Commission authorizes consultant to study amendment to Astor East to add Copeland Commons and DairyGold site

The Astoria Development Commission on July 21 authorized the city manager to contract with Elaine Howard Consulting LLC to pursue a substantial amendment to the Astor East urban renewal district to include the Copeland Commons property and an additional lot identified as Dairygold. City Manager Spence told the commission the consultant work would cost just under $31,000 and take approximately four to six months.

Spence said adding two properties improves the cost‑benefit of the consultant contract and noted the county owns the DairyGold parcel; staff have been negotiating with the county and a draft MOU may be returned to the commission or council for formalization. "We had come to the commission and proposed the idea of making an amendment to the Astor East boundaries to include the Copeland Commons property," Spence said, adding that consultants would evaluate indebtedness limits and the public process required for the amendment.

Commissioners asked about the statutory acreage and indebtedness limits for urban renewal agencies. Staff explained state law caps increase at 20% for rural areas and that Astor East has only a small acreage allowance remaining; staff said the district has not reached its maximum indebtedness. Commissioner Davis stated she would abstain from discussion and voting on matters involving Copeland Commons because she sits on that board; the chair clarified that outside activity does not necessarily create a disqualifying conflict but accepted the abstention.

Commissioner Lump moved, and Commissioner Mazzarella seconded, a motion to authorize the scope of work and the city manager to enter the contract; the motion carried.