The Hermiston City Council on Monday annexed 6.5 acres of land that will be used to develop a residential subdivision.
The land, located on W. Highland Avenue directly south of the Pioneer RV Park and Gotta Stop, is owned by John Steinbeck who plans to sell it to Castle Homes. The council began annexation proceedings back in March.
Tom Longley of Castle Homes told the council that the homes will provide single-family, affordable housing for a growing labor market.
“We’re trying to capture the folks with new employment in Boardman,” Longley said. The plan calls for the development of 28 houses with a price range of $130,000 to $155,000. The average lot size will be between 6,800 and 7,000 square feet.
Hermiston City Councilor Rod Hardin asked Longley if he had any plans in the future to build apartments on the lot.
“We have no intention of doing anything else other than what’s been presented,” Longley said.
Also at Monday’s city council meeting, Hispanic Advisory Committee Chairman Eddie de la Cruz gave the council a recap of the Cinco de Mayo celebration. The event was the first one sponsored and supported by the city of Hermiston. Well over 1,000 people turned out for the day-long party.
“I’m so grateful that everything went perfect,” de la Cruz said. He personally thanked Parks and Recreation Director Larry Fetter, who de la Cruz said, “went the extra mile.” He also thanked City Councilor George Anderson for his support.
“He’s given us so much of his time and personally raised about $8,000 of our $15,000 budget,” de la Cruz said.
Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann said he was impressed by the massive turnout in downtown Hermiston for Cinco de Mayo.
“You did a phenomenal job,” Drotzmann said. “I was very impressed with your leadership. Your only problem is it’s going to get bigger – and that’s a good problem to have.”
In other council business:
• Blackline Inc., was awarded the contract to lay slurry seal on sections of 28 Hermiston streets totaling 4.5 miles. The project will cost the city $125,800.
• Wilbur Fletcher Inc., won a $197,000 contract to recoat the interior surface of the city well on N.E. Fourth St.
• The council approved funding for a $20,000 Economic Development Water Resources Impact Study. The money comes from the city’s transient room tax. The study’s intention is to shed light on how Hermiston can better market itself as a leader in agri-business and create new jobs. It is also hoped that the study’s results will persuasively show that by accessing more water from the Columbia River, Hermiston can attract new industry.
• The council proclaimed May 12-18 to be National Police Week “to honor those currently serving and the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy.”
• Proclaimed May 19-25 to be Parenting Education Awareness Week “to promote the importance and value of parenting education to the public and encourage all community members to join in this observation which honors the important work that parents do, helping them to gain skills and strategies as well as realistic expectations for themselves and their child.”
• The council confirmed the appointment of Ron Linn to the Airport Advisory Committee.
