Future Development In Umatilla Could Be Less Dense

    Where Umatilla stands with potential housing units and how it might grow in the future are an ongoing topic of discussion inside city hall. With long-dormant infill lots finally being built on, and the city regularly hearing from developers looking to bring large projects into the city limits, city leaders have been more and more vocal about development in the city and what it should look like going forward.
    At a meeting of the Umatilla City Council on Tuesday, May 17, members heard a city staff presentation on potential housing units already possible inside the city, and used the presentation as a jumping-off point regarding future annexations.
    “We’re starting to feel development pressure,” said city manager Scott Blankenship, citing an increase in developers looking at projects in the city and closely surrounding. “Where are we today with our entitled residential property?”
    The answer was provided by city director of development and public services, Aaron Mercer.
    Mercer presented a powerpoint presentation that showed each empty lot in the city, and estimated how many housing units could be placed on each site under its current zoning. Adding in recently approved large developments in the southeastern section of the city, and Mercer estimated Umatilla could see as many as 1,172 new homes without annexing another single property.
    “This is a snapshot, and excludes any future potential annexations.”
    How many of those sites are located inside the two large developments?
    “More than half,” was Mercer’s assessment.
    Estimating 2.2 people per household, Mercer said the already approved zoning entitlements within the city could bring another 2,500 residents to town.
    The information was presented to the council at a time when the city is working to consider future infrastructure requirements. A large lift station project is being developed along SR 19, at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. That station would open up the northern section of the city to more development should it be undertaken.
    What that eventual growth should look like was also a topic. Mayor Kent Adcock voiced his belief that the city should be looking more toward projects that bring less density with them, noting that both the Woodsong and Magnolia Pointe developments are higher density and will most likely attract working-class buyers. While supporting such 'workforce housing' projects, Adcock made it clear that in his mind Umatilla needs to focus on other types of projects going forward.
    "I don't' want us to get out of balance." Adcock said he doesn't want Umatilla to only build workforce housing, as such high-density developments put extra pressure on a wide variety of systems, from roads to schools and beyond.
    "What do we want to look like?" Adcock asked rhetorically, as the answer to that question has been hard to come by over the years.
    However, it was clear that city leaders have an interest in developments that have less density, larger lot sizes, and more amenities that will attract a broad range of potential purchasers and future city residents.