HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - 05 (May) Community Development UpdateCCCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT DDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTEPARTMENT
May 5, 2015
From the Director’s Desk:
Building Safety
What a first quarter! We issued 1,272
permits between January 1 and
March 31, which included 77 new
homes, 49 new accessory structures
and 63 additions. That’s more than a
60% increase in new dwelling units from
last year’s first quarter. We also
completed 131 plan reviews during this
year’s first quarter, so there is no end in
sight. The mild winter and improving
economy in Deschutes County have
meant no winter slowdown as we have
seen in the past. All indications are for
increased population growth in
Deschutes County through the coming
years. To assist with these additional
workloads, we have proposed one
additional full-time employee to start in
the coming fiscal year, but we may be
able to fill the position a little sooner.
During this first quarter, we hired David
Imel full time to fill the vacancy created
when Chris Gracia accepted the
Assistant Building Official position.
David has been instrumental in helping
us keep our plan review times within
statute limitations. We also lost the
face of our Sisters contract when Jim
Williams announced his resignation to
take a position in the big city of
Portland. We have since replaced the
position with Brian Moore - a former
carpenter, job superintendent and
longtime truss designer. Welcome,
David and Brian.
We have also recently received notice of
Dale Brieske’s retirement this fall. We
all wish Dale a great, well-traveled and
well-deserved retirement.
We currently have three Building
Inspectors - Steven F. Jensen, Dan
Swarthout, and David Imel - enrolled in
a Building Codes Division cross-training
program that, when completed, will
CDD is experiencing a peak development season above the past
two years, demonstrating the economic recovery is both sustained
and strengthening. The major change this year is the high
number of large and/or complex land use planning applications,
all of which are in process or on appeal to the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC), Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) or
Court of Appeals. Each project is summarized in the Update.
We welcome new CDD staff Dave Imel and Brian Moore to our
Building Division, Anthony Laemmle to our Code Enforcement
program, and Chris Schmoyer to our Planning Division. Dave,
Brian, Anthony, and Chris have hit the ground running. In
addition, the Environmental Soils Division is interviewing
candidates to fill a new position and Coordinated Services will
initiate a recruitment for a new permit technician to meet
increased service demands.
If you or someone you know has thought about applying to serve
on the County Planning Commission, the application deadline for
two positions (Bend-Area and At-Large) is this Friday, May 8 at
5:00 p.m. For more information, please click on this link:
www.deschutes.org/cd/page/planning-commission and scroll
down to “Supporting Documents.”
May and June are important months in the review and approval
process for CDD’s annual work plan and budget. The BOCC will
conduct a work session on the draft work plan on May 18 at
1:30 p.m. and a public hearing on June 10 at 10:00 a.m. The
County’s Budget Committee will conduct a public hearing on
CDD’s proposed budget on May 27 from 2:15-3:15 p.m. All
meetings are at the
Deschutes Services
Center, 1300 NW Wall
Street, Bend.
The County, the
Department of Land
Conservation and
Development (DLCD),
and the Department of
Environmental Quality
(DEQ) hosted public
informational meetings
last month on a
proposed Goal 11 Exception to permit sewers in rural Southern
Deschutes County. The photo above shows the tremendous
public interest in this issue.
For current information on upcoming meetings, hearings., etc., please refer to the following link:
www.deschutes.org/calendar
qualify them to sit for their Specialized
Electrical Inspector Certifications. This is a new
certification given to us through statute that will
allow them to conduct limited commercial
electrical inspections and assist us in our
endeavors to become a much more efficient
jurisdiction.
Scott Farm, Richard Wright, and Rainer Doerge
have been great in picking up as much slack as
they can while we are in the midst of this boom
cycle and training regime. Thanks guys.
Coordinated Services
Deschutes County has been asked by the State
of Oregon ePermitting to take part in a pilot
program for a new mobile inspection app that
works in conjunction with our Accela software.
