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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIssues by Theme 032612South County Plan (SCP) Issues by Theme as of 3-19-12 Deschutes County Community Development Department Planning Division Land Use/Economic Development: Balance rural growth with retaining rural character High groundwater lots that can’t be developed Regulation issues e.g. tax lot/property line disputes or development without permits Commercial/industrial growth in La Pine/Sunriver Neighborhood commercial Small Destination Resorts (no residences) Jobs for adults and teens Internet access Transportation: Paving/maintenance of rural roads Highway 97 e.g. traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, Wickiup Junction, additional lanes Bicycle paths N/S road up the west side of the basin Public transit expansion and increased local service Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Surface and groundwater quality Wildlife habitat (spotted frogs) River issues e.g. stream flows, fish populations, wetlands, floodplains, channel migration zones Coordination with USFS and BLM Wildfire preparedness Recreation/Other: Additional parks and trails Better access to parks and trails for those with disabilities Park district coverage of 3 Rivers area River access improvements/alternative to Harper Bridge boat ramp Coordination on recreational tourism opportunities including a South County website for all events/ activities/commercial facilities Services for an aging population South County Community College branch/education retraining center Community greenhouse Enhanced law enforcement Better intergovernmental coordination Better understanding of Newberry geothermal project 24 hour health care facility Coordinate with Klamath County South County identity Poverty South County includes all townships and ranges with existing development, from Sunriver to the Klamath County border, minus Sunriver and the City of La Pine. Comprehensive Plan Update South County Issues by SCP Theme Between 2008-2011 Deschutes County completed an update of the County-wide Comprehensive Plan, the set of land use policies that guide growth and conservation. The update included extensive public out- reach, including information gathering meetings in La Pine and Sunriver. Additionally, the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners held public hearings on the proposed updated Com- prehensive Plan in La Pine. In a separate but related process, the Transportation System Plan (TSP) section of the Comprehensive Plan is being revised. The updated TSP is anticipated to be adopted into the Comprehensive Plan some- time in the next few months. Transportation issues raised are also included in the issues below. Commonly Raised Issues Land Use/Economic Development: A moratorium on destination resorts Develop code for grey water reuse Promote local businesses and economic development Delete the Regional Problem Solving for South Deschutes County section A South County Community Plan is needed Obsolete neighborhoods need to be addressed Illegal developments need to be addressed Transportation: Public transportation is needed, consider railway Bicycle lanes are needed Paving and maintaining roads Winter safety on US 97 More park and ride lots, especially 97/State Rec Road Future La Pine Bypass Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Illegal docks impact river banks and water quality Encourage alternative energy Retain good quality agricultural lands Recommendation for a policy that the County will work with Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Land Conservation and Development on groundwater quality issues Need mitigations for potential natural disasters, food shortages The Interagency Wildlife report is too restrictive Recreation/Other: Importance of recreational uses of the forest Need for local input to be heard, local preferences acknowledged Private property rights need to be protected Lack of trust with the County based on the local rule process Primary Program Initiated Land Use/Economic Development: The current South County Plan process South County High Groundwater Issues by SCP Theme The High Groundwater program was initiated in 2008 to address land use and water quality in South County. Over 1,500 lots in South County are estimated to be undevelopable for residential use due to groundwater that rises to within 24 inches of natural ground surface. Under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rules, no septic system can be installed in these conditions. However, a septic feasibility (site evaluation) is required for each lot to determine if characteristics of the property indicate the water table rises within 24 inches of the ground surface at any time. If current rules change and the lots become available for development through either sewers or on-site septic systems, it is important to understand the cumulative impacts of that potential development. In a series of public meetings the impacts on wildlife habitat, wetlands, wildland-urban interface, open space, floodplains and transportation were discussed. Public input was provided at five community meetings through instant electronic voting. First Meetings: Top Issues by Vote Land Use/Economic Development: Maintain the area’s rural character Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Reduce wildfire hazards Protect the Deschutes River Maintain/protect drinking water supplies Preserve open space Recreation/Other: Maintain affordability in South Deschutes County Involve the community in decisions affecting South Deschutes County Second Meetings: Preferred Futures by Vote Land Use/Economic Development: Rural development conservation Allow development of high groundwater lots Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Strategic protection for natural resources Extend firewise standards Third Meeting: Growth and Development Issues by Vote Land Use/Economic Development: Opposition to new destination resorts Oregon DEQ and sewer districts leading the formation or expansion of sewer districts Transportation: Deschutes County leading an effort to construct and pave roads Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Protecting high priority natural resources pertaining to wildlife, fish habitat, rivers, streams, wet- lands, forests and groundwater quality Firewise practices with an emphasis on education Recreation/Other: Community Involvement South County Regional Problem Solving Issues by SCP Theme The Regional Problem Solving Project for South Deschutes County (RPