City staff says ODOT-funded transportation system plan is underway; public input and 30% design sketches possible

Yamhill staff reported the city has funding in the Oregon Department of Transportation Region 2 biennium budget to complete a Transportation System Plan (TSP).

Walt said the city has held two initial meetings and is drafting a scope of work to solicit consultant proposals. He described a multi-year schedule split over the biennium and said there is potential for the TSP to include "30% engineering design" — preliminary engineering sketches that would give consultants and the public an early sense of concepts without producing 100% construction-ready plans.

"There will generally be a public meeting to take in nothing but comments," Walt said, describing planned open houses to gather pedestrian and bicycle concerns and requests for location-specific feedback. He noted the state is funding the work and that the plan will help the city prepare for likely development and connection needs, including walkability to downtown and traffic issues at the main intersection.

Commissioners asked about population projections and whether the city might need an urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion; Walt referenced a buildable-lands inventory and Portland State University projections, saying a UGB expansion is not guaranteed but could be considered in future planning based on projected needs.

Walt said he will keep the commission informed through memos or updates and indicated he hopes the city will be able to hire a consultant after completing the scope of work. He also mentioned a preferred consultant (DKS) he has worked with previously.

The commission received the update and discussed timing and next steps for public outreach and site-specific issues during upcoming TSP work.