Scappoose planning commission recommends 50‑year comprehensive plan, including 64‑acre UGB expansion

At a public hearing, the Scappoose Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a consolidated 50‑year comprehensive plan package that includes updates to the comprehensive plan, map redesignations, rezones and development‑code amendments.

Community Development Director Lori Joseph summarized staff’s recommendation: “Staff recommend that the Planning Commission recommend adoption of the proposed amendments by the City Council subject to the conditions of approval,” which include amending public‑facilities plans within five years and recording trip caps on properties being redesignated or rezoned pending an updated Transportation System Plan.

The proposal packages together several local file numbers: CPA 2‑23 (housing capacity analysis and comprehensive plan updates), CPMA 1‑26 (comprehensive plan map redesignations), ZC 1‑26 (rezones), and DCTA 1‑26 (development code text amendments). Consultant Beth Goodman of Echo Northwest told the commission the housing capacity analysis showed a forecast need of about 1,284 new dwelling units between 2023 and 2043, with current capacity near 1,236 units and a modest shortfall concentrated in medium‑ and high‑density plan designations. Goodman also said the economic opportunities analysis projects roughly 2,125 new jobs over 20 years, creating demand for about 141 acres of industrial land and 51 acres of commercial land; the consultant noted the city has a roughly 300‑acre surplus of industrial land due to prior UGB expansions.

Staff and the consultant outlined how the package aims to address shortfalls through a combination of modest inside‑UGB density allowances (for example, changes tied to state middle‑housing rules and minor reductions in minimum lot sizes), rezoning of some parcels (including roughly 68 acres from industrial to commercial adjacent to Highway 30), and a proposed 64‑acre urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion (about 44 buildable acres) plus about 480 acres of urban reserves to be considered for future UGB expansions. As a transportation mitigation measure, staff said trip caps depicted in exhibit materials would be recorded against affected parcels and reevaluated after the city’s TSP update.

During deliberations commissioners praised the scope of the planning work and discussed continuing outreach and follow‑up on neighborhood concerns raised during public comment. A motion to recommend approval of CPA 2‑23, CPMA 1‑26, ZC 1‑26 and DCTA 1‑26 (including revised language and submitted public comments) was moved by a commissioner and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote.

The City Council is scheduled to hold its hearing on the proposal on July 20, 2026; if the council adopts the package locally, Columbia County hearings and formal co‑adoption steps are expected to follow.