Chapter 19.08
GENERAL GOALS AND POLICIES

Sections:

19.08.010    Citizen involvement.

19.08.020    Economic goals and policies.

19.08.030    Public services and facilities goals and policies.

19.08.040    Transportation goals and policies.

19.08.050    Housing goals and policies.

19.08.060    Natural factors and local resources goals and policies.

19.08.010 Citizen involvement.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goal 1)

(1) Preface. It is the intent of the city of St. Helens city council to have a program that ensures the opportunity for the citizens of the city to be involved in all phases of the land use planning process.

(2) Goals.

(a) Keep the citizens informed of opportunities for involvement.

(b) Develop programs to involve citizens in the land use planning process.

(3) Policies.

(a) Create a permanent committee to develop and implement programs to involve as many citizens as possible in the land use planning process.

(b) At least annually inform the citizens of the city of land use activities for the last year and proposed plans for land use activities for the coming year. (Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)

19.08.020 Economic goals and policies.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goal 9)

(1) Preface. Historically the city of St. Helens economy has been directly related to the Columbia River, forests and mineral aggregate resources. In the last decade there has been a significant shift in employment with over 50 percent of the residents commuting out of the county for employment. This is not a result of dying industries as much as it is a phenomenon of lower land costs, good quality of life, and reasonable commute times. Economic growth in the city of St. Helens is mostly due to population growth. New businesses are locating here to serve the growing population. Some new industrial growth is occurring but with very few jobs.

The largest employers inside the city limits are government agencies, then forest/wood products manufacturers, and then retailers. The city has over two miles of water front and another mile of water front in the urban growth area. There are three marinas and about 2,700 feet of public docks. With the city’s history of being a very old town (relative to Oregon’s history) located on the largest river in the Northwest, tourism is a major target of the city leaders’ plans for increased economic development.

The city’s vision plan envisions a maximum of 50 percent commuters, increased tourism, and self sufficiency in several areas such as healthcare and jobs. The city’s leaders are working with business leaders in developing plans to encourage more businesses to locate in St. Helens. The city’s leaders are coordinating with state leaders to improve the attractiveness of St. Helens for businesses and industries to locate in St. Helens.

(2) Goals.

(a) To maintain favorable conditions for a growing, healthy, stable and diversified business and industrial climate.

(b) To encourage the expansion of employment opportunities within the urban area so residents can work within their communities rather than commute to jobs outside the county.

(c) To promote industrial development necessary to provide a balanced tax base for the operation of local government services.

(d) To establish greater local control over the destiny of the local economic development.

(3) Policies. It is the policy of the city of St. Helens to:

(a) Develop program strategies with other agencies, groups and businesses in an effort to improve the local economy. Strategies should consider but not be limited to:

(i) Tax incentives and disincentives;

(ii) Land use controls and ordinances;

(iii) Preferential assessments;

(iv) Capital improvement programming; and

(v) Fee and less-than-fee acquisition techniques.

(b) Assist in programs to attract diverse businesses and industries.

(c) Work with applicable agencies at the state and federal levels in enacting controls and performance standards for industrial operators to reduce the possibility of adverse impacts on the environment.

(d) Encourage enterprises offering local residents a far greater selection of goods and services to locate here.

(e) Make waterfront development a high priority.

(f) Develop and implement public facility designs and development standards to revitalize businesses and business districts in the US 30 and Columbia Boulevard/St. Helens Street corridor master plan area.

(g) Create gateways and improve access and wayfinding signage to Houlton Business District and Historic Downtown.

(h) Improve the appearance, attractiveness, and safety of the Houlton Business District and Historic Downtown, through an enhanced street design that includes street trees, landscaping and more public spaces and pedestrian amenities.

(i) Develop the local tourist and recreation sectors of the economy.

(j) Allocate adequate amounts of land for economic growth and support the creation of commercial and industrial focal points.

(k) Identify special locations for industrial activities that will assist in energy conservation.

