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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIssue List 052412Issue Identification Issue Identification This section summarizes the land use issues identified by South County residents, property owners, and other stakeholders during a five-month intensive public engagement process. Based on a variety of public participatory techniques that included an informal survey, open houses, stakeholder discussions, and phone interviews, and focus groups, over 70 issues have been raised to date. These issues are listed below. SOUTH COUNTY AREA PLAN – 2012 TO 2032 1 Issue Identification Land Use and Economic Development Support South County representation at Economic Development for Central Oregon Establish a South County economic and/or tourism board Explore opportunities for an intergovernmental agreement with Klamath County for revenue sharing to address regional issues Explore opportunities with Central Oregon Community College for adult learning opportunities in La Pine Promote economic development opportunities in La Pine, including the industrial park Promote commercial and industrial development in La Pine and Sunriver Promote opportunities for neighborhood commercial uses Invest in programs that promote job creation for adults and teenagers Establish a 24-hour health care facility in La Pine Extend and improve internet service throughout the region Permit small destination resorts Reinvest proceeds derived from the Neighborhood Planning Area located in La Pine into future improvements for the city or South County that include, but are not limited to roads, parks, open space development and maintenance, public buildings, and on-site and off-site water and wastewater facilities Explore opportunities to acquire, develop or transfer high groundwater lots Revise the Transferable Development Credit program given the current local economics Ensure zoning codes, including height restrictions are business friendly Reconcile those areas that experience property line disputes or code enforcement issues such as Section 36 Table 11 - Issue Identification (continued) Land Use and Economic Development Collaborate with the Ford Foundation which currently provides leadership training with small, rural communities to assist in implementation Provide services for an aging population Provide more opportunities for senior housing Support La Pine Comprehensive Plan Balance growth while retaining the rural character of South County Natural Resources and Natural Hazards Involve the community in developing solutions for improvements to wildlife habitat, water quality and water quantity Provide outreach and education materials to raise awareness about natural resource issues Define and protect channel migration zones Protect wildlife habitat, including wetlands and floodplains Retain and increase native fish populations Explore opportunities for wetland mitigation banking to protect wetlands Improve and stabilize Upper Deschutes River stream flow Engage property owners about the benefits of improving stream flow on the Upper Deschutes Protect surface and groundwater quality Support the leadership of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in working with the community to address groundwater protection issues Collaborate with the community to expand the range of tools available to protect groundwater quality by reviewing new technologies Support amendment to state regulations to permit centralized sewer systems in areas with high levels of existing or potential development or identified water quality concerns Expedite actions such as legislative amendments allowing sewers or similar infrastructure if a public hazard is declared in rural Deschutes County, Continue evaluating means to reduce nitrate loading from on-site wastewater systems by exploring innovative on-site sewage treatment and disposal technology, retrofitting of existing substandard or inappropriately located disposal systems, expansion of sewer systems, or other measures Control and maintain livestock manure on-site to protect water quality Reduce the threat of wildfire hazards 2 SOUTH COUNTY AREA PLAN – 2012 TO 2032 SOUTH COUNTY AREA PLAN – 2012 TO 2032 3 Table 11 - Issue Identification (continued) Natural Resources and Natural Hazards Require absentee property owners to maintain defensible space to minimize their risk and their neighbor’s risk to wildfire hazards Consider adopting an ordinance that requires absentee landowners to manage their properties with defensible space so they are not at risk to the threat of wildfire Inform residents when defensible space and Community Wildfire Protection Plans are being implemented Expand the Upper Deschutes River Coalition boundary to include the entire South County area Prevent the proliferation of invasive weeds Maintain rural neighborhoods with plenty of open space Coordinate with federal and state land management agencies and environmental non- governmental organizations Transportation Collaborate with Oregon Department of Transportation and City of La Pine to address pedestrian and vehicle crossing issues and access along Highway 97 Provide roads with adequate right-of-way for bicycling Expand public transit opportunities Explore partnerships that allow for constructing and paving local roads Establish more park and ride lots near Highway 97 and State Recreation Road Establish partnerships with road districts to improve and maintain roads that serve as primary thoroughfares to other neighborhoods or provide egress for emergencies Increase connectivity in such places as Lazy River South Maintain and improve egress Establish bike shoulders on Huntington Road Pave sections of Foster Road, Huntington Road, and Pine Crest Improve Forest Service Road 41 from Sunriver to the Inn at 7th Mountain Discourage biking on Highway 97 Table 11 - Issue Identification (continued) Recreation and Other Promote La Pine as a tourist destination separate from Sunriver Expand the La Pine Park and Recreation District into the Three Rivers area Explore opportunities for Deschutes County to provide park services for those areas in South County not served by a park and recreation district Provide additional parks and trails Explore opportunities to acquire, develop or transfer high groundwater lots for open space, recreational and economic development purposes Establish more pathways along river corridors Establish a trail system that links Sunriver to La Pine Improve river access along the Little Deschutes and Deschutes rivers Improve and expand parking at Maxwell Veterans Memorial Bridge, a common access point for the Little Deschutes River Improve river access at Harper Bridge Expand recreational opportunities for the disabled Establish community greenhouses Promote food self-sufficiency Expand recycling centers in South County Improve communication with the Board of County Commissioners and their staff by regularly attending or hosting meetings in South County so residents gain a better understanding of any emerging issues taking place in the region Provide internet links to other South County organizations on Deschutes County’s own website Protect the outdoors and South County’s small town feeling Engage residents who do not maintain the appearance of their property since it can reduce property values in a neighborhood Maintain a network of neighborhood, homeowner associations, community organizations and similar groups Educate new residents moving into South County about rural lifestyles and lower levels of public services Protect property rights Pursue self-sufficiency with minimal government or neighborhood interaction Recognize the minimal role of government in South County when compared to a municipality 4 SOUTH COUNTY AREA PLAN – 2012 TO 2032