HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-08 Work Session MinutesDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Present were Commissioners Anthony DeBoneJ Alan Unger and Tammy Baney.
Also present were Erik Kropp, Interim County Administrator; Tom Anderson, Paul
Blikstact Terri Payne, Peter Gutowsky, Nick Lelack and George Read, Community
Development; and media representative Hillary Borrud ofThe Bulletin.
Chair DeBone opened the meeting at 1:45 p.m.
1. Update on the South County Plan.
Chair DeB one said he attended two community meetings, attended by a number
of local residents. One was held in La Pine at the Senior Center, and a second
one in the Sunriver library.
Terri Payne said that the Sunriver group felt this should not be called the South
County Plan, but the south of Lava Butte plan. Overall, the meetings were
positive. (She referred to a handout with the results given in detail, attached
for reference.)
A partnership meeting is scheduled for February 21 at La Pine High School.
Additional community and outreach meetings are planned.
Peter Gutowsky said they are trying to be creative in involving everyone and in
keeping it interesting. This includes PTA groups and the schools. These people
often do not spend the time going to community meetings because of other
demands on their time. The overall theme seems to be rural resilience, with
shared priorities and areas of interest.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Page 1 of 3 Pages
Ms. Payne wants to get representatives from as many agencies as possible to
take part in these meetings, so that community concerns and questions can be
addressed by those who know. This could include agencies such as ODOT,
COlC, medical groups, transportation providers, the BLM and USFS; the
County's Vegetation Manager, the County Forester, the County's Property
Manager, Road Department, and so on.
Chair DeB one feels that representatives of the Department of Agriculture and
someone from Klamath County government should be invited. Commissioner
Baney suggested that representatives from Oregon Housing and Housing Works
or NeighborImpact might want to attend.
Commissioner Unger feels that there needs to be a greater commitment from
the County to provide local transportation in South County. He likes the idea of
matching dollars. Chair DeB one is concerned about making that type of
commitment with limited funds. Mr. Kropp added that there are other parts of
the County that are underserved as well. The dollars coming to the County that
are specific for transportation are very limited. Chair DeB one indicated he
would gather information to share with the other Commissioners.
Mr. Lelack said that the overall goal of the Plan is to find out general needs and
who would be the provider, and the County's role in it.
Commissioner Unger stated that there are concerns about medical care in an
area as remote as South County. Ms. Payne replied that the County could try to
partner with providers. Another common request is better access to higher
education locally. The land use plan can indicate the County wants to
encourage this and noted that this kind of investment is worthwhile. The public
needs to know what the County can do, and what it can encourage.
Mr. Gutowsky said there will need to be policies established on how to institute
change in South County, as part of the annual work plan.
Chair DeB one stated he has been attending the DEQ Steering Committee
meetings, including one on February 7. Mr. Anderson said he understands the
focus ofDEQ staff is to move towards specific recommendations.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Page 2 of 3 Pages
2. Other Items.
In regard to Commute Options, it was pointed out that what they do is
appreciated, but they need to keep before them the knowledge that solutions are
necessary. It is all about the STIP (State Transportation Improvement
Program). Commissioner Baney feels they should share the appreciation of
having the work get done and continue being involved.
Commissioner Unger said a past Oregon Transportation Commission member
has been pushing to get additional flexible funding, which is federal funding
coming through the state. Having quality projects is more difficult without
this, which helps fund things that are innovative.
The Board went into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(h), pending or
threatened litigation.
Being no further discussion, the meeting ended at 2:40 p.m.
DATED this y~Day of ~ 2012 for the
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.
Anthony DeB one, Chair
Alan Unger, Vice Chair
ATTEST: T~oner ~~
Recording Secretary
Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Page 3 of 3 Pages
Deschutes COWlty Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org
WORK SESSION AGENDA
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012
1. Update on the South County Plan -Terri Payne
2. Other Items
Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(h), pending or threatened litigation
PLEASE NOTE: At any time during this meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to ORS 192.660(2) (e). real
property negotiations; ORS 192.66O(2)(h), litigation; ORS 192.660(2Xd). labor negotiations; or ORS 192.66O(2) (b). personnel issues.
Meeting dates, times and discussion items are subject to change. All meetings are conducted in the Board ofCommissioners' meeting rooms at
1300 NW Wall St., Bend. unless otherwise indicated. 1/)'011 have questions regarding a meeting. please call 388·6572.
Deschutes County meeting locations are wheelchair accessible.
Descbutes County provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
For deaf, hearing impaired or speech disabled, dial 7-1-1 to access the state transfer relay service for lTY.
Please caD (541) 388-6571 regarding alternative formats or for further information.