(l) Discourage the leapfrog development of industrial lands, unless there is a program to provide sewer and water to intervening properties.

(m) Make commercial designation large enough to accommodate a large variety of commercial development with sufficient buffers.

(n) Encourage land uses that are compatible with the transportation facilities. (Ord. 3181 § 4 (Att. C), 2015; Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)

19.08.030 Public services and facilities goals and policies.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goal 11)

(1) Preface. Public facilities are water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and transportation systems. These systems are essential to land use. All land improvement is impacted by and impacts public facilities. Public services usually include police, fire, health, schools, recreation, and library. While public services are very important, they do not impede development but rather react to development. The city of St. Helens has master plans and a general public facilities plan for all the essential public facilities. The city also has plans or agreements with many providers of the public services.

(2) Goals.

(a) To provide the facilities, utilities and services which are necessary for the well-being of the community.

(b) To develop an orderly arrangement of public facilities and services to serve as a framework for urban development.

(c) To design and locate public facilities so that: capacities are related to future as well as present demands; ample land is available for building and plant expansion; and public works plants and utility structures reflect due regard for their environmental impact.

(d) To designate land development patterns which would permit the most economical extension of public utilities.

(e) To provide all residents of urban areas with a sewage system that effectively meets current and future needs while protecting public health.

(f) To provide a water system adequate for future domestic and industrial purposes.

(g) To integrate schools with land use, transportation and recreation in order to realize their optimum value for local residents.

(h) To create and maintain ample places and facilities for recreation in St. Helens.

(i) To provide an effective law enforcement system responsive to the needs of the public as well as the rights of the individual.

(j) To reduce loss of lives and property from fires.

(k) To provide library services capable of meeting the needs of area residents.

(l) To work with the county in the effective management of the disposal of solid wastes.

(3) Policies. It is the policy of the city of St. Helens to:

(a) Ensure that urban facilities and services, particularly water and sewer systems, are properly designed to eventually serve the designated urban growth area; also, ensure that services are provided to sufficient vacant property to meet the anticipated needs.

(b) Prohibit the extension of municipal sewer or water service outside the urban growth boundary except in the following areas:

(i) Areas where an exception for Goals 11 and 14 has been taken to allow an urban level of service to be extended beyond the urban growth boundary; or

(ii) Areas designated as a “health hazard” according to the procedures required by state law; or

(iii) Areas zoned for rural industrial use, or a resource zone for a resource-related use, for which the following findings have been made:

(A) There is no feasible alternative for servicing the rural industrial or resource-related use, considering water availability, soil suitability for subsurface sewage disposal, costs of a subsurface system, the long term viability of a subsurface system to function successfully, or state or federal environmental regulations;

(B) Provisions of municipal sewer or water service will not impair the city’s long-term ability to service land within the city limits or urban growth boundary;

(C) The proposed extension of municipal sewer or water service will not serve any intervening land;

(D)     Extension of municipal sewer or water service shall not be a basis for future determination of commitment of the intervening rural lands; and

(E) The extension is limited to the needs of the existing rural industrial or resource-related use.

(c) Require in new residential developments that water, sewer, storm sewer, paved streets, curbs, parks and other improvements are installed as part of the initial construction. Encourage the placement of underground utilities whenever feasible.

(d) Ensure that capacities and patterns of utilities and other facilities are adequate to support the residential densities and land use patterns of the Comprehensive Plan.

(e) Require the nuisance-free storage of solid wastes, provide for the efficient collection of solid wastes through the franchising of private industries, and encourage the recovery of usable material through recycling.

(f) Rehabilitate old sewer lines and extend new ones as funding permits.

(g) Have all new subdivisions within the urban area connect to public sewer and water systems.

(h) Implement master water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and transportation system plans in coordination with the public facilities plan.

(i) Update the public facilities plan every five years and update the master water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and transportation system plans periodically, but no less than every 15 years.

