HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-14 - Planning Commission MinutesI. CALL TO ORDER
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
DESCHUTES SERVICES CENTER
1300 NW WALL STREET, BEND, OREGON, 97701
MARCH 14, 2013 — 5:30 P.M.
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Bill Rainey. Members present were Vice
Chair Chris Brown, James Powell, Ed Criss, Hugh Palcic and Matt Lisignoli. Absent:
Todd Turner. Staff present were Nick Lelack, Planning Director; Peter Russell, Senior
Transportation Planner; Will Groves, Senior Planner; and Sher Buckner, Administrative
Secretary.
Minutes of February 28, 2013 were approved.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Melissa Steinbach spoke about a community plan for Deschutes River Woods (DRW).
She and Commissioner Powell compared community plans to homeowners' association
agreements, and discussed funding and ways to increase the homeowners' association's
membership. Nick said that we will be applying for a grant to address some of these
issues and explained the differences between Tumalo, a rural unincorporated community,
and DRW.
III. PUBLIC HEARING: TA -13-1, Amend DCC Title 18.04.030 and 18.113 to Allow 2.5:1
Ratio of Overnight Units to Residential Units in Destination Resorts — Will Groves, Senior
Planner.
Will gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the application. Commissioner Powell and
Will discussed a 2008 site plan that was submitted for a 3 -story hotel of 40 units in
Pronghorn, but there were lockoffs to double that to 80. Staff findings indicated that the
hotel would provide for residents, members and guests but would not be open to the
public; however, these units did qualify for overnight units. Nick and Commissioner Powell
discussed a decision by the Board to create a new financial security for Pronghorn. Will
and Commissioner Palcic spoke about financial motivations for this application, and Peter
Russell mentioned the transportation impacts.
Quality Services Performed with Pride
Testimony:
Liz Dickson testified on behalf of Pronghorn. The former owners who managed Pronghorn
were not professionals and were probably underfunded. The current owners have a debt
free operation and have owned the property for about year. Liz discussed the question of
possible loss of visitors as a result of fewer overnight units, the changes to the ownership
and operation of Pronghorn, how lockoffs work to give people the flexibility they want, the
area around Pronghorn and its future plans.
Steve Hultberg testified on behalf of Caldera Springs in favor of the text amendment.
Nick discussed the possibility of combining the Board work sessions for the two text
amendments.
Motion: Chair Rainey moved that TA -13-1 be approved and recommended to the Board
for adoption. Seconded by Vice Chair Brown.
Discussion: Commissioner Powell felt that the motion was for timing and there should be
further discussion. Chair Rainey felt that he has heard all he needs to hear to make a
decision - the timing is beneficial but coincidental. Commissioner Palcic said the decisions
are being made based on economics and the merits don't show benefit beyond that. He is
concerned that the rules of the game are being changed — everything is being pointed to the
conceptual master plans at this point and we will not able to move back or become more
restrictive in the future. Commissioner Lisignoli felt that we do need tourism and revenue
generation in Central Oregon and also help to reduce financial issues for developers.
Commissioner Palcic was concerned that we are setting a precedent for future
developments. Commissioner Criss said that the market was improving for Pronghorn,
according to the testimony this evening; but according to previous testimony for Caldera, the
market is saturated. There is a large impact to South County and some of the residents will
not fully understand how it will affect them. There are properties across from Vandervert
Road, for example, that could potentially add thousands of homes. We could close the oral
record and keep the written record open for another week, since people may need more
time to comment. Commissioner Powell agreed and said he would have no problem with
this relative to Pronghorn and Caldera Springs, but this is County wide.
Motion did not pass; tie vote.
Motion: Commissioner Criss motioned to close the oral record and keep the written
record open for seven days until March 21 at 5:00 p.m. Seconded by Commissioner
Powell. Motion passed.
IV. WORK SESSION: Planning Division Work Plan 2013-2014 — Nick Lelack, Planning
Director (45 minutes).
Peter and Nick discussed items on the work plan and some possible citizen -requested
additions.
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V. PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Whether or not to record votes along with motions was discussed (it had been determined
previously that the Commissioners did not want specific votes recorded, only the results., of
motions).
Nick mentioned that after the March 28 meeting we do not have any items for upcoming
agendas for a bit, and perhaps we could take some tours of sites as the Commissioners
might like. We could also provide training for the Commissioners on goals and our
responsibilities.
VI. ADJOURN -
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sher Buckner
Administrative Secretary
The video record of this meeting can be located at: http://deschutes.granicus.comNiewPublisher.php?view id=5
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