Community Development Department
Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Soils Division
117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925
(541)388-6575 FAX (541)385-1764
http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 7,2012
TO: Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners
Deschutes County Planning Commission
FROM: Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner
Terri Hansen Payne, Senior Planner
MEETING: February 8,2012 (Board work session)
February 9, 2012 (Planning Commission meeting)
RE: South County Plan Community Meeting Update
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND A SOUTH COUNTY PLAN
Deschutes County has initiated a process to prepare a land use plan for the South County area.
During Comprehensive Plan update meetings in 2009 and 2010, South County residents expressed
interest in an area-specific plan to replace one titled Regional Problem Solving for South Deschutes
County, which has been in existence since the late 1990s. The South County Plan created through
this process will be adopted into the Comprehensive Plan, an official document adopted by the Board
of County Commissioners, which sets forth general long range goals and policies on future growth
and development, consistent with statewide planning regulations.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Public outreach began last week with two community "kick-off" meetings:
• La Pine Senior Center January 31, 20126-7:30 p.m. -approximately 30 people attended
• Sunriver Library February 1, 20126-7:30 p.m. -approximately 20 people attended
The public was asked to respond to the following questions:
• What do you like about South County?
• What South County issues need to be addressed?
• What would you like South County to be like in 20 years?
• What result(s) would you like to see from the South County Plan process?
• What information do you need to assist in understanding the issues?
When responding to those questions, the public was asked to consider the following topics: growth,
land use, transportation, natural resources, recreation, public facilities, community needs
The discussion was informal, with staff facilitating and taking notes (Attachments 1 and 2). For
those that preferred responding in writing, the first four questions listed above were provided on a
Quality Services Performed with Pride
questionnaire. Eight questionnaires were returned (Attachment 3). Finally, a wall exercise was
provided to generate discussion (results below).
Wall Exercise -both nights
Question 1: What one thing do you like best about South Deschutes County?
• Peace and quiet
• Caring, respectful community
• Rural
• Glad to see the improvement in support and cooperation by County
• Rural and community cohesion
Question 2: What one South Deschutes County issue do you want to see addressed?
• Access to health care
• Emergency clinic
• Mini hospital
• What to do about non-paved roads, what to do about 6th Street and Highway 97, what to do
about 1st Street and Highway 97
• Maintain side roads
• Hazardous fuel reduction
• Storm H20 drainage
• Community trail system
• Highway 97 -ODOT
• Bus/train from Sunriver to Bend/La Pine
NEXT STEPS
A community partnership meeting is scheduled for February 21,2012 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the La
Pine High School. Agencies that have a prominent presence in South County have been invited to
staff tables for an open house and provide an overview of their planning efforts. The City of La
Pine, Sunriver Resort and the Sunriver Owners Association have also been invited, because
although they will not be governed by the South County Plan, they have an integral role in the
future of South Deschutes County.
Attachments:
1. Community Plan notes 1-31-12
2. Community Plan notes 2-1-12
3. Questionnaires 1-31-12 and 2-1-12
I -2
1
Notes from South County Community Meeting 1-31-12
Below is a general summary of public comments from the South Deschutes County
community meeting January 31 at the La Pine Senior Center. This is intended to
provide an idea of the topics discussed at the meeting and does not provide an exact
transcript. Comments are not attributed, except for comments from County
Commissioner Tony DeBone or Planning Commissioners Ed Criss or Jim Powell.
County Speakers
County Commissioner Tony DeBone -Welcome and introduction
County Planner Terri Payne -Background, what is being done as well as why and how
and questions for tonight
What do you like about South Deschutes County?
What South County issues need to be addressed?
What would you like South Deschutes County to be like in 20 years?
What result(s) would you like to see from the South County Plan process?
What information do you need to assist in understanding the issues?
Public Input
• Enjoys the proximity to rural recreation and access to USFS and BLM lands.
• Traffic needs to be addressed; add lanes to US 97 between Sunriver and La Pine;
Wickiup Junction (Burgess Road/US 97) needs to be fixed; Ponderosa Pines
subdivision now plows internal roads, including Ponderosa Way; County needs to
sweep intersection of Burgess/Ponderosa Way; Burgess/Sunrise Court needs
sweeping; La Pine needs a branch of college like Bend and Redmond; loves the
outdoors
• Questions: how many federal/statellocal governments and agencies are involved in
transportation? How many miles are under locallcounty/state/federal jurisdiction?
• Likes Cascade East Transit (CET) buses, but need another bus that would go to La
Pine destinations; wants increased local service.
• Bus needs to go Ray's, Bi-Mart, other La Pine stores; need an intracity loop; wants
local transit service that is accessible and affordable; area also needs a mini
hospital, better medical services, otherwise you have to go to St. Charles in Bend.
• Questions: what is the percentage of people in South County who are transportation
disadvantaged and lor over 65 years old?
