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Council discusses surplus-land outreach; city explores master plan, developer interest and $270,000 brownfield funds
Summary
Council reported ongoing talks with potential developers for the city’s surplus landing parcel, discussed a possible master plan approach and said remaining brownfield cleanup grant funds of about $270,000 could fund master planning work.
During council and staff comments on July 28, councilmembers provided updates on the city’s outreach under the Surplus Land Act and early negotiations over potential affordable-housing development at the landing.
A councilmember (Todd) said the city is in the 60-day solicitation window to receive proposals for development of surplus land designated for affordable housing. He reported discussions with Zen Development about a proposal for roughly 60 units on a parcel at the north end of the site and separate outreach with a group referred to as K2; K2 representatives are reportedly preparing a placeholder submission and may propose a master-planned development for the entire site.
Council and staff described a preference among developers for completing a detailed master plan before project-specific approvals. The proposed master plan would clarify zoning, site constraints (including elevation and compaction issues), allowable residential locations under existing land-use covenants, and community-desirability considerations. Staff said the plan would be subject to public outreach, Planning Commission review and council approval, which proponents said would simplify later permitting for a developer that aligns with the approved plan.
Councilmember Todd said the city has remaining brownfield cleanup grant funds of about $270,000 and that staff and the city’s consultant team will meet with the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) and other partners to explore whether those funds can finance the master planning work. He said the group will meet on Friday to evaluate the proposal’s compatibility with the grant’s allowable uses.
Councilmembers emphasized the early stage of discussions and said negotiations would proceed in good faith if formal proposals arrive; no formal development agreement or binding commitment was reported at the meeting. The council also mentioned interest from prospective developers in using a mix of affordable-housing grants, loans and transportation grants to build infrastructure and make development financially feasible.
The council did not take further action during the meeting; staff said a working group will meet and report back with status updates.
