wasco2040 Blog

Economic Development and Infrastructure

Mid Columbia Economic Development District, in conjunction with a Columbia Gorge Economic Development steering committee, conducted seven regional outreach sessions in 2016 to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for counties in the Columbia Gorge region.  This includes Wasco County.

The CEDS includes some basic demographic data as well as economic data that provides context for many of the strategies that resulted from the planning process.  The priority goals that were identified were:

  • Housing
  • Financial capital and entrepreneurial environment
  • Workforce
  • Infrastructure
  • Regulatory Environment

Several challenges and opportunities identified under these goals have implications for land use planning.

The infrastructure goal specifically targets broadband as a critical goal to improving internet access to our rural communities.  A key strategy to support this goal is to reduce barriers to efficient broadband expansion and support streamlined permitting for broadband projects.  Planning is called out as a partner for helping to identify opportunities for easier, more efficient permitting.

Currently, in Wasco County outside the National Scenic Area, utility facilities under 200′ in height are not required to go through a land use review.  Many of the fiber optic lines are placed in the right of way, and do go through Public Works for permitting.  The Wasco County Public Works and Planning Departments collaborate to flag any concerns about projects.

There is opportunity in Wasco County 2040 to develop some additional policies that support broadband and other types of infrastructure development through a streamlined approach.  We would love to hear your feedback.  You can submit comments through this project website or email or mail comments to the Planning staff.  We would also love you to spend 7 minutes and answer 10 questions by taking our current survey on a variety of issues including economic development.

For the National Scenic Area, there is also still an opportunity to provide input about utility and infrastructure development by getting involved in Gorge 2020, the Management Plan update.  The Columbia River Gorge Commission has a public input tool available here: https://gorge2020.consider.it/.

 

wasco2040 Blog, Citizen Involvement, Update Process

Update on Public Involvement

As staff and the Citizen Advisory Group continue to work on updates and prepare for another road show work session series, we wanted to take a moment to thank all those who have participated in Wasco County 2040 to date.

To celebrate all the wonderful engagement, we updated an infographic from last year to show current numbers on public participation.

outreach may2018

You can submit comments, suggestions or feedback at any time over the next several years.

Here are some easy ways to stay up to date on news or share comments:

Attendaneventstayinformed.jpg

SUbmitacommentTakeoursurvey

Requestameeting

You can also send us a letter:

Wasco County Planning Department
Attn: Wasco County 2040
2705 E 2nd St
The Dalles, OR 97058

Thank you for your continued participation in helping us craft a long term vision for Wasco County’s future!

wasco2040 Blog, land use planning, Update Process

Land Use Planning Incentives

The Oregon Statewide Land Use Planning Goals require Comprehensive Plans to develop implementation strategies for achieving goals and policies for each Goal.  Goal 6 (Air, Water, and Land Resources Quality) is one example where there is a recommendation to use incentives to help achieve policy.

In developing Wasco County 2040, the Citizen Advisory Group and Planning staff are looking to identify possible incentives to include with our various policies to help us achieve goals.  As part of our May-June roadshow event series, and in other material soliciting public feedback like the most recent survey, we are encouraging the public to share suggestions for effective land use planning incentives.

Possible incentives might include:

  • Reduced planning permit fees for voluntary, up to date compliance for things like defensible space (fire protection)
  • Encouraging pre-application conferences for complex projects by refunding the total fee with a complete development permit application
  • Over the counter or same day application approvals for simple projects
  • Reduced fees for home occupations (working from home)
  • Transfer of development rights for certain types of uses where density closer to public services and facilities may be more appropriate

Over the course of the next several months, we look forward to hearing from residents and property owners their ideas on how to improve land use planning…and whether incentives may help us to achieve goals and policies.