[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6283987,"mediaKeyId","2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240","parentId",2584404,"title","Commissioners flag maintenance and access problems at the courthouse square; long-term redesign eyed","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",4169824,"endMs",4308045,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240&start=4169&end=4308","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240/thumbnail_4169824.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283987/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commissioners-flag-maintenance-and-access-problems-at-the-courthouse-square-long-term-redesign-eyed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283987-db700761eb541cd5f24d50d559ed3969/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105612&Signature=ijcbbKZzCGOYf57iA998ZxMSdqLXGXBU9HQaBk0Ux6Vj9LZwpjOrZHyvRddERwSaQk91VMw89gkAfjhhohFYgpYX8EKIBtuM-Hv7r7BRyHPq2t95JsHdKlZxBMnMUiKDKVwdrgivyUAwb9KKQoESuVUfQyHZ1Cu6jlvVpuh8Hh6KFZ7RKdY~GJIJ5RDR6suhmCqtcR1r~~TKVDAxYGX0L9U086J-ZBRC9DVHthU4t4l5rmCUN8Jhgb5JyeofeUcXkY6k1A96jqs-Td7qxYAchx5-pycZpo2F-NyTrkTw1wQngIccNtM5jwZ8hv2z6T-36ZLpJboCMdyCsiTL47YWqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-03-12T22:59:22Z","article","Planning commissioners and councilors raised concerns about the condition and accessibility of the courthouse square (the plaza) at their March 12 joint meeting, urging study of a sustainable redesign that would reduce mud, improve wheelchair access and address unclear ownership and maintenance responsibilities.

Why it matters: Several speakers said the square’s grass is routinely damaged — especially after large events like Halloweentown — and the current condition makes pedestrian access and mobility difficult. The plaza sits on land with mixed or unclear ownership and both city and county crews sometimes maintain it, complicating decisions about major changes.

What was discussed

- Visible damage and accessibility: Commissioners described annual damage to the grass and wheel‑chair accessibility problems. \"It's not accessible to anybody that has any challenges,\" one participant said, calling accessibility a key concern.

- Ownership and partnership issues: Speakers noted that the square is not solely a city property and that county stakeholders must be involved; one commissioner observed the county and city relationship is \"fester[ing]\" and that any plaza project will need time and intergovernmental cooperation.

- Possible solutions: Ideas raised included replacing worn grass with hard‑surfaced pathways or pavers, improved drainage and irrigation, historically informed restoration of planting patterns, or using donor pavers to help fund design and construction. Some participants cautioned that removing trees or making major changes will require arborist input and sensitivity to the site’s historic character.

- Funding and complexity: Commissioners emphasized the need for design documents, phasing plans and funding before construction. Several speakers said a durable, accessible solution will be more expensive than a temporary fix, and a design process should precede any construction.

Ending

The commission agreed the plaza was a complex item requiring further study and intergovernmental discussion; members asked for arborist assessment, design concepts based on historic precedent and exploration of funding and partnership options before taking formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/12/25 Joint Planning Commission City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Participants at the March 12 joint meeting raised concerns about frequent damage to the courthouse square's lawn, accessibility for people using wheelchairs and unclear ownership, and discussed potential redesign options including pathways, pavers or historically informed restoration.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283992,"Commissioners consider tools used elsewhere to reduce vacant storefronts on St. Helens Main Street",373,3278670,3652369,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240&start=3278&end=3652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240/thumbnail_3278670.jpg","/articles/6283992/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commissioners-consider-tools-used-elsewhere-to-reduce-vacant-storefronts-on-St-Helens-Main-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283992-2c50fe6d90c53264b580d360714f06a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105612&Signature=eN3VtzJ-CmqyG684jUxf1X57ldA508NE~SjD3Rwgs3egh4pYfPXY-HuaHXJUU0UstDimWIOflAh7WaploeDZPAceTnNDC9Guo8Z13v~El7ix9clcRRoTQs-xfnmqW6Vfzn~kZRtL0eR8l7JbDtxHukNJ~rkE95VzfzsjmTquQGhbER~~SmKJd2w84nUjSDdRp5QopG51Zr0KDLH6GJbpf-N4gh96qJ5yPqATJl1P8I7nDTiATUot8OcyzuBb-uacfR2jZwDZbQHFUf~g7Sq7C7vheRlP8nAOYKedAaLUL6hrpK538YNZ8qSsQfUDtGR9ZtNEkBnTUas0b-4jqlLong__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning commissioners and councilors discussed strategies to address vacant and underused storefronts on March 12, 2025, reviewing examples from other Oregon and Washington cities and urging coordination with Main Street and the Chamber.

Why it matters: Participants said prolonged vacancy and neglected storefronts harm downtown appearance, affect neighboring businesses and reduce tourism appeal. The group explored registration and fee systems, maintenance standards for vacant properties, incentives and coordinated outreach to property owners.

Key points from the discussion

- Examples from elsewhere: Jacob and others cited King County practices that require storefront registration, fees, maintenance standards and penalties for prolonged vacancy. Participants also discussed Astoria, Hood River, Baker City, Prineville and Ridgefield as models for revitalization and design programs.

