Council meeting - 2026-01-08
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Metro Council approved a $5 million Housing Production Accelerator Fund using construction excise tax reserves to speed housing development across the region. The council also approved a $360,000 planning grant to the City of Gresham for the Springwater District zoning updates and adopted the 2026 state legislative agenda. Additionally, two easements were approved for the Metro South Transfer Station property in Oregon City to enable occupancy of a new administrative building.
Key Decisions (5)
Housing Production Accelerator Fund Creation
Resolution 25-5540 approved directing the COO to create a Housing Production Accelerator Fund with $5 million from construction excise tax reserves to support five activities: predevelopment support and technical assistance, expanding Metro's Brownfield grant program, supporting local housing production strategies, broader technical assistance, and exploring regional land banking strategies.
Metro South Transfer Station Easements
Resolution 26-5545 authorized the COO to execute two easements with the City of Oregon City: a public utility easement along Metro's southern frontage for future dry utilities, and a private stormwater facility easement allowing city inspection of on-site stormwater facilities. Required for occupancy permits for new Metro South administrative building.
Gresham Springwater District Planning Grant
Resolution 26-5546 approved $360,000 in 2040 Planning and Development Grant funding to the City of Gresham for zoning code updates and comprehensive plan map designations in the Springwater District, implementing strategies from a 2023 grant. Total 2025 calendar year funding reached approximately $2.5 million.
2026 State Legislative Agenda Adoption
Resolution 26-5554 adopted Metro's legislative principles and priorities for the 2026 short session, including serial communications clarification, food and beverage compensation exceptions, protecting critical services from budget cuts, housing and homelessness stability, urban growth management, transportation package support, battery extended producer responsibility, and speculative ticketing ban.
Council Organization and Committee Confirmation
Resolution 26-5560 on consent agenda organized the Metro Council and confirmed committee members, including recognition of Councilor Duncan Huang as new Deputy Council President.
Zoning Changes (1)
Springwater District, Gresham
City of Gresham
Development Activity (2)
Metro South Administrative Building
New administrative building for Metro staff nearing completion, anticipated occupancy in 2026. Required two easements from City of Oregon City for occupancy permits.
Springwater District Redevelopment
Zoning code updates and comprehensive plan map designations to support housing and business development. Continuation of 2023 planning grant work. District plan is over 20 years old.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Governor of Oregon declared housing and homelessness crisis with goal of producing 36,000 new homes statewide per year through 2033, indicating significant regional housing shortage.
Infrastructure
Local jurisdictions across the region lack sufficient planning staff, permitters, and inspectors to process development applications, creating bottlenecks in housing production.
Sentiment
Staff noted the region is in a recession with significant unknowns affecting developer interest and financing availability for new projects.
Infrastructure
Governor announced three-part transportation funding plan to redirect, repeal (HB 3991), and rebuild transportation funding, with ODOT facing operations and maintenance funding crisis.
Commercial Demand
Portland Trail Blazers expected to seek state funding support for Moda Center during short legislative session, following precedent of Hillsboro Hops and Metro League Baseball support.