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Astoria approves 10-year redesignation of Clatsop County enterprise zone with minor boundary change
Summary
Council adopted a resolution to redesignate and amend the Clatsop County Enterprise Zone for another 10 years, with staff explaining the amendment reflects census-driven boundary adjustments and preserves earlier carve-outs (hotels excluded from incentives).
The Astoria City Council voted to adopt a resolution redesignating and amending the Clatsop County Enterprise Zone, extending the zone for another decade and making a small boundary amendment to comply with state eligibility rules.
Kevin Leahy, who presented the redesignation, told council the enterprise zone (originally created in 2015, with Astoria becoming a sponsor in 2018) has produced several participating businesses and that the redesignation is intended to sustain economic development tools such as tax exemptions, income-tax credits and streamlined permitting. Leahy cited an estimated $75,000,000 in investment and about 135 new jobs associated with recent participants in the program.
Councilors asked detailed questions about why hotels are excluded from zone incentives and whether port-area projects could be accommodated through map amendments; Leahy said hotels can be built within the zone but would not be eligible for the exemptions as the city requested that carve-out in 2018. He added the redesignation deadline to submit the application to the state is June 30, prompting council to act promptly.
Councilor Lum moved adoption and Councilor Davis seconded; roll call recorded ayes and the resolution passed. Staff noted any future business seeking zone benefits could be accommodated by amending the map when appropriate.