The VuSpex application works by connecting a
contractor’s smartphone to a building
inspector’s desktop or tablet device with a live
video and voice stream. The application enables
the inspector to view, annotate, document and
result the inspection while archiving in the
cloud. The end result is a substantial
improvement in efficiency with the added benefit
of supporting agency green initiatives. This app
benefits agencies wanting to reduce driving time
and costs as well as leverage Building inspector
experience. Building contractors also benefit by
eliminating the wait for building inspections.
VuSpex saves time and operating costs for
contractors, inspectors and their agencies.
Deschutes County is hoping to initiate the pilot
program in August, 2015.
Current Planning
Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) Text
Amendment (TA-13-4): COID applied to amend
Title 19 of Deschutes County Code, Section
19.20.020, to add as a use permitted outright in
the SR-2.5 Zone the “operation, maintenance and
piping of existing irrigation systems operated by
an Irrigation District, except as provided in
DCC 18.120.050.” On May 8, the Planning
Commission made a recommendation to the BOCC
for denial of the text amendment application.
The BOCC held a public hearing on the proposed
text amendment on July 2. The applicant
submitted a letter to the BOCC dated August 13
requesting that the BOCC hold the text
amendment application in abeyance for a few
months to allow the applicant to pursue
possible mediation with opponents.
The BOCC held a work session on the
applicant’s request for the abeyance on
August 13th and voted to extend the review of
the application. The mediation efforts proved
unsuccessful. By Order 2015-018, the BOCC
closed the record as of March 20, 2015 and
stated that the BOCC would deliberate on the
matter on March 25, 2015. On March 25, the
motion to approve the text amendment failed for
lack of a second.
The failure to approve the text amendment was
appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA)
by COID. On April 20, 2015 the BOCC agreed to
initiate a Withdrawal from Reconsideration in
order to bring the decision back to the BOCC for
further deliberations and decision. A final BOCC
decision is due to LUBA within 90 days of LUBA’s
approval of the Notice. Staff has scheduled
deliberations by the BOCC for June 3, 2015.
Staff contact: Paul Blikstad; Paul.Blikstad@
deschutes.org
Brown Limited Use Permit (247-15-000061-A,
247-14-000202-LUP): On January 27, 2015, the
Planning Division issued an administrative
decision denying a Type 2 Limited Use Permit for
a commercial events or activities facility on an EFU
-zoned parcel at 4691 SW Helmholtz Way,
Redmond. The denial was based on several
issues, which included that the proposed use
must be incidental and subordinate to existing
farm use of the property and comply with
ORS 215.296, shall be related to and supportive
of agriculture, and shall be set back at least 100
feet from the property line. The applicant and
property owner, James R. Brown, appealed the
decision. The hearings officer held a public
hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. A decision
is expected this month. Staff contact: Cynthia
Smidt; Cynthia.Smidt@deschutes.org
Cooper Ranch Limited Use Permit (247-15-
000001-LUP): Paul and Hana Cooper applied for a
Limited Use Permit to allow up to six commercial
events (weddings) in the Exclusive Farm Use Zone
for the property identified on County Assessor’s
Map No. 16-12-32, as Tax Lots 314 and 301. A
public hearing before a hearings officer was
conducted on March 31, 2015. The hearings officer
left the written record open until April 29, 2015. A
decision on the application is expected sometime
this month.
Deschutes Junction Comprehensive
Plan Amendment and Zone Change
(247-14-000456-ZC, 247-14-000457-PA):
On December 31, an application for a plan
amendment and zone change from Exclusive
Farm Use to Rural Industrial and a goal exception
to Statewide Planning Goal 3, Agricultural Lands,
was submitted for a 21.58-acre site, located at
Deschutes Junction (Tax Map Nos. 16-12-26C,
Tax Lot 201 and 16-12-27D, Tax Lot 104). A
public hearing before a hearings officer has been
scheduled for June 16, 2015. Staff contact: Paul
Blikstad, Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Land Use Compatibility Statement (247-14-
000238-PS): The Planning Division approved a
Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS)
submitted by Tumalo Irrigation District (TID) to
transfer approximately 108 acre-feet of water
right from Tumalo Creek to a reservoir created at
the Klippel Acres Mining Site (Assessor’s Map 17-
11-13, Tax Lots 824 and 828). The approval was
appealed. The hearings officer issued a decision
on December 15, 2014, reversing the Planning
Division’s issuance of the LUCS because the
Planning Division incorrectly categorized TID’s
proposed use and, therefore, erred in issuing the
LUCS. The hearings officer’s decision was
appealed. On April 8, 2015, the BOCC
determined that the LUCS was issued incorrectly.