(j) Require new developments to provide adequate drainage at the time of initial construction; however, discourage the removal of streamside vegetation, the alteration of streams and the drainage or contamination of wetlands that are identified as significant wildlife habitats.

(k) Strive to ensure that adequately sized water mains and sewer lines are installed initially to avoid costly expansion when the area becomes intensively developed.

(l) Discourage the expansion of local service districts when this would stimulate development in areas outside the urban growth boundary or create conditions leading to the need for sewage or other urban facilities.

(m) Discourage the leapfrog development of industrial lands, unless there is a program to provide sewer and water to intervening properties.

(n) Design public recreation facilities to meet the recreational needs of the populace by providing the widest practicable range of compatible activities and programs to meet the needs of diverse groups.

(o) Develop a program whereby the city’s park system can be maintained or expanded to serve the needs of the anticipated growth. This program could include, but not necessarily be limited to, acquisition of tax foreclosed properties, donations or required dedication of land to existing parks, donation or required dedication of land for new parks or a payment in-lieu-of dedication by developers for new development that would impact the city’s recreational system.

(p) Acquire sites for future parks as identified on the Comprehensive Plan map as far in advance as possible and have those sites be within one-half mile of residential areas.

(q) Investigate grant and loan opportunities from various private, state and federal agencies for park acquisition, development and expansion; where appropriate apply for these funds.

(r) Develop a plan to preserve canyons that have steep slopes for public uses.

(s) Encourage coordination between the school district’s planning and capital improvement program and the city’s land use program.

(t) Encourage the continued development of the library to meet the expanding needs of the community.

(u) Take necessary actions to help ensure the area maintains its current fire and police quality; specifically take into consideration the effects of fire and police protection in the siting and design of all new development.

(v) Continue coordination between the fire district’s planning and capital improvement program and the city’s land use planning program.

(w) Encourage cooperation between the health care facilities planning and capital improvements program and the city’s land use planning program.

(x) Work with all utility providers to locate and design power transmission lines and substations so they have a minimum impact on the environment.

(y) Encourage energy conservation and renewable energy resources.

(z) Make energy conservation and waste reduction a regular practice in purchasing, operation and maintaining its buildings, vehicles, equipment and facilities as well as take advantage of renewable energy opportunities.

(aa) Encourage residents and businesses to take action to conserve energy and use renewable resources; these efforts shall be coordinated with utilities, state and federal agencies and other organizations. (Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)

19.08.040 Transportation goals and policies.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goal 12)

(1) Preface. Transportation is all about moving people, goods and services within a defined geographic area. The city of St. Helens is like many communities which have started with a small area and expanded into areas with county-type roads. Many of our roads are gravel and many are substandard based upon current requirements. Overall the system of roads, bike paths, and pedestrian paths serves the community adequately in most areas. There are some areas lacking in pedestrian paths between new developments and existing developments. Most of the transportation system is addressed in the public facilities plan, and there are general schedules and estimated costs for bringing the transportation facilities into compliance with current standards.

(2) Goals.

(a) To develop and maintain methods for moving people and goods which are:

(i) Responsive to the needs and preferences of individuals, business and industry;

(ii) Suitably integrated into the fabric of the urban communities; and

(iii) Safe, rapid, economical and convenient to use.

(b) To remove existing congestion and prevent future congestion so that accidents and travel times would both be reduced.

(c) To create relatively traffic-free residential areas.

(d) To strengthen the economy by facilitating the means for transporting industrial goods.

(e) To maintain a road network that is an asset to existing commercial areas.

(f) To provide a more reliable basis for planning new public and private developments whose location depends upon transportation.

(g) To cooperate closely with the county and state on transportation matters.

(h) To assure that roads have the capacity for expansion and extension to meet future demands.

(i) To ensure future arterial rights-of-way are not encroached upon.

(j) To encourage energy-conserving modes of transit.

(k) To increase appropriate walking and bicycling opportunities.