• Likes the people; need federal health grants and health care services; appreciates
staff coming to La Pine
• La Pine was boyhood play area; year-round recreation is available which makes this
a recreation paradise; people are great, friendly folks; Plan needs to be for 10 years,
not 20; safety issue when population increases, prepare for future growth including
roadways
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Notes from South County Community Meeting 1-31-12
• Six year resident; likes how people unite in face of adversity such as Local Rule;
area needs a community vision of what area stands for; need to become a center
between Klamath County and Bend; paved roads are not critical, but the County
needs to periodically blade gravel roads; need more law enforcement of speed limits
to stop drivers from damaging gravel roads with 60-65+ speeds; County should do
minor maintenance on gravel roads; need better health care services, now deficient,
expensive, impractical
• Other things he meant to mention that he likes about South County include
snowmobiling, ATVs, opportunities to see wildlife; he's often ridden snowmobiles
and A TV's all the way to OR 58; COIC buses don't go to Ponderosa Pines
subdivision; they only go as far as Day/Burgess; How does COIC determine service
areas for the disabled?
Tony DeBone -Other things he likes about South County: fishing, black powder
rendezvous, quiet starry nights, backyard campfires, burning woodstoves, near-by
camping at Paulina Lake, ability of kids to do survival training right outside school,
proximity to horse trails.
• Likes the people, they're very diverse; need a community college, an education
retraining center; South County has 15% of the County's population but a limited
level of services; roads are falling apart; they need to be maintained; need more law
enforcement presence especially since law enforcement from Klamath County has
ebbed; need education satellite campuses like Redmond and Prineville have; need
health services (short term care)
• Likes the accessibility to state and local government representatives; people are
friendly and supportive; moved here for the rural atmosphere, knew there would be a
lower level of services to maintain rural atmosphere
• State legislation for Caldera Springs threatened rural atmosphere; gated
communities and super-siting of 925 homes south of Sunriver
• Likes the Deschutes County library branches in La Pine and Sunriver; computers,
internet access, free conference rooms for public meetings; excellent resource for
information.
• Enjoys the nature, the peace and quiet; schools are getting full, so even though most
folks in room tonight are retirees, plan needs to involve young families as there are
lots of them in South County; engage newer folks; La Pine, Sunriver, County all
need to recognize how their plans affect each other; County plows stop at the west
end of Burgess before Wild River subdivision; plowing seems to end at Ponderosa
Way; weeds on County roads are an issue, they should be cut but not sprayed;
open burns along Burgess Road were not adequately monitored and lots of trees
burned unnecessarily; need better communication between La Pine, Sunriver, and
I
1
Page 2
Notes from South County Community Meeting 1-31-12
county to achieve better coordination; need better info on what types of vegetation
is the best to plant in South County's unique microclimate so we'll know what to
grow.
• We need more information on what they are injecting into the ground near Newberry
crater as part of the testing for geothermal power plant; health implications; better
communication would let us understand how this might affect us.
• Newberry is not a power plant, it's just exploration; people are very friendly here
compared to other areas; likes lots of pine trees; easy to get lost in South County as
that's what happened to group of women riding horses who ended up in his yard.
• 3 year resident, previously visited then retired here; people are great even the teens,
are respectful and resourceful; likes that recreation opportunities abound; worries
about lack of jobs for teens as many jobs once held by teens are now being held by
retirees or even young adults; tough to get across US 97 in La Pine; also
encountered cyclists at night riding without lights and in dark clothes; need to look at
health care and transportation; worried about geothermal; what happens to those
people with approved septic system, are they financially liable for groundwater
mitigations
• Need bus service between La Pine and Bend; need employment
• Salem is setting the standards for land use codes or road specifications; we're
different over here and need to push back until they recognize our rural nature
Ed Criss -South County has distinctive issues; you need to spread the word to your
neighbors to attend these meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and Board of
County Commissioner meetings; recap of groundwater issues and rise of "red lots";
protect the riparian area, protect the wetlands to protect the river; direct development to
better places; land swap could be the answer for developable lands; on the
transportation System Plan (TSP), the Planning Commission heard from Sisters and
Redmond, but nothing from South County
• Get forest lands back from federal government so County can allow logging and do
a better job of fire protection
• There is bus service between La Pine and Bend; the problem is getting from Wild
River to Wickiup Junction as there is no service; need regular transit service to
extend to Wild River; coordinate medical service buses to serve transit
• AppreCiate that County staff is listening, even if they need to find an answer; better
to get direct input from residents rather than funding outside consultants
Page 3
Notes from South County Community Meeting 1-31-12
• Lists topics of concern including parks, groundwater, transportation, red lots,
nitrates, wildlife report, obsolete subdivisions, infrastructure; need to understand
County-owned lands
Jim Powell-30 years ago there was no agreement for what should go into the
Comprehensive Plan; now look at how well-organized you've become and how you've
developed consensus and what you've accomplished; you've established a city and
overturned the Local Rule
• The plan needs flexibility and there should be a Plan B just in case
• Talk to people of all ages and see what the priority is for each age group based on
10-year increments; what's important to each cohort, what's important to all
Page 4
Notes from South County Community Meeting 2-1-12
Below is a general summary of public comments from the South Deschutes County
community meeting February 1 at the Sunriver Library. This is intended to provide an
idea of the topics discussed at the meeting and does not provide an exact transcript.
