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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-08 - Planning Commission Minutess N� ���--�.: Community Development Department � ^ . Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Health Division 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925 (541)388=6575 FAX(541)385-1764 http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/ MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION SUNRIVER HOMEOWNERS AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTER 57250 OVERLOOK ROAD, SUNRIVER, OREGON NOVEMBER 8, 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, James Powell, Matt Lisignoli, Ed Criss and Hugh Palcic. Absent: Todd Turner. Staff present were Nick Lelack, Planning Director; Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner; and Sher Buckner, Administrative Secretary. Minutes of September 27 and October 11, 2012 were approved. II. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. III. PUBLIC HEARING (continued): Newberry Country — A Plan for South County — Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner. Peter gave a PowerPoint summary of the process to date. Public Testimony: Ellen Currie was concerned about the determination of priorities. She wondered if the Planning Commission could recommend to the Board that they establish a process taking into account the different needs of the areas' populations. She is concerned that there is grant money that flows through the County for COIC for public transportation, and there was a decision to eliminate public transportation for anyone outside of La Pine. We have a lot of disabled people, senior citizens that need to get to doctors' appointments, etc., and all of the people in the County have a right to some service. They can deal with a reduction in service but it should be fair for the whole County and there should be some criteria. Ellen also said she appreciated all of the work of the Planning Commission. Wendell Evers questioned how tax dollars for residents of South Deschutes County are being spent by COIC. He mentioned requesting documents showing budgets, grants and reports Quality Services Performed with Pride and has received quite a bit of information but no grant information. He submitted an invoice from COIC. He is concerned about Policy 10.1 and would like to remove the word "support" as it relates to COIC and replace it with "collaborate" with a 501(c)(3) to provide transportation to people who need it. The services were discontinued based on use in August, but other months were not considered. We need to work with a nonprofit instead of COIC and some of the citizens here should be on their Board. Redmond is too far away for transportation Anne Gregersen also spoke about transportation and would like to see COIC removed. They have an economic shortfall and are incompetent; winter is approaching and she cannot drive; and she feels COIC is not transparent and open to the public — they are opaque. Frank Brocker commended the Planning Commission on its process and the number of meetings held. He asked about expediting and carrying out the goals now. We have good ideas on paper, but how will they be realized? He hopes the caring attitude and openness continue. Peter Gutowsky said that the Planning Commission will make a recommendation and there will be a hearing process with the Board this winter. If the Plan is adopted, there are steps that will take place to help in its adoption. Every spring the Planning Division goes through a public process for its work plan, so that is one aspect. Once the Plan is adopted, we will probably distill the goals and policies and make them available to the partnering organizations such as the Upper Deschutes River Coalition, state planning groups, the La Pine Park District, etc., so they are aware of what the public has said. They will also let their opinions be known to the Board and a work plan will be identified. Dave Thormahlen said he and his wife just got involved with this during the last meeting in La Pine. He has lived here for eight years. How will recreation along the river be developed, and is there anything down the road where the County will be involved with weeding some of the willows out where they are too thick? What will be going on along the Little Deschutes? He also asked about the concept of vacation rentals in the area. They have a large house and would like to know if they can rent out part of it? Peter said Policy 17.1 underscores the importance of improving access to the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers. We heard from residents that they would like to take advantage of this extraordinary resource. We do not have Parks and Recs Departments so we tried to underscore the importance of collaborating with the Park District and those groups. Nick Lelack said that the County does not regulate vacation rentals by owners, but be aware of the lodging tax. If it were to expand into a bed and breakfast, a permit would be required. Jerry Criss said it has been six years since the Citizens Action Group was formed and this Plan is what came out of it. As issues came up, people here indicated that they wanted to be more self sufficient. Are we classified as a rural area outside the City of La Pine? Nick said yes. Jerry thought that if we are classified as a rural commercial area, there would be more range to deal with the groundwater issues specifically, and he would like to have that considered. We are really an urban area with big lots and a diverse community. A commercial part of that would help some residents who are hurting to be able to set up a little shop of some type without a lot of inconvenience. He would like to see some plan or a way to go about the groundwater issue for the future. It will always be here, and if this was downtown Bend, it would be an infrastructure problem. But it has been made an individual problem here. We don't have the money to jump at it, but perhaps we could do something about it in 10-20 years. We have time to make this an infrastructure issue, and there is