(3) Policies. It is the policy of the city of St. Helens to:

(a) Require all newly established streets and highways are of proper width, alignment, design and construction and are in conformance with the development standards adopted by the city.

(b) Review diligently all subdivision plats and road dedications to ensure the establishment of a safe and efficient road system.

(c) Support and adopt by reference road projects listed in the Six-Year Highway Improvement Program; specifically, work towards attaining left turn lanes and traffic lights on Highway 30.

(d) Control or eliminate traffic hazards along road margins through building setbacks, dedications or regulation of access at the time of subdivision, zone change or construction.

(e) Regulate signs and sign lighting to avoid distractions for motorists.

(f) Work with the railroad owners and operators to improve the safety at railroad crossings.

(g) Plan and develop street routes to alleviate Highway 30’s traffic load.

(h) Regulate or prevent development within areas required for future arterials or widening of rights-of-way.

(i) Follow good access management techniques on all roadway systems within the city.

(j) Develop a plan for walking trails.

(k) Maintain, implement, and update the bikeway plan.

(l) Work with Columbia County and other agencies in their efforts to meet the needs of the transportationally disadvantaged in the community.

(m) Encourage increased opportunities for public local and regional transit facilities.

(n) Support public transit planning in Columbia County. Transit improvements within city limits shall be guided by the findings and recommendations of the Columbia County community-wide transit plan, or the equivalent, as adopted by Columbia County.

(o) Work in partnership with the county in planning for public transit facilities located within city limits and, when feasible, facilitate the placement of such facilities.

(p) Support connectivity in the transportation network by permitting cul-de-sacs only when environmental or topographical constraints or existing development patterns preclude local street connectivity. Where cul-de-sacs are proposed and built, there shall be pedestrian and bicyclist connections and pathways provided to the surrounding street system.

(q) Provide flexibility in roadway design within the riverfront district in order to allow for innovative, pedestrian-friendly spaces that provide adequate transportation capacity and service for all modes of travel, allow for financially feasible development of land, and offer public benefits to St. Helens residents, business owners, and visitors. (Ord. 3241 § 3 (Att. B), 2019; Ord. 3150 § 3 (Att. B), 2011; Ord. 3144 § 2 (Att. A), 2011; Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)

19.08.050 Housing goals and policies.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goal 10)

(1) Preface. Residents of the city of St. Helens are demographically in different stages of socioeconomics. As such, they vary in their family sizes, economic capabilities and interests and will desire different types of housing. The strategy is to ensure that sufficient lands are designated for those different phases and desires of current and future residents and to encourage policies and decisions to allow all residents the ability to find affordable housing.

(2) Goals.

(a) To promote safe, adequate, and affordable housing for all current and future members of the community.

(b) To locate housing so that it is fully integrated with land use, transportation and public facilities as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.

(3) Policies. It is the policy of the city of St. Helens to:

(a) Maintain adequate development and building codes to achieve the city’s housing goals.

(b) Encourage the distribution of low income and/or multifamily housing throughout the city rather than limiting them to a few large concentrations.

(c) Work with all interested agencies to facilitate housing conservation and construction, and to improve substandard dwellings where cost effective.

(d) Encourage and cooperate with all efforts to provide adequate housing for those with special needs.

(e) Permit multifamily developments which conform to the following general conditions and criteria:

(i) They should not be constructed within areas which are established and recognized as substantially well maintained single-family areas.

(ii) They should have safe and appropriate arrangement of buildings, open spaces, and parking access.

(iii) They should not be so large or close to single-family homes as to block their view or sunlight or to unduly interfere with an established single-family character; where conditionally used, they thus shall be subject to density criteria.

(iv) They should include adequate open space.

(v) They should include ample off-street parking.

(vi) They should not be located where undue noise or other factors will adversely affect residential living.

(vii) They shall be subject to a site design review process and minimum landscaping requirements.

(f) Permit mobile home park development which conforms to the following general conditions and criteria:

(i) They should not be constructed within areas which are established and recognized as substantially well maintained single-family areas.