Comments are not attributed, except for comments from County Commissioner Tony
DeBone or Planning Commissioner Ed Criss.
County Speakers
County Commissioner Tony DeBone -Welcome and introduction
County Planner Terri Payne -Background, what is being done as well as why and how
and questions for tonight
What do you like about South Deschutes County?
What South County issues need to be addressed?
What would you like South Deschutes County to be like in 20 years?
What result(s) would you like to see from the South County Plan process?
What information do you need to assist in understanding the issues?
Public Input
• How will decisions be made? Will the public be involved in decisions or just reacting
to what's presented?
• What is our framework to go on?
• Staff discussed the process of informal public involvement allows for input into the
ideas being discussed and will be followed by formal public involvement when a
change is proposed to the current section of the Comprehensive Plan called
Regional Problem Solving for south Deschutes County
Commissioner DeBone provided some background on his family's history in South
County and reiterated the questions for tonight
• Sunriver resident loves the solitude and quiet, but still being close to services; wants,
young families to be able to enjoy the same things she does; concerned over lack of
services needed by young families, such as high speed internet
Commissioner Criss discussed the need and process for large lot industrial land to
create family wage jobs; also discussed the Comprehensive Plan Action Plan
• Likes library system and resources; would like there to be a South County parks
and recreation district, rather than just the existing one for La Pine; would like more
parks on the river in South County
• Would like an organization to represent South County, not just La Pine or just
Sunriver, to provide a South County voice
Page 1
Notes from South County Community Meeting 2·1·12
• Likes the solitude, but also wants to be part of a community; likes wider roads to ride
a bike to town; likes the closeness to the mountain; downside is that as the children
grew up they left, too isolated for them; need too attract younger families
• There is a perception of a divide between La Pine and Sunriver; the perception that
Sunriver doesn't care is wrong; relationships are needed to build a South County
community
• South County is not a concept people relate to, maybe use South of Lava Butte
Commissioner Criss recognizes the La Pine Citizens Action Group as well as the Upper
Deschutes River Coalition and the Sunriver Homeowners Association as active
community groups; commonality between Sunriver and La Pine; communication is
important in overcoming perceptions; land swap could provide park lands all along the
river; could use small destination resorts (no residences, just visitor lodging)
• Much of the land in Deschutes County is federal; loves how close we are to Mount
Bachelor
• Loves canoeing on the river and kayaking on the lakes
• Love amenities as well; look to urban areas for growth; young families are expecting
amenities like good water and transportation
• Love my home but as people mature, needs change; as we age need to move
closer to urban areas
• Is there a way to not just to take input, but to put people into planning process itself
Staff explained that plans for future meetings are intended to do that
• Request to refocus the meeting away from process
• Likes the friendly people of South County
• Who represented South County in the past?
Staff noted generally there has been a specific South County Planning Commissioner;
discussed past/ongoing projects like Project Wildfire
• To bring people to the area need a website that connects all the entities in the area,
one place to get information about amenities, recreation, businesses
• One place, all in this together, need one source of information
Page 2
Notes from South County Community Meeting 2~1-12
• Moved from Chicago, children moved away as soon as possible; wants coordination
on hospitality; people want to visit and know what's going on
• Major trend in home businesses, need strong internet infrastructure; home
businesses provide living wage jobs; allow a high quality of life
• Home businesses are good, but there is still a need for community
• Currently coordinating bringing high speed broadband to the area; example of
Chattanooga Tennessee, high speed internet brought 3,200 new jobs paying
average of $58,000/year; wants to bring the internet to 10,000 homes
• As a realtor, one of the top 3 question raised is the availability of internet access,
even for second homes; there is an emphasis on selling the home office on vacation
• Discussion -people like South of Lava Butte name for the area
• Likes the improvements on Century Drive
• Hopes the plan considers regional transportation needs; north south route up the
west side of the basin
• FS road 41, need to involve BLM and Forest Service in this process
• Need alternatives to Harper Bridge Boat Ramp, for access and public safety
• If better access then floating the river would be a larger part of tourism
• The resort has active and engaged residents and so does the whole area, they
need each other
• Public transit not in mind when existing development patterns initiated, not easy due
to dispersed lots
• Work with ODOT, all roads lead to Hwy 97. that is the community connector
Page 3