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Hood River County delays decision on Westside URA parcel, remains open to developer offers
Summary
After reviewing options for a two-acre county parcel purchased with construction excise tax funds, Hood River County commissioners directed staff to wait until the adjacent Mariposa Village (Rand Road) development is completed but to consider any time-sensitive offers from private developers.
Hood River County commissioners on Dec. 16 reviewed options for a roughly two-acre parcel within the Westside Urban Renewal Area that the county acquired in 2021 with construction excise tax (CET) money. Administrator Williams told the Board the parcel is encumbered by a trail, a creek, and a planned road, and that steep terrain and floodplain constraints limit its developable area.
The Board heard three options from staff: collaborate with the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) on a request for proposals to pursue affordable housing or a partnership with adjacent developers; list the parcel for sale on the open market; or transfer the parcel to the URA to meet open-space and circulation obligations for surrounding projects. Administrator Williams noted the county repaid a prior Public Works fund loan with $343,510 in CET funds used for the purchase and emphasized the County’s CET ordinance limits CET spending to affordable housing or developer incentives.
Community Development Director Eric Walker told commissioners the parcel’s development viability is low as a standalone site given the encumbrances and grading challenges, and that it is likely most useful to adjacent property owners or to serve as open space or trail connectivity. Administrator Williams said the parcel’s assessed value is $531,000 annually and that the county’s CET investment equals $343,510.
Commissioner Arthur Babitz urged waiting to see how the nearby Mariposa Village (Rand Road) project proceeds before taking further action but said he would consider time-sensitive offers from neighboring developers. Chair Jennifer Euwer asked whether deed restrictions could be used to ensure trail connectivity; Administrator Williams said deed restrictions would be a Board-level decision and that the URA and City would want to provide direction if a restriction were placed on the parcel.
After discussion the Board directed staff to wait for the Mariposa Village development to be completed and to present any private offers to the Board for consideration rather than immediately listing or transferring the parcel.
The Board did not take a formal, binding disposition vote on the parcel during the meeting; staff will return with follow-up if proposals or offers arise.
