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Milwaukie staff outline land-banking strategy to support affordable housing and park acquisitions
Summary
City staff presented a scaled land-banking strategy that would rely on partnerships, targeted parcel criteria, land-use tools (ground leases, development agreements, deed restrictions) and potentially a small agile acquisition fund. Council asked staff to return with map overlays, a refined budget ask and study-session follow-up.
City staff presented a framed land-banking strategy at a Milwaukie council work session, proposing a scaled, pragmatic approach for a small city that is not yet positioned for a full, standalone land bank.
Staff member Mandy explained the concept as a package of tools and guardrails the city could use to identify and act on strategic land opportunities. She said the Housing Production Strategy already references land banking and that the staff proposal focuses on partnerships (community land trusts and experienced developers), a parcel database drawn from the city's buildable land inventory, and a policy framework that prioritizes sites near transit or in parks-deficient neighborhoods.
The staff presentation listed specific implementation tools: ground leases to engage community land trusts, development agreements to spell out deliverables, deed restrictions and covenants for long-term affordability, and option agreements/right of first refusal to preserve city purchase opportunities. Staff also proposed funding-linked agreements (grants, fee waivers, infrastructure support in exchange for affordability commitments) and described the idea of a modest set-aside acquisition fund so the city can act quickly when a strategic parcel becomes available.
Council members asked how the city had previously financed opportunistic purchases; staff acknowledged ad hoc, "scrappy" past uses of utility loans and URA (Urban Renewal Agency) mechanisms to close deals and said the proposed strategy would formalize guardrails, tracking and staff time to avoid stagnation and ensure disposition plans are followed. Several councilmembers requested mapping overlays (parcels, hubs, transit proximity), asked for clear prioritization criteria by use (park vs. affordable housing), and suggested a follow-up study session or a time-limited subcommittee to dig into budget numbers and implementation timelines.
Why this matters: If adopted and resourced, the strategy would give Milwaukie a more intentional way to acquire parcels for affordable housing, parks and economic development and to leverage limited local dollars with partner organizations. Staff said the next steps are to refine the draft strategy, produce map overlays, develop a scope for a budget ask and return to council for additional direction and potential formal adoption.
What happens next: Council generally supported staff pproach items 1 and 4 and asked staff to prepare a more refined proposal, including spatial overlays and a quantifiable budget ask to bring back in a subsequent study or work session.