Specifically, the creation of the reservoir
constituted surface mining, and the design and
use of the reservoir as a ski lake constituted a
recreation facility. Because both uses require a
conditional use permit, the BOCC directed the
Planning Division to re-issue the LUCS indicating
that conditional use permit approval is required.
The appellant has appealed the BOCC’s decision
to LUBA. Staff contact: Anthony Raguine;
Anthony.Raguine@deschutes.org
Lower Bridge Road LLC (247-15-000194-CU and
247-15-000195-TP): The applicant requests
approval of applications for a conditional use and
tentative plan for a planned development
(19 residential lots) in the Rural Residential (RR-
10) and Flood Plain (FP) Zones, that is also within
the Landscape Management Combining Zone.
The Deschutes County Hearings Officer will hold a
Public Hearing on May 21, 2015. Staff contact:
William Groves; William.Groves@deschutes.org
Miller Tree Farm Subdivision and Conditional
Use (247-14-000242-CU/243-TP; 247-14-
000244-CU/245-TP; 247-14-000246-CU/
247-TP; 247-14-000248-CU/249-TP;
247-14-000250-CU/251-TP): The
Planning Division received five
conditional use permit and tentative plat
applications to establish a planned unit/cluster
development (subdivision). The applications
propose a total of 50 two-acre residential lots and
over 422 acres of permanently preserved open
space, most of which will be publicly accessible via
a comprehensive trail network. On March 18,
2015, the hearings officer denied all five
subdivision applications due to lack of detail with
respect to the required wildfire and wildlife
management plans. The denials were appealed to
the BOCC, which will conduct a public hearing.
The tentative date for the public hearing is July 8,
2015. Staff contact: Anthony Raguine;
Anthony.Raguine@ deschutes.org
NorWest Energy 2, LLC (247-15-000168-CU, 169-
SP) and Oregon Solar Land Holdings; (247-15-
000170-CU, 171-SP, 172-LM): The Planning
Division has received conditional use and site plan
applications for two photovoltaic solar arrays (solar
farms) located north of Highway 20 approximately
one mile east of the Bend City Limits boundary.
These are the first solar farm applications
submitted to Deschutes County. Both projects are
sited on properties zoned Exclusive Farm Use,
which provides for solar farms subject to
conditional use and site plan review, as well as
demonstration of compliance with applicable
sections of Oregon Administrative Rule 660-033-
0130(38). Due to significant public interest, these
applications will be reviewed by a hearings officer.
