St. Helens council approves rezoning of 1771 Columbia Blvd., continues police station site work

St. Helens city officials voted May 7 to approve a zone map amendment that changes a portion of 1771 Columbia Boulevard from General Commercial to the Holton Business District, a move staff said removes a longstanding “spot zone” that had fragmented the property’s regulatory status.

The rezoning passed after a combined public forum and legislative land-use hearing that included a staff presentation of site comparisons and cost estimates and public comment critical of the city’s process and affordability of a new police station.

City staff described the rezoning as largely a housekeeping action that corrects inconsistent zoning on the parcel. “The primary reason is the prohibition of ground level residential was removed from our zoning ordinance in 02/2015,” a staff member said during the hearing, adding that cleaning up that mismatch was the planning staff’s principal rationale for a map change that also happens to make a police station feasible on the property.

Consultant Dave Lentz, the project executive with BoJack who led the site review, presented a side-by-side evaluation of multiple candidate parcels, including the existing station, a previously proposed Castro Road site, a Gable Road option, and the Columbia Boulevard parcel at 1771. Lentz told the council the project baseline estimate was about $11,400,000 and that the Columbia site “comes out at the lowest cost” when comparing the trade-offs across sites. He described higher costs and complications linked to floodplain and land‑use processes at some alternate sites and said the team reused existing building drawings to limit design costs where possible.

During public comment several residents said they believed the council had already decided to site the new police station and objected to proceeding while financial questions remain. “This is disingenuous… you’ve already made the decision,” one commenter said. Another resident raised concern about a proposed increase to utility bills that could be used to finance the project, calling the timing “shameful” for families on tight budgets.

Council discussion repeatedly separated the zoning decision from the station siting choice. The council’s motion, which the body approved, covers only the zoning change; staff noted that separate negotiations with the property owner over lease and purchase options are ongoing and that the city had not yet completed a final acquisition. Staff also said the city had conducted Phase I environmental analyses and would perform further site due diligence if negotiations progress.

The vote to approve the zone map amendment (ZA-125) was recorded as follows: Councilor Sandeep — aye; Council President Chilton — aye; Councilor Hubbard — aye; Mayor Jennifer Massey — aye. The council approved the ordinance on first reading; staff said the ordinance will return for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.

Beyond zoning, the presentation and questions focused on cost detail, parking needs and secure vehicle storage, floodplain constraints on some sites, demolition and hazardous‑materials work associated with redeveloping existing buildings, and timing of contractor pricing updates. Consultant Lentz said some pricing updates were three to five months old and that estimates were being refreshed by the selected contractor.

Council members and staff stressed the city must still decide on whether to lease or buy the Columbia property if negotiations succeed. Staff also noted the rezoning primarily resolves the fragmented zoning on the parcel and would stand even if the police station were ultimately sited elsewhere.

The city will continue negotiations with the property owner and pursue further environmental, geotechnical and design work if the site move proceeds. The rezoning clears a regulatory step; it does not authorize construction funding or a final site purchase.

Residents who spoke at the forum also urged the council to consider alternatives such as remodeling the existing station, using the community center as a substation, and minimizing the size and cost of any new facility to address hiring and operating budget constraints.

The council adjourned the hearing and moved other business later the same evening. Staff said they will incorporate public feedback into continuing due diligence and will return with additional recommendations as negotiations and design work proceed.