Welcome to “In the Works,” a new feature for this new iteration of the Hermiston Herald.

Over the years I’ve reported on new businesses when they’ve opened, new construction projects when the groundbreaking happened or new subdivisions when they city council votes to approve their zoning. But with this new column I’m hoping to provide provide Hermiston residents with information about projects that are still in the very earliest of phases, giving people a sneak peek at economic development in the months and years ahead.

For the column, I’ll be checking up on planning commission meetings, building permits, business filings with the Oregon Secretary of State’ Office and other resources, but I’m hoping that readers will be a source of information and ideas as well. Did you hear from a credible source that a long-empty commercial building was just purchased? Have you noticed that someone is laying pipes in an empty lot down the street from your house? Do you know someone who is putting together a business plan for a new restaurant? Let me know and I’ll look into it.

For this week, I’ll start with a look at building permits issued in Hermiston in March.

In March, the city of Hermiston issued eight building permits. Four of those were for new homes, going up at 938 S.W. Coyote Dr. (for $328,678), 1475 E. Hurlburt Ave. ($218,850), 1547 E. Hurlburt Ave. ($250,165) and 1323 E. Newport Ave. ($218,850).

Those joined seven new homes permitted in February and three in January.

A look at actions of Hermiston’s planning commission over the past few months indicate more homes will likely be on the way.

In March, the commission approved the final plat for Phase 2 of Cimmaron Terrace. The phase will be comprised of 38 new homes located on the southeast corner of Northeast Eighth Street and East Theater Lane. The homes will have an average price of $275,000, according to documentation submitted to the commission.

In February, the commission voted to recommend approval of the annexation of 20 acres off of East Punkin Center and Northeast Fourth Street, which the city council then approved in March. MonteVista Homes plans to create a subdivision with 100 single-family homes, a multi-use trail and a public park.

In December, the commission approved a conditional use permit for Santiago Communities Inc. to construct a 200-space manufactured home park on property north of East Diagonal Boulevard and west of Northeast 10th Street.

In November, the city council approved annexation and zoning changes recommended by the planning commission in order to allow a subdivision that would include 25 acres of “moderate” single-family homes, plus 45 units of duplexes and triplexes for senior residents, walking trails and a few commercial businesses. The subdivision, which would be developed by Lloyd and Lois Piercy, would be located on 36 acres at the intersection of Elm Avenue and Diagonal Road.

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Jade McDowell is the editor of the Hermiston Herald and has covered economic development in Hermiston since 2013.