Astoria council approves $71,725 to cover transportation SDCs so Consejo Hispano can buy downtown church

The Astoria City Council on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing the city to pay $71,725.46 in transportation system development charges (SDCs) to support Consejo Hispano’s planned acquisition of the Peace First Lutheran Church building in downtown Astoria.

City Manager Mr. Spence told the council the request presented a “unique opportunity” to help a long‑standing community partner acquire the 50,500‑square‑foot building and said staff recommended using money in Special Project Fund 140 to offset the transportation SDCs. "We were able to do it within, what, 48 hours," Spence said, describing a quick internal process to prepare the resolution.

The council’s action follows staff briefings about the fund’s origin and balance. Spence said Fund 140 currently holds roughly $749,000 and was created after an overcollection tied to the Astor West area; the council set the funds aside in 2021–22 with some flexibility for future community projects. "Council has the authority, and if they have changing priorities, they can revisit that and budget as they like," Spence said.

Councilors discussed the request at length before voting. Councilor Mozzarella and Councilor Lapp praised the organization and the council’s fast response; Councilor Adams and Councilor Davis urged creation of formal criteria for future SDC assistance to ensure equity, transparency and accountability. "I would like to see us act fast in a thoughtful way to designing some priorities around urban renewal," Councilor Adams said. Andy Kipp, a public commenter, urged the council to create a formal SDC waiver program with written criteria and accountability measures even as he backed the Consejo Hispano request.

Supporters of the acquisition described the benefits of having Consejo Hispano anchored in a permanent downtown location. Marion Soderberg, a George Award recipient who attended the meeting, said the church sale will provide the congregation funds for outreach; Jenny Poole Radway, representing Consejo Hispano, said owning a building would stabilize operations and free up rent payments to be used for programs. "This is our 20 year anniversary. We've always rented," Poole Radway said. "This is really an opportunity…to put us as a nonprofit in a much better financial position."

Councilor Davis framed the council action as an offset of an SDC cost rather than a regulatory waiver, saying the city would be subsidizing a community project from an existing discretionary fund. After discussion, Councilor Adams moved to approve the resolution and authorize expenditure of $71,725.46; Councilor Lapp seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

The resolution authorizes an internal transfer from Fund 140 to pay the transportation SDCs when Consejo Hispano completes its permitting and pays any nominal permit fees. Council members said they want to develop written procedures or criteria for future requests to ensure consistent, equitable use of similar funds.

The council did not change land‑use approvals during the meeting; the action was limited to authorizing the SDC payment. Staff said they will execute the internal transfer after Consejo Hispano completes its permitting requirements and pays required permit fees.