Gazette-Times reporter

Proponents of Seventh Street Station, a residential and mixed-use commercial development proposed for the vacant railroad yard south of Western Boulevard, call it urban infill, the definition of smart planning.

But opponents, many of whom are residents nearby say the 91-unit development will increase traffic hazards, parking congestion and create a “huge monotonous” eyesore next to historic neighborhoods.

Three years ago former owners Gene and Noreen Dickerhoof made public plans for the seven acres of land in downtown Corvallis. The ensuing debate has pitted neighborhood livability against private property rights and affordable housing.

The Dickerhoofs sold the property in January. The new owners, Seventh Street Stations LLC of Salem, could not be reached for comment.

On Wednesday night, the Corvallis Planning Commission will take up the detailed development plans after approving a zoning change and conceptual design for the site back in 2003.

In anticipation of a large audience, the meeting has been moved to LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University. A decision is expected at the planning commission’s May 10 meeting.

When last debated, the benefit of allowing housing on vacant land within the city was found to outweigh the concerns raised by residents, who challenged the decisions to the City Council.

Now the city’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board has joined the protest, asking officials to force developers to minimize the impacts on the adjacent historic Avery Helms Historic District.

In an April 12 letter from the preservation board, chairman Max Geier wrote that preservationists are concerned about streetscapes and viewsheds that will be affected if Seventh Street Station is built.

“Board members are concerned that the eastern portion of the project should not overwhelm the streetscape of that western edge of the historic district. The board asks that the planning commission consider how the massing, scale and setbacks of the proposed development will affect the neighborhood setting …

“The board, therefore, asks that the planning commission consider ways in which that impact might be mitigated during this early planning stage of the proposed project.”

The city’s planning department has recommended approval of the plans for Seventh Street Station, with conditions to mitigate neighborhood impacts.

Associate city planner Eric Adams said the developer has made changes to the plans since 2003, most notably the type of housing proposed. Plans are to build 86 dwellings as three-story rowhouses, and 13 detached, single-family homes.

There would also be four free-standing buildings closest to Western Boulevard that would have commercial space on the ground floor and residential units upstairs.

At a glance

WHAT: Corvallis Planning Commission hearing on Seventh Street Station, a residential and mixed-use commercial development proposed for downtown Corvallis

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St.

INFORMATION: Corvallis Planning Department, 766-6908. The staff report can be reviewed or checked out at the planning office, 501 S.W. Madison Ave., reviewed at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave., or viewed and downloaded at the city’s Web site, www.ci.corvallis.or.us, click on “departments” heading, then the “planning division” link under “community development” and select “land-use public hearing dates and staff reports.”