A public hearing will be scheduled, and public
notice provided once the application has been
deemed complete. Notification of the date, time
and place for the public hearing will be mailed to
surrounding property owners, agencies and parties
of interest. Notification of the hearing will also be
published in The Bulletin at least 20 days prior to
the hearing. Staff contact: Chris Schmoyer;
Chris.Schmoyer@deschutes.org
Tetherow Vacation Homes LLC (247-14-000 /
430-CU, 429-SP, and 428-TP): Tetherow Vacation
Homes, LLC, has applied for tentative plan
approval for a phased subdivision comprised of 22
lots, three development tracts, nine common-area
tracts, and five private road tracts along with site
plan approval for the development of 133
overnight lodging units in 23 structures and
conditional use approval for offsite parking. Staff
contact: William Groves; William.Groves@
deschutes.org
Text Amendment-14-2: Gary Knight and Alex
Robertson applied for a text amendment to
Chapter 18.32, Multiple Use Agricultural Zone
(MUA-10) and Section 18.128.050 of Title 18
of the Deschutes County Code (DCC)
to allow the potential for the creation of
new manufactured home parks in the MUA-
10 Zone adjoining the City of Bend Urban
Growth Boundary (Knight), and lessen the
requirements for expanding existing manu-
factured home parks in the same zone
(Robertson). The Planning Commission
recommended approving Knight’s proposal and
denying Robertson’s. The BOCC voted to
approve the amendment and conduct the first
reading of Ordinance No. 2015-002 at the
March 16 meeting. The second reading of
Ordinance No. 2015-002 occurred on April 8,
2015. The text amendment takes effect on July
8, 2015. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad,
Paul.Blikstad@ deschutes.org
Thornburgh Destination Resort Appeal
(A-13-8): Loyal Land, LLC, filed an application
asking the County to hold a hearing on the
remand from LUBA on the issue of whether the
conceptual master plan (CMP) for the resort has
been initiated. The hearings officer found that
the CMP had not been initiated and that the CMP
is void. Loyal Land appealed that decision to the
BOCC (A-14-1). The BOCC voted 2-1 that the
CMP had been initiated on August 14, 2014.
A Notice of Intent to Appeal to LUBA was
received on September 2. LUBA issued a remand
on January 30, 2015. The remand was appealed
to the Court of Appeals on February 20. Staff
contact: Peter Gutowsky, Peter.Gutowsky@
deschutes.org
Widgi Creek (TP-14-1024, SP-14-8, LM-14-17):
Arrowood Development, LLC, submitted
applications for a tentative plat for a 24-lot zero
lot-line subdivision, and site plan and landscape
management review for the dwelling units on the
proposed lots. A hearings officer approved these
applications on September 29, 2014. The
opponents submitted an appeal of the hearings
officer’s decision, and the applicant submitted
an application for reconsideration, dealing with
the water facility for the subdivision. Under the
County’s development procedures ordinance, the
reconsideration request is handled first, with the
appeal coming after the reconsideration has
been decided. The hearings officer issued a
reconsideration decision amending the
conditions dealing with the water system. The
BOCC decided not to hear the appeal, under
Order No.2014-036. A Notice of Intent to
Appeal to LUBA was submitted. Oral
arguments before LUBA are scheduled this
spring. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad,
Paul.Blikstad@ deschutes.org
Widgi Creek(247-14-000391-TP,
247-14-000393-SP, and 247-14-000394-LM):
The hearings officer held a public hearing on
January 6, 2015 for a partial replat of the Elkai
Woods Townhomes, Phase III subdivision to remove
the common area notation on the subject property,
together with tentative plan approval for an eight-
lot zero lot-line subdivision, site plan and non-
visible landscape management review. The
hearings officer issued a decision on April 6, 2015
finding that the proposal does not comply with all
applicable regulations. On April 17, 2015 Kine &
Kine Properties appealed the decision to the BOCC.
The BOCC will decide whether to hear this appeal
on May 6, 2015. Staff contact: Will Groves;
William.Groves@ deschutes.org
Widgi Creek(247-14-000395-TP, 247-14-000396-
SP, and 247-14-000397-LM): The hearings officer
held a public hearing on January 6, 2015 for a nine
-lot, zero lot line subdivision, as well as site plan
and landscape management review for the
proposed dwellings on the subdivision lots, on
property zoned Resort District and Landscape
Management Combining Zone. The Hearings
Officer issued a decision on April 6, 2015 finding
that the proposal does not comply with all
applicable regulations. On April 17, 2015 Kine &
Kine Properties appealed the decision to the BOCC.
