planner Patrick Debo told commissioners Deerpoint Park’s design review application is under review and scheduled for construction this year. Patrick said the city’s disinfection building and pump station upgrade is scheduled for fiscal year 2027 because upgrades to the Portland–Sandy connection and water main work must happen first.

Kelly also summarized code enforcement for the year: Code Enforcement Officer Chris Aurelia closed 451 cases in the previous year, and about one‑third were vegetation complaints.

The commission was reminded of the Feb. 18 joint council work session on mass timber and encouraged to attend in person or online.