Culvert Project Will Help Reduce McGilchrist Flooding
Grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation could help the City of Salem design and build replacement culverts for the railroad and McGilchrist Street SE on the West Fork of Pringle Creek. The City Manager is seeking permission from the City Council to apply for the grants.
The project is important because the creek regularly overtops McGilchrist Street SE and floods undeveloped property to the northeast, prompting road closures up to four or five times a year. Improvements will meet fish passage requirements, add flow capacity and reduce flooding.
If successful, the grant could pay for about 80 percent of the project, or $3.2 million. The City’s 20 percent match is already planned for Phase 3 of the ongoing McGilchrist Street improvements.
Grants Could Aid Airport Projects
Two Critical Oregon Airport Relief grants could support federally funded capital improvements at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport:
$815,000 for Taxiway A Rehabilitation – Environmental and Design
$750,000 for Terminal Area Plan
Ninety percent of the projects’ $1.408 million cost will be paid for by the federal government. The City must provide a local match of $156,500 or 10%. The Airport Relief grants totaling $117,375 would offset 75% of the required match. Airport operating funds would pay for the rest.
Staff is seeking authorization to apply for the grants.
Public Hearing on Housing Code Amendment Sept. 9
On Monday, September 9, Salem City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed code amendment to promote housing development. The proposed code amendment encourages the development of a variety of housing types, implements changes in state rules and law, and makes other updates. Examples include:
Allowing adjustments to design standards and density requirements in several zones
Allowing single-family and two-family uses as part of mixed-use buildings in the mixed-use zones
Revising minimum densities in compliance with the State’s Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules
Allowing adjustments to special use standards for residential uses
Establishing a new administrative historic design review process for new housing construction and additions, and allowing adjustments to related design standards