The BOCC will decide whether to hear this appeal
on May 6, 2015. Staff contact: Will Groves;
William.Groves@ deschutes.org
4-R Equipment LLC (PA-04-8, ZC-04-6): 4-R
Equipment, LLC, sent notice to the County to
initiate the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA)
remand hearing on its applications for a plan
amendment to add the applicant’s property to the
County’s Goal 5 surface mining inventory of
mineral and aggregate resources, and a zone
change from EFU to Surface Mining for approxi-
mately 365 acres in the Millican area. These
applications have been approved by the County
(three different times) but were appealed to LUBA,
and subsequently remanded back to the County.
The remand hearing focused on the two remaining
issues as determined in the latest LUBA decision.
The BOCC approved the Plan Amendment/Zone
Change on January 29, 2015. Central Oregon
LandWatch has submitted a Notice of Intent to
Appeal the BOCC’s decision to LUBA. The LUBA
record has been prepared and finalized for LUBA’s
deliberations. Oral arguments will be scheduled
for sometime in 2015. Staff contact: Paul
Blikstad, Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Shepherd Wildlife Plan Modification
(247-14-000401-MC): On December 18,
2014 staff issued an administrative approval
of a modification to an existing conditional
use decision (CU-00-65/ MA-01-9) that allowed
the siting of a farm-related dwelling more than
300 feet from a public or private road in the
Wildlife Area Combining Zone (WA). The
administrative approval wholly removed the
Wildlife Management Plan (WMP) required under
the previous decision and replaced it with six
conditions of approval designed to protect and
enhance deer habitat on the property. The BOCC
approved this application April 22, 2015. Staff
contact: William Groves; William.Groves@
deschutes.org
Shepherd Private Park (247-14-000 228-CU
and 229-SP): On February 3, 2015 staff issued
an administrative approval of a conditional
permit and site plan review (247-14-000228-CU,
229-SP) to establish a private park on an EFU-
zoned parcel east of Sisters for the purpose of
hosting weddings, wedding receptions, special
events, and recreational activities. The BOCC
approved this application April 22, 2015. Staff
contact: William Groves; William.Groves@
deschutes.org
Long-Range Planning
Agricultural Lands/HB 2229: Staff received
direction from the BOCC on November 24, 2014
to explore HB 2229, also known as the Big Look
Bill, as it relates to correcting mapping errors of
farm and forestlands. Three developments have
occurred over the last several months that
complicate implementing HB 2229: a January 8,
2015 Department of Land Conservation and
Development (DLCD) letter, a conversation with
former Community Development Director John
Anderson (1978-85), and recent remarks by Jim
Rue, DLCD Director during a meeting in Bend on
April 17 with City and County officials. At a work
session on May 6, the BOCC will consider
initiating a letter to Director Rue requesting
rulemaking for HB 2229. Staff contact: Matt
Martin, Matt.Martin@ deschutes.org
Bend Airport Master Plan Update: The City of
Bend intends to submit a land use application to
amend the County’s Comprehensive Plan,
Transportation System Plan (TSP), and Title 18 of
the Airport Development Zone to implement
the Bend Airport Master Plan (BAMP). Staff
contact: Peter Russell, Peter.Russell@
deschutes.org.
Central Oregon Large-Lot Industrial
Land Need Analysis: City of Redmond staff
convened a work session with their City
Council on February 17 and received support to
submit a 200+ acre large lot candidate site to
Central Oregon Inter-governmental Council (COIC)
for consideration. COIC’s Board will review it on
May 7. If it is endorsed, Deschutes County will
collaborate with the City of Redmond to prepare a
UGB amendment application. Staff contacts: Nick
Lelack, Nick.Lelack@deschutes.org; Peter
Gutowsky, Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org; Scott
Aycock, ScottA@coic.org; and Heather Richards,
Heather.Richards@ci.redmond.or.us.
Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant: Every
24 months, the State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) offers matching grants to cities and
counties, including Deschutes County and the City
of Sisters, that have been “certified” as historic
preservation partners with both the state and
federal governments. In March, the SHPO
approved the County’s 2015-16 CLG grant
application resulting in an award of $13,000. This,
combined with the required local fund match,
results in a total of $26,000 committed to
supporting the County and City of Sisters historic
preservation program. Projects planned for this
grant include support for Historic Preservation
Month activities in May 2015 and 2016,
collaboration with Des Chutes Historical Society on
archive scanning project, public education,
training, and program administration. Staff
contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Code Enforcement Task Force: The stakeholders
committee and other local land use attorneys
reviewed a draft ordinance regarding how the
County should process development permits on
properties that have outstanding code enforcement
complaints. They provided comments to staff by
February 18. Staff outlined the major points of
agreement and disagreement when the
stakeholders reconvened on April 23 to engage
in a group editing process. The revised language
will be presented to the Board at a future work
session where staff will seek further direction.
Staff contact: Peter Russell at Peter.Russell@
deschutes.org
Goal 11 (Sewer) Exception for Southern
Deschutes County: Staff from the County, DEQ,
and DLCD held public outreach meetings in the
afternoons and evenings of April 7 at the SHARC in
Sunriver and April 30 at the La Pine Senior Center.
The meetings outlined timelines for submittal of
a Goal 11 Exception for South County, roles and
responsibilities for the findings, and potential
timelines. Staff is now reviewing the
draft findings and Goal 11 Exception
area map based on the public’s comments.
DEQ/DLCD/Deschutes County will formally
apply to the County for a Goal 11 Exception,
and public hearings will be held before the
Planning Commission and then the Board of
County Commissioners. Currently, staff
anticipates the process to finalize the findings
will be April-May with the first evidentiary hearing
before the Planning Commission occurring in
early to mid July. Staff contacts: Nick Lelack,
Nick.Lelack@deschutes.org; Peter Gutowsky,
Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org; Peter Russell,
Peter.Russell@deschutes.org; and Todd
Cleveland, Todd.Cleveland@deschutes.org
Medical Marijuana: In March 2014, the BOCC
adopted an ordinance establishing a moratorium
on the operation of any marijuana dispensary in
any area subject to the jurisdiction of Deschutes
County. This ordinance included a sunset clause
resulting in the repeal of the ordinance on May 1,
2015. In anticipation of this repeal, the BOCC
held a public hearing on April 8 to review
proposed amendments to the Deschutes County
Code to define, permit, and establish standards
for medical marijuana dispensaries. The BOCC
approved the proposed amendments with
changes that include not permitting dispensaries
in the Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zone, limiting
the hours of operation to 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.,
and requiring dispensaries converting to a
recreational marijuana sales use to receive site
plan review approval. Staff contact: Matt Martin,
Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Natural Hazards Goal 7 Plan: The University of
Oregon’s Community Service Center (CSC)
students presented the results of their review
of County codes and policies regarding
natural hazards and mitigation. On
April 9, CSC presented to the
Planning Commission on floodplain and
on April 23 discussed wildfires. Will Groves,
County Floodplain Manager, and Ed Keith,
County Forester, and Alison Green, Project
Wildfire, assisted the students and participated in
the PC work sessions. Students assessed existing
code and policies while identifying best practices
from other organizations as well as model
ordinances. CSC will conduct a work session with
the Board on May 18. CSC will issue its report by
June 30. Staff contact: Peter Russell,
Peter.Russell@deschutes.org
Oregon Spotted Frog: On August 28, 2014 the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its
decision to extend protection to the Oregon
spotted frog as a threatened species under the
federal Endangered Species Act. The final rule
designating critical habitat is expected later this
summer. Once it is released, CDD will schedule a
work session with the BOCC and use a matrix to
discuss options for responding to critical habitat
from a land use standpoint. Staff contact: Peter
Gutowsky, Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org
Pilot Butte Canal: CDD received a request for a
Comprehensive Plan amendment to designate an
approximately one-mile segment of the Pilot Butte
Canal as a Goal 5 historic resource in the SR 2 ½
Zone (File No. 247-14-000373-HS). Upon review of
the submittal, a threshold issue emerged regarding
the timing of the application filing as it relates to a
previously submitted text amendment application,
File TA-13-4. Staff issued a decision rejecting the
application because TA-13-4 is pending and may
affect the subject properties. In addition, there is a
second procedural issue relating to ownership of
the canal that is addressed in the decision.
