Title
The City's Public Works Operations Center Progress Update (Goal 2)
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
No action is needed. This is just providing the City Commission an update on the land use, architectural and engineering services in progress on the public works operation center.
BACKGROUND:
This agenda and staff report are intended to introduce a presentation that will provide updates on efforts to date in proceeding with the formal land use and detailed development plan (2017) to obtain Planning Commission and City Commission approval. This City Commission Goal to Address Critical Facility Needs (Goal 2):
1) Update the Public Works Operations Center Master Plan at its current location; and
2) Proceed with construction at the Public Works Operations Center current location.
In 2010, the Planning and City Commissions adopted a Public Works Center Master Plan. The City Commission’s decision on the Master Plan was a divided decision because the plan called for use of the existing location, which then resulted in election year dissension. In the end, the 2010 Public Works Center Master Plan adoption was called up for reconsideration by members of the new City Commission and ultimately, the plan was unsupported because of the proposal to remain at the existing location.
Over the last several years, the City Commission and City staff have considered a multitude of interest areas including:
• Varied site options and different site configurations
• Design details and development concessions to ease concerns heard by the community
• A neighborhood claim that the Operations Center's upper yard was not property available for use by Public Works but instead, part of Waterboard Park and should be transformed back into park land.
• A neighborhood claim that certain existing site buildings are of sufficient historic significance to warrant saving.
• Historic, environmental, and geologic significance of the site and how these circumstances affect the development of the site.
• The site and the City’s proposal continues to see a variety of public assertions, appeals and legal maneuvering from the neighborhood on the parks issue, HRB adoption process, decisions on building historic status
• The status and availability of the Armory
Staff have continued to work on acquisition of the Armory, as well as site and building design alternatives that both meet the long-term needs of the facility and, where appropriate, the preferences of the greater Oregon City community. Work is also ongoing with the detailed development plan.