County to prepare letter supporting City of Hood River Waterfront URA amendment and maximum indebtedness

Commissioners instructed staff to draft a letter expressing the county’s support for the City of Hood River’s first substantial amendment to the Waterfront Urban Renewal Area (URA) and to endorse the maximum indebtedness figure described by city staff. The motion by Commissioner Babitz, seconded by Commissioner Weathers, passed unanimously.

City Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris presented the amendment and answered commissioner questions about funding, tax collection and the URA’s size. Commissioners said they viewed the URA as a useful tool to address stormwater and infrastructure needs in the waterfront area and that being a party of record would help the city’s consultation process.

The update included a separate intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would grant Hood River County permitting authority for the White Salmon–Hood River bridge replacement project, leaving appeals to the Columbia River Gorge Commission. The county clarified that the agreement did not transfer funding obligations and that the Bridge Commission will cover permitting fees.

Staff will prepare a formal letter of support describing the county’s comments and the preferred maximum indebtedness level; the commission approved drafting that letter and making the county a party of record in the review process.