The City of North Plains is committed to creating business opportunities and improving the livability of our community, while also preserving our small-town charm. That’s why, thanks to a grant from the Oregon Departments of Transportation and Land Conservation and Development and their co-managed Transportation and Growth Management program, we’re working on a plan to strengthen and enhance downtown.
In April 2022, the City hosted an in-person open house and online survey to gather feedback from community members about initial concepts for downtown land use and transportation improvements. Building on that feedback, and on earlier project tasks, the City’s team has been working on and refining specific recommendations related to the design of Commercial Street, new street furnishings (lighting, benches, planters, etc), downtown business development, ideas for re-purposing underused buildings, and amendments to the North Plains Development Code.
At its meeting #3 on January 31, 2023, the Downtown Plan project advisory committee (PAC) considered and discussed the plan recommendations for business, infrastructure, and code improvements. The next steps will include a work session with the Planning Commission in March, followed by a work session with the City Council.
The goal is to have the plan ready for adoption by City Council in April. Once adopted, we will begin planning a timeline for implementation. The City recently brought on an AmeriCorps RARE Volunteer, Doug Kean, to help implement the plan recommendations.
Sign up for our project email list to stay updated on the progress and upcoming opportunities to participate!
See more details on this project below.
The North Plains Downtown Improvement Plan (NPDIP) is focused on the City’s downtown area, generally bounded on the north by NW Wascoe Street, on the east by NW Glencoe Road, on the south by NW Cottage Street, and on the west by NW Gordon Road.
The goal is to create a plan that helps to encourage mixed-use development and diverse housing types, multi-modal transport options, and a more welcoming Main Street that contributes to community livability and economic development. The plan will:
- Identify ways to support and enhance existing and potential future new businesses;
- Identify potential site-specific development options for vacant parcels;
- Create downtown ‘gateway’ elements such as signage;
- Enhance multimodal safety including for pedestrians and bicycles ;
- Reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions through active transportation solutions;
- Establish a more cohesive look and feel for the area.
It will also include needed changes to the City’s development code, suggested transportation and other improvement projects, and other implementation strategies.
The City has used a variety of methods, described below, to ensure that North Plains community members were informed about the process and have opportunities to weigh in with their thoughts and suggestions.
Project Advisory Committee. The City has appointed a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) to help guide the process. Committee members listed below represent a variety of community organizations and interests:
- Mayor Teri Lenahan
- Stewart King, Planning Commission Chair & TriStar Properties
- Lisa Beutler, Economic Development Committee Vice Chair
- Tim Schallic, North Plains Library Board
- Cindy Hirst, Chamber of Commerce Board Secretary (also representing Senior Plaza)
- Kim Haughn, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
- Bertony Faustin, Abbey Creek Winery
- Nikki Robinson, Robinson's LTD
- Cindy Ertell, Oregon Coffee Roasters
- Dan Van Dyke, Van Dyke Grain
The committee has met at key junctures during the process to review and provide comments on the analysis and recommendations being developed by City staff and its consultant team led by Angelo Planning Group. See below for meeting documents.
Community open houses. Two community meetings/online open houses were held during the NPDIP process to provide updates on the project’s progress and receive feedback and ideas.
This Project Webpage. The City will continue to maintain and periodically update this webpage with information about the project including:
- a schedule of meetings;
- access to project memos, maps, reports and presentation materials;
- links to other online activities.
Stakeholder Meetings. The project team conducted a series of one-on-one or small group interviews with key project stakeholders including community members, business owners and subject matter experts identified by City staff. The interviews will help identify the stakeholders’ desired outcomes for the project and will inform the analysis of existing conditions in the study area.
Meetings with community organizations. The City met with local groups upon request to discuss and solicit feedback on project findings, recommendations, and priorities.
Social media and other communication tools. The City has and will continue to share information and increase community awareness about the project through:
- The City of North Plains Facebook page;
- The MyNorthPlains app;
- The North Plains Connected monthly print newsletter;
- The monthly North Plains E-Connect e-newsletter, and
- A dedicated project email list – sign up here to receive project news and opportunities directly in your inbox.
None at this time.
Past Meetings
January 31, 2023 -
Downtown Improvement Plan PAC meetingApril 12, 2022 - 5-7 pm - Downtown Improvement Plan Open House #2.
September 23 - October 17, 2021: Online Downtown Planning Project Open House
Community members were invited to join our first online Downtown Planning Project Open House to learn more and share thoughts through an online survey. Thank you to all who participated and provided input.
See a snapshot of the results here.
Project DocumentsProject Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting Materials will be posted here as available throughout the process.
January 20, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM PAC Meeting Documents:
Other DocumentsProject memos, reports, and other work products will be posted here (bottom of page) as available throughout the process.
Have a question? Contact us.For more information about the study, please contact Finance Director Bill Reid at
bill.reid@northplains.org or 503.647.5555.
Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow
Downtown North Plains PAC Meeting @ Senior Center
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 - 5:30pm
Add to your calendar5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
North Plains Senior Center
31450 NW Commercial Street
DirectionsNorth Plains Senior Center
31450 NW Commercial St
North Plains, OR 97133
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