HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-09 - Planning Commission Minutes1
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MINUTES
DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER
1300 NW WALL STREET, BEND, OREGON, 97701
AUGUST 9, 2012 — 5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Bill Rainey. Members present were Vice
Chair Chris Brown, Ed Criss, James Powell and Hugh Palcic. Absent: Todd Turner and
Matt Lisignoli. Nick Lelack, Planning Director; Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner; Terri
Hansen Payne, Senior Planner; and Sher Buckner, Administrative Secretary.
Minutes of March 8, April 12 and April 26, 2012 were approved.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
111. WORK SESSION AND RECOMMENDATION: LA PINE URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY
— Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner; Steve Hasson, La Pine City Manager; Karen
Swirsky, DLCD Regional Representative.
Commissioner Palcic and Peter discussed Exhibit A, which acknowledges that we are
repealing Ordinance 2010-008 (this was attached even though it will be deleted).
Commissioner Powell said he wondered why this was a valid decision and did not get that
from the ordinance. The documents sent later in the day today contained better
explanations, but he still does not see this clearly reflected in 2012-011. He and Peter
discussed providing clearer context in the ordinances. Peter said that DLCD has been
working to provide stronger justification; Nick said that the process in Bend attempts to
comply with Goal 14 but this one is an exception to Goal 14.
Deborah McMann, a consultant with the City of La Pine, testified that they have been to
the Board and LCDC, and both groups have visited La Pine and read the materials but still
felt there needed to be more justification and boundary analysis review, besides a Goal 14
exception. The historical settlement patterns, the history with the urban unincorporated
community (UUC), etc., are all being reviewed as part of the process. Deborah submitted
Quality Services Performed with Pride
a zoning map and discussed the analysis for proposing that the urban growth boundary be
larger than the UUC. Nick asked about one of the findings and whether it is a typical or
safe assumption (30% of land for public right-of-way and open space uses). Deborah said
it is a case-by-case basis, and because their TSP is not complete they do not have a grid
to narrow down for understanding how much physical land is needed for the right-of-way.
Chair Rainey and Deborah discussed the creation of an urban area reserve so that the
urban growth boundary would be smaller. They have discussed it publicly and with their
Planning Commission, but it is 180 degrees from where the public wants to go. Chair
Rainey asked if there was any opposition to the currently proposed boundary, and
Deborah and Karen Swirsky of DLCD both said there was not. Nick thought that 30% was
a conservative number if it also included parks, and Deborah agreed. Deborah said also
that the school district has indicated it does not need any new schools for 20 years.
Commissioner Criss and Deborah reviewed the city limits being larger than the urban
growth boundary and the problems with sewer if that happened. Commissioner Criss said
he was concerned about the urban growth boundary being set smaller than the
incorporated area. Deborah spoke about choices given to them by LCDC and their
decision to use the exception process.
Nick and Chair Rainey discussed whether the Commissioners wanted to make a motion to
recommend this to the Board although it is not technically necessary.
Motion: Commissioner Criss motioned to recommend to the Board the modification of the
urban growth boundary as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Palcic.
Discussion: Commissioner Powell wanted to clarify that this recommendation is not
language specific; Nick said that they are not technically recommending the language in
the ordinance. Peter said that the findings, Exhibit C, are now complete with 60 pages as
opposed to what we sent to the Commissioners last week.
Motion passed.
Commissioner Powell said that this is what land use planning should be — a practical
solution to a situation that has been in place a long time. Deborah also clarified that the
thanks should go to DLCD which helped the community with the Goal 14 exception and
were wonderful to work with.
IV. SOUTH COUNTY PLAN UPDATE — Terri Hansen Payne, Senior Planner.
Terri gave an update on the most recent meetings and resident responses regarding
which goals and policies people considered important. Commissioner Palcic said he sat in
on both meetings and the exercise worked well. There were also some misconceptions
that were cleared up.
Terri said that there has been a lot of discussion as to what the County's role should be —
people in La Pine did not want the County to facilitate anything. There was a suggestion
that County lands be maintained as open space to protect wildlife. We had a policy about
marketing the area as Three Rivers and Newberry Country and La Pine, but people did not
want them to be separate. There was also a suggestion that we partner with DEQ rather
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than supporting them. Some real estate agents from the area wanted to be more
coordinated with Bend than La Pine. High-speed internet is a big issue but Bend
Broadband will be upgrading it soon. There was also a request that we consider flooding,
and in the past we had had policies regarding low flows but not high river levels.
Terri described the process for reviewing and refining public comments for possible
inclusion in the final draft for the public hearing. Vice Chair Brown asked if there had been
suggestions for names other than "South County," since that had been brought up in the
past. Terri said that residents actually seem to prefer "South County," but perhaps a
tagline "Heart of Newberry Country," might also be used. Peter said there had been
strong feelings expressed at the community meetings for unification and collaboration.
Peter discussed ways to inform the public about the public hearing, and Nick said the
Commissioners may want to go through the entire draft Plan at the August 30 meeting.
Nick and the Commissioners reviewed the timetable for the Plan and the Board's
schedule. Chair Rainey questioned why the Planning Commission would be reviewing the
Plan after it is scheduled to go before the Board. Peter and Nick discussed other items
coming up on the work plan in the fall and Terri's departure from the County which will
reduce staffing capabilities.
V. TRAINING: DESIGNING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES EPISODE 1 (DVD). The
Commissioners decided to watch the DVD at their homes.
VI. PLANNING COMMISSION & STAFF COMMENTS
Nick said the Oregon Planning Institute registration is $205 for all three days in
September. On Monday the Board took a big step in approving the Improvement
Agreement for Tetherow. Chair Rainey mentioned the preparedness fair coming up in
Sisters in September.
VII. ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sher Buckner
Administrative Secretary
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