(ii) They should include adequate open space.

(iii) They should include ample off-street parking.

(iv) They should not be located where undue noise or other factors will not adversely affect residential living.

(v) They shall be subject to a site design review process and minimum landscaping requirements and possibly fencing or screening requirements.

(vi) They should provide internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation and landscaping.

(g) Re-evaluate city ordinances and, where possible, streamline administration and requirements in order to reduce development costs.

(h) Encourage energy-efficient housing patterns in residential developments. (Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)

19.08.060 Natural factors and local resources goals and policies.

(Ref: Statewide Planning Goals 5, 6, and 7)

(1) Preface. This city’s history is all about resources. Water, land, aggregate and forests were the mainstay of the community for at least the first hundred years. Now the natural factors and local resources are all about quality of life and are part of why people choose to live in our community. As our community continues to grow the challenge is to preserve as much of the natural resources of trees, water, and land while accommodating new development and all of its impacts.

(2) Goals.

(a) To maintain and, where possible, enhance the air, water, and land resources of the St. Helens area.

(b) To assure proper and safe development, use and protection of the area’s significant soil, mineral and geological resources.

(c) To ensure that unique geological areas are protected from development that could degrade the area.

(d) To ensure the conservation of substantial fish and wildlife habitats.

(e) To preserve open spaces within and between urban living areas.

(f) To encourage the protection of the forest area within the urban growth boundary.

(g) To preserve for the public benefit outstanding scenic areas.

(3) Policies. It is the policy of the city of St. Helens to:

(a) Participate in resource management planning through participation in collective federal, state, and regional agency planning programs.

(b) Consider airshed and water resources capacities in reviewing all plans, ordinances and permits for land development actions.

(c) Support the recycling of solid wastes.

(d) Work with the county in the management of solid wastes to prevent the contamination of local resources.

(e) Encourage the preservation of those forest lands between Columbia City and St. Helens.

(f) Encourage the preservation, restoration, and functionality of the open space corridors or rezone to open space zone the following lands:

(i) The canyon area adjoining Godfrey Park.

(ii) The unimproved gullies and creekbed systems.

(iii) The lands along significant riparian corridors and connecting wetlands.

(g) Direct development away from the Willamette River Greenway to the maximum extent possible; provided, however, lands committed to the urban uses within the greenway shall be allowed to continue and to intensify, provided the activity is water related or water dependent. The city shall prohibit new non-water-related or non-water-dependent uses from within 150 feet of the Willamette River Greenway.

(h) Take exception to LCDC’s Agricultural Goal and Forest Goal on the preservation of Class I – IV soils and soils that have good woodland capability as one of such lands will be needed for future city growth and included in the urban growth boundary.

(i) Development in a hazardous area is required to meet strict standards to reduce or eliminate public harm.

(j) Balance development rights of property owners and protection of public views of the Columbia River, Scappoose Bay and Multnomah Channel.

(k) Subject proposed alteration of the city’s historic resources to design review and historic documentation to encourage preservation of historical assets.

(l) Devise a program for attempting to preserve those historic resources that are threatened with demolition.

(m) Encourage adaptive reuse of historic resources.

(n) Utilize zoning, buffer zones, and design review procedures to protect noise-sensitive areas from noise-producing areas.

(o) Institute design review procedures to protect the area’s archaeological resources.

(p) Comply with applicable state and federal environmental regulations.

(q) Revise all land development standards to encourage solar access, establish criteria for approval of energy facilities, remove obstacles to energy-efficient design, and require energy-efficient development when ownership is to be transferred to the city upon completion.

(r) Develop protection programs for the following St. Helens significant resources: wetlands, riparian corridors, wildlife habitats, groundwater resources, natural areas, wilderness areas, mineral and aggregate resources, energy sources, and cultural areas. (Ord. 3215 § 4 (Att. D), 2017; Ord. 3144 § 2 (Att. A), 2011; Ord. 2980 § 2, 2006)