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The developers of a proposed $185 million waterfront project in Oregon City are working with environmentalists to advance their plans to build hundreds of condominiums and apartments.

The city’s urban renewal commission on Wednesday night voted unanimously to push the developers’ land-use applications through to be processed by Oregon City staffers. But that step comes after several delays for the Cove proposal, and developers Ed Darrow and Randy Tyler pleaded with the commissioners to keep the project moving.

鈥淲e’re really running out of time,鈥� Darrow said at the meeting, noting that potential project partners were starting to ask why a deal wasn’t being made. 鈥淎t this point we really need to move the project forward.鈥�

On Oct. 5, the commission slowed the land-use application process by requesting Darrow and Tyler of Pacific Properties Search LLC to present a revised plan for tree removal and grading on the 92-acre Cove site.

On Wednesday night, the developers unveiled their plan. They had invited several interested parties 鈥� commissioners, a habitat biologist from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and members of the Heritage Waters Habitat Task Force 鈥� to tour the site. ODFW biologist Elizabeth Ruther wrote a report that included some recommendations.

鈥淭he report was very positive,鈥� Tyler said. 鈥淪he wasn’t wearing a big regulatory hat and acknowledges that development will go forward.鈥�

At the meeting, Jerry Herrmann and Bryon Boyce, co-chairmen of the Heritage Waters Habitat Task Force, implored the commission to move the project forward. Since April, the task force has consulted with Tyler about environmental concerns about different iterations of the site plan.

鈥淭hey’ve been willing to listen and consider other alternatives, and we are really appreciative of that fact,鈥� Herrmann said. 鈥淲e don’t want to see (the project) held up because of us; we want it to move forward.鈥�

Tyler framed the project’s inclusion of environmentalists as the 鈥渘ew paradigm鈥� for development. Environmental stakeholders are now welcomed into the planning process 鈥� and those with expertise are invited to contribute.

鈥淭he developers have shown interest and good faith in amending the landscaping plans to meet the needs of the community and restore the habitat around the cove,鈥� city manager David Frasher said.

Commissioner Jim Nicita expressed concern that some tree removal would decrease shading important to the cove’s habitat, and requested additional review of that issue. The commission decided to incorporate specific concerns into the motion to approve the tree removal and grading plans so as not to delay the application any further.

The approval will allow legal staffers to begin work necessary for a development agreement to be negotiated with the commission.

Tyler and Darrow hope to begin construction in April 2012 for the first phase, which includes 204 condos instead of 210 apartments scheduled previously. Tyler cited economic reasons for the switch.

鈥淭here’s just no money available for condo construction right now, but there is money to do an apartment project,鈥� he said.

The team plans to build to condo standards, lease the units as apartments for a couple of years, and then flip them to condos when the market turns around.

The developers are focusing mainly on starting residential construction, although the fate of the rest of the site continues to draw speculation. Tyler said Concordia University has expressed interest in occupying as much as 100,000 square feet of the site, but university spokeswoman Madeline Turnock said no advanced plans exist.

Wisconsin-based , a company that helps businesses strategize plans for growth, also has expressed interest in the site. The company asked to be placed on the city commission’s upcoming agenda, according to Frasher.

鈥淲e have multiple interests in the site, but we also have a long-standing partnership with PPS on the Cove,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 imagine the city will have to see a pretty compelling set of circumstances to change course 鈥� although all options are still on the table.鈥