- Distinguishing vacancy and underuse: Several participants noted a practical difference between truly vacant buildings and properties that are underutilized or used for storage. That distinction matters for enforcement and incentives; one participant said some property owners will claim a space is in use even if it is not functioning as a storefront.

- Practical measures discussed: Ideas included a voluntary or mandatory registration for vacant storefronts, minimum maintenance standards (paint, clean windows), targeted outreach by Main Street to property owners, and using historic signage or window displays as interim treatments to improve aesthetics.

- Next steps: Participants asked staff and commissioners to re‑examine past Main Street inventories and to invite Main Street or regional peers to present their past work. One commissioner volunteered to reach out to Main Street to reinitiate coordination.

Ending

The group did not adopt any new rules at the meeting but agreed to revisit Main Street’s earlier inventory, seek presentations from Main Street and regional peers, and pursue coordinated outreach and research on registration and incentive models.","At a March 12 joint meeting, commissioners and councilors discussed a mix of enforcement, registration and incentive approaches to address downtown vacant and underutilized storefronts, and agreed to revisit Main Street’s prior inventory and invite Main Street representatives to present.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283997,"St. Helens planning commission and council discuss starting architectural standards with windows in historic district",3093,183974,3277205,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240&start=183&end=3277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2584404-4ea2c1a52b78de75a55d5651a4afd240/thumbnail_183974.jpg","/articles/6283997/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/St-Helens-planning-commission-and-council-discuss-starting-architectural-standards-with-windows-in-historic-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283997-207adda656695d2436dc39f24819016f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105612&Signature=Dybe7qKwpvVKoPvyTIxMvRYgO7iOP9Lp22P0cF05h8RBvtGpAt8zm8VJ~N~2aj-K9F5c3VxjOeWxv-i7CeMJWapFMxOuLzZMm4Eik4u4gJo7lDEbS~3guBuQ5YPTpjKVz8FBngAzy6soZG9kBEVQ-zqPU2OYOXKugRBR3CspLsC6MpfKMr8ydUlAnDxIztlbT0SBLU2SR20TGmrW70HjE1KvbmyktpfIBbwWqjlq-i~0wM5IBCi1eyX7HcjjbLUlpH5ASnDzCA0~0poKB3dIVgCfCfjB11D6wT4N-KJHG4P~E9VCVTWd3U3-1B500~xc~8iKwS8QdY3~2ZIBFL9tQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of St. Helens planning commissioners and councilors discussed a phased approach to architectural standards at a joint meeting on March 12, 2025, with an early focus on basic, objective rules for windows and doors in the Historic District and nearby commercial areas.

The two bodies agreed the first task is to define what they care about before writing detailed regulations. \"The first thing is what do you care about? We can worry about the regulations later,\" said Staff member Jacob, urging a step‑by‑step approach rather than tackling citywide requirements all at once.

Why it matters: Commissioners and councilors said design standards could prevent future infill and single‑family houses from clashing with the city's historic character and would give permit reviewers clearer, enforceable criteria. Several speakers said starting with a narrow set of requirements — for example, minimum window area or required trim around windows — would be simpler to implement and easier for builders to follow.

Discussion highlights

- Area to start: Multiple participants recommended focusing on the Downtown Historic District rather than the entire city. Commissioner Jennifer said, \"I would like to see us encompass the entire historic district\" rather than only the Riverfront District, and others urged starting small — Main Street and the Holden area were suggested as candidate zones to pilot standards.

- What to require first: Speakers repeatedly proposed beginning with windows and doors. \"Maybe that's all you focus on. One time windows... You decide you like windows,\" Jacob said, explaining that concentrating on features could yield progress. Participants suggested objective rules such as \"any wall facing a public street shall have at least one door or window of X size,\" a formulation described in the discussion as clear and enforceable.

- Relationship to existing rules: The Riverfront District already has mandatory design requirements that apply to mixed‑use buildings, but participants noted a gap in the code for single‑family and duplex development outside that district. One commissioner observed, \"Only for multifamily. There's nothing in there for single family dwellings or duplexes.\" Several speakers recommended using the Riverfront guidelines as a template, not a strict model.

- Enforcement and incentives: The group debated whether standards should be required or encouraged. Some participants cautioned that making requirements too strict could discourage builders; others emphasized that without requirements some builders will not adopt the standards voluntarily.

Next steps and capacity concerns

Commissioners agreed to add focused windows-and-doors conversations to future commission meetings and to gather photos and examples to guide objective standards. Staff and commissioners discussed doing simple, incremental design topics at successive meetings (e.g., windows at one meeting, doors at another) so the commission can build rules without large additional staffing.

Commissioner Trina Kingsbury was introduced at the meeting and welcomed as a new member who will participate in ongoing discussions.

Ending

The joint meeting concluded with agreement to pursue a staged program beginning with windows and doors in targeted areas, with further work sessions and example materials to be prepared for upcoming meetings.","City planning commissioners and councilors on March 12 discussed a staged approach to adopting architectural standards, recommending starting with clear, objective rules for windows and doors in the Historic District and select commercial areas rather than citywide requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners flag maintenance and access problems at the courthouse square; long-term redesign eyed

Commissioners consider tools used elsewhere to reduce vacant storefronts on St. Helens Main Street

St. Helens planning commission and council discuss starting architectural standards with windows in historic district