more 2 money available if we do. The fire protection issue is a big one in this area. He has seen where programs work and where they don't, and this needs to be up in the priority list. Jerry also thanked the Commissioners and staff for their work. Carl Jensen, President of the Upper Deschutes River Coalition, said that there are 12,000 acres of private lands and 6,000 homeowners. Their focus is watershed management, fire protection and wildlife habitat management. On Appendix 2.2, regarding reducing risk to wildfire, it should say "all property owners," not "absentee property owners." There has been a lot of involvement, especially this year, and thanks to the County over $55,000 was spent to remove biomass debris this spring. In the next section, regarding expanding the Upper Deschutes Coalition boundary, they are operating on limited funds as a 501(c)(3). If this is a goal, they need additional funding. They do not have the additional capital at this time. Barbara Brocker said she is saddened that the process feels like it is ending — the process has made her so much more aware of the world around her. The Commission has pulled all sorts of conversations out of the participants - they now have a name, "Newberry Country," but it feels like there is a void. They have started to identify themselves, but she hopes that it doesn't end and we continue to listen to each other. Monte Dammarell said he would like to see the economic development issues addressed a bit more. The unemployment rate here is among the highest in the State. W don't have any major employees and the forest industry has declined dramatically. We need emphasis on jobs in South County. Jobs are huge issue, and he would like to see this emphasized in the Plan. We have EDCO, but this area is not really considered by them. There needs to be an economic development council set up that is representative of South County so we can improve the economy. Vic Russell said we need to become strong enough to change some of the processes and outdated zoning laws. We have lost several businesses recently to Crook County due to this. We have issues now at Midstate Electric, where he is on the board, where the government is making us reinvent the wheel. Newberry County needs to be a strong voice to create jobs and make this community viable. Motion: Chris Brown moved to close the oral record and leave the written record open until November 30 and deliberate on December 13. Seconded by Hugh Palcic. Motion passed. Commissioner Powell commented on Ms. Brocker's testimony regarding feeling like there is a void. There is always a choice, and you can create any type of community you want. IV. PLANNING COMMISSION & STAFF COMMENTS Chair Rainey asked about the agenda for the next meeting. Peter said that the LCDC will be taking testimony on the large lot industrial rules next week. Emphasis will be made on short term needs. 1000 Friends of Oregon testified in support and there has been no other opposition. There may be a rulemaking session with the Planning Commission to focus on the policies to address a short-term need for six sites. We had two hearings on this issue last August, but we would have another work session with the Planning Commission and then a hearing before the Board, hopefully in January. We are only anticipating holding one hearing with the Board as of now. Commissioner Powell suggested putting it first on the agenda, since the deliberations for the Newberry Country Plan could be carried over if needed. Chair Rainey mentioned he would be absent for the next meeting.. Peter and the Commissioners discussed the elimination of the policy language in the Plan relating to Goal 11 except some information from DEQ's website. We don't want to recommend to the Commissioners whether to retain it or not but let the public weigh in and the Board make the decision. If a Goal 11 exception happens, there would be a mention of a health hazard and there would need to be some sort of link in the Plan. Chair Rainey also spoke about the possibility of substituting a 501(c)(3) instead of COIC. Peter said Policy 10.1 represents the suggested changes by Wendell Evers. Peter said we could have our Transportation Planner write an overview of the subject and also have COIC submit comments. The Commissioners could convene a work session with COIC staff and ask them some questions. Chair Rainey questioned whether they would even have the expertise to recommend collaboration with a nonprofit. Vice Chair Brown mentioned speaking to the Board to get their viewpoints. Commissioner Palcic agreed it was hard to make a recommendation without having knowledge. He does not feel comfortable making a decision right now. Commissioner Powell felt it would be helpful to look at this County wide, and just because the service was cut off in South County does not mean it could not happen elsewhere due to budget constraints. The decision could affect more than South County. Commissioner Lisignoli said the Commissioners would be responsible if COIC is named in the Plan — it is our obligation to make sure this would work and there is a commitment. Commissioner Palcic agreed with Commissioner Powell that it might affect the rest of the County. Commissioner Criss mentioned that there was formerly a nonprofit in South County. Commissioner Palcic said the reference could also be called an "alternative," and no specific agency mentioned. Nick and Peter discussed keeping a running total of public comments and asked whether the Commissioners wanted staff comments. Vice Chair Brown and Chair Rainey suggested having an "issues" column rather than staff comments. Nick said we could have three or four more meetings to discuss this, and there is no rush. Commissioner Powell also asked Nick to tell them what it would do to workload — is it easier to discuss verbally or okay to document and do preparatory work? Nick said we are going to do the work, whether we give it to the Commissioners or not. We will have to know the pros and cons. V. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sher Buckner Administrative Secretary 0