The BOCC approved an order initiating review of
this decision to provide deference on these issues
and the hearing was held on January 28. On
March 25, the BOCC upheld staff’s decision with a
3-0 vote. In response, the applicant has filed a
notice of intent to appeal with the Land Use Board
of Appeals (LUBA). A schedule for LUBA review has
not been determined at this time. It is worth
noting that the substantive merits of the request to
designate the canal as a historic resource are not
addressed by this decision. Staff contact: Matt
Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org.
A separate independent request has been
submitted to the State Advisory Committee on
Historic Preservation for review and
recommendation on whether general the same
segment of the Pilot Butte Canal should be
included on the National Register of Historic
Places. On February 19, the Committee
recommended approving the
nomination. The recommendation has
been forwarded to the State Historic
Preservation Officer for consideration. After a
public comment period ending May 21, the
Officer will then provide the State’s
recommendation the National Parks Service for a
final decision expected in July. On May 4, the
County Historic Landmarks Commission will be
discussing the nomination and participation in
the review process at its regular meeting. Staff
contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Sage-Grouse: As a cooperating agency, staff
continues to participate with the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), which in November 2013
released a draft programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for federal land use and
resource management plan (RMP) amendments
to incorporate sage-grouse conservation
measures in Central and Eastern Oregon. The
Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) are
expected in 2016.
Staff is also participating with the Governor’s
Office, Sage-Grouse Conservation Partnership.
This involves interagency and interstakeholder
coordination on issues related to sagebrush and
sage-grouse habitat conservation on non-federal
lands. The State’s goal is to demonstrate that
listing the sage-grouse as a threatened or
endangered species under the federal ESA is
unnecessary. The Land Conservation and
Development Commission (LCDC) recently
initiated rulemaking to address large scale
development and sage-grouse habitat. They
appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to
assist in the develop-ment of a draft rule. DLCD
anticipates the RAC will meet over a five month
period between March and July 2015. The
rulemaking process is expected to conclude with
an LCDC adoption of the rule at its July 24, 2015
meeting. Staff contact: Peter Gutowsky,
Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org
Transportation Planning Miscellany:
On April 15 and April 23 Planning and Road
Department staff met with City of La Pine staff
regarding two different proposed site plans on
Huntington Road. While La Pine has land use
authority, the County still remains the Road
Authority within the city for many of roadways
that are not state highways. City and County
staffs continue to coordinate so applicants and
developers receive a consistent answer on road
issues and traffic mitigations given this novel
situation. Staff contact: Peter Russell,
Peter.Russell@deschutes.org
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment
Grant: The Planning Division is in the second
year of administering a 3-year $400,000 U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant.
Brownfield redevelopment often requires
environmental site assessments (ESAs) and
regulatory review. Deschutes County is utilizing
$264,000 of the federal grant to stimulate the
cleanup and re-use of properties that are, or may
be, affected by hazardous substances, including
petroleum hydrocarbons. To help property owners
navigate these processes and access resources, the
grant offers resources to eligible property owners
throughout the County for Environmental Site
Assessments (ESAs). Phase I ESAs involve a review
of records, site inspections, and interviews with
owners, occupants, neighbors and local
government officials. Phase II ESAs include
sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm the
presence of hazardous materials. With the
assistance of a Brownfield Advisory Committee,
Deschutes County recently provided funding for
five Phase I and three Phase II ESAs.
