Oregon City planning panel approves Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde master plan amendment for tomata village at Willamette Falls

The Oregon City Planning Commission on Jan. 27, 2025, voted to approve a master-plan amendment to CP1402 and a consolidated detailed development plan that create a framework for future redevelopment of the former mill site now owned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and branded as tomata village.

The amendment, approved by a 4–0 vote with one abstention, revises the 2014 framework plan to add a private street network with public access easements, identify a new Railroad Avenue for site circulation, preserve two mill foundations for integration into public open space, and keep the Riverwalk alignment and public-access requirements along the Willamette River. The commission also accepted the detailed development plan elements for streets and frontage improvements that are ready to move toward construction.

Staff and the applicant said the decision creates a clearer, shorter permitting path for future work on the 23-acre site while maintaining the city's code requirements for natural resources, floodplain review and Willamette River Greenway public access. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde presented the proposal as tomata village, describing it as a tribe-led effort to restore habitat, deliver public shoreline access and establish mixed-use development, cultural spaces and jobs.

"This effort is about healing this sacred landscape while building a modern tribal village for our descendants," said David Harrelson, cultural resources department manager for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Harrelson, a tribal member, spoke during the applicant presentation about cultural stewardship and partnerships the tribe has built with groups including the Chinese Diaspora Project and Oregon Black Pioneers.

Kristen Svakarovich, community development manager for the tribe, told the commission the project team…