Joint Meeting of City of Fitchburg Committee of the Whole and Village Board of Oregon

This joint meeting on December 25, 2026 convened to discuss a study by the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) regarding future development in the southeastern part of Fitchburg near the Village of Oregon. CARPC's Jason Valerius presented findings from stakeholder listening sessions, highlighting broad alignment on key issues and outlining next steps toward an intergovernmental agreement.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Jason Valerius (CARPC): Valerius explained the study's purpose: to consider future land uses in the area between the highway interchange and the Fitchburg-Oregon border. Stakeholders included staff, elected officials from both communities, public landowners (Department of Corrections, school district), and private landowners.
• Development Interest: Private landowners' interest ranged from "willing to consider" to "yes, as soon as possible." The Department of Corrections is building a youth detention facility in 2026 (groundbreaking planned for 2026) and intends to continue farming its remaining acreage with no interest in selling or further development. The school district plans a middle school on its site in the 2030s, with potential for athletic fields built earlier through partnerships.
• Land Use Preferences: Most favored uses included offices, mixed-use, sporting facilities, light industry, a hotel near the highway, and a quick trip convenience store (mentioned by multiple stakeholders). Least favored uses included heavy industry, multi-tenant retail, large-scale residential (due to higher emergency service calls), low-density residential, self-storage, quarries, vape shops, car dealerships, car washes, and other low-value uses. Income-qualified housing was noted as not ideal due to lack of transit.
• Design & Gateway: Both communities agreed the area is a gateway to the village and should have attractive design – tree-lined boulevard, quality materials, and building orientation toward the highway. The village desires a voice in land use decisions. A shared overlay zoning ordinance was proposed, to be administered by the city.
• Utilities: The village has a standpipe and water pipe already in place in the study area. A water loop is being planned with the Department of Corrections. For sewer, a new gravity-fed line from the Braun Road pump station could serve most of the area; only the eastern corner near the highway would require a lift station. Cost recovery for offsite improvements will need a mechanism in the intergovernmental agreement.
• Other Public Services: Emergency services (first response) likely would come from the village, with follow-up handled by the city. Street maintenance would be performed by the village and billed to the city. A potential joint emergency services district could simplify arrangements. The village is pursuing a transportation planning grant for public transit, and a park-and-ride facility was suggested for the area, possibly at 14 and M.
• Timing Considerations: The city’s comprehensive plan update is underway and expected to land in 2028, likely incorporating this area. The school district’s middle school would require planning starting around 2028. The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is the first priority, with a goal of completion in about a year.
• Concerns Raised: Alders and trustees expressed concerns about timeline, potential turnover of elected officials, unforeseen edge cases, and the need to preserve high-quality farmland. Alders noted that the area is not family farmland (surrounded by railroad, highway, and a youth prison) and that codifying the utility extension boundary would help address public concerns. There was strong support for maintaining momentum and continuing CARPC’s involvement.

Key Outcomes

• Shared Support for Proceeding: Both bodies expressed strong alignment and support for moving forward with an intergovernmental agreement. The next practical step is formation of a joint working group (staff and/or elected officials) to begin drafting a memorandum of understanding and ultimately an IGA.
• Continued CARPC Involvement: Alders requested that CARPC continue facilitating the process, citing its organizational value and expertise in boundary agreements. Jason Valerius indicated openness to this, noting it would involve periodic meeting attendance rather than a major time commitment.
• Motion to Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM following a unanimous voice vote.