The grant also dedicates $90,000 for Area Wide
Planning (AWP). AWP offers resources to conduct
research, technical assistance and training that can
result in an area-wide plan and implementation
strategy for key brownfield sites. T his information
can then help inform the assessment, cleanup and
reuse of brownfield properties and promote area-
wide revitalization. The Mid-Town area of
Redmond’s downtown is the beneficiary of these
resources. The timing and readiness to utilize AWP
funding offer extraordinary advantages for the City
of Redmond. It dovetails with their existing efforts
to revitalize the area, including an urban renewal
district, market analysis, and housing study. The
next Area Wide Planning public workshop is
scheduled on May 7 at 5:30 at Redmond City Hall.
More information is available at CDD’s website:
http://www.deschutes.org/Community-
Development/Regional-Projects-and-Resources/
EPA-Community-wide-Brownfield-Assessment-
Grant.aspx. Staff contact: Peter Gutowsky,
Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org
STAFF DIRECTORY
NNNAMEAMEAME TTTITLEITLEITLE PPPHONEHONEHONE EEEMAILMAILMAIL
Nick Lelack Director (541) 385-1708 Nick.Lelack@deschutes.org
Tim Berg GIS Analyst/Programmer (541) 330-4648 Tim.Berg@deschutes.org
Paul Blikstad Senior Planner (541) 388-6554 Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Dale Brieske Building Inspector III—Electrical (541) 388-6614 Dale.Brieske@deschutes.org
Sher Buckner Administrative Secretary (541) 617-4736 Sher.Buckner@deschutes.org
Todd Cleveland Environmental Health Supervisor (541) 617-4714 Todd.Cleveland@deschutes.org
Rainer Doerge Building Inspector III (541) 385-1702 Rainer.Doerge@deschutes.org
Scott Farm Building Inspector III (541) 385-1402 Scott.Farm@deschutes.org
Lori Furlong Administrative Manager (541) 317-3122 Lori.Furlong@deschutes.org
Chris Gracia Assistant Building Official (541) 388-6578 Chris.Gracia@deschutes.org
Tracy Griffin Permit Technician (541) 388-6573 Tracy.Griffin@deschutes.org
John Griley Code Enforcement Technician (541) 617-4708 John.Griley@deschutes.org
William Groves Senior Planner (541) 388-6518 William.Groves@deschutes.org
Peter Gutowsky Planning Manager (541) 385-1709 Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org
Judy Hackett Permit Technician (541) 385-1713 Judy.Hackett@deschutes.org
Caroline House Permit Technician (541) 317-3148 Caroline.House@deschutes.org
Dave Imel Building Inspector III (541) 385-1701 David.Imel@deschutes.org
Steven Jensen Building Inspector III—Plumbing (541) 385-1700 Steven.Jensen@deschutes.org
Anthony Laemmle Code Enforcement Technician (541) 385-1707 Anthony.Laemmle@deschutes.org
Jennifer Lawrence Permit Technician (541) 385-1405 Jennifer.L.Lawrence@deschutes.org
Matt Martin Associate Planner (541) 330-4620 Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Brian Moore Building Inspector I (541) 323-5221 Brian.Moore@deschutes.org
Lisa Petersen Permit Technician (541) 317-3188 Lisa.Petersen@deschutes.org
Anthony Raguine Senior Planner (541) 617-4739 Anthony.Raguine@deschutes.org
Peter Russell Senior Transportation Planner (541) 383-6718 Peter.Russell@deschutes.org
Randy Scheid Building Safety Director (541) 317-3137 Randy.Scheid@deschutes.org
Martha Shields Permit Technician (541) 385-1706 Martha.Shields@deschutes.org
Chris Schmoyer Associate Planner (541) 317-3164 Chris.Schmoyer@deschutes.org
Cynthia Smidt Associate Planner (541) 317-3150 Cynthia.Smidt@deschutes.org
Kathleen Stockton Administrative Assistant (541) 317-3193 Kathleen.Stockton@deschutes.org
Dan Swarthout Building Inspector III (541) 385-1745 Dan.Swarthout@deschutes.org
Richard Wright Building Inspector III (541) 617-4746 Richard.Wright@deschutes.org
To request this newsletter in an alternate format, call (541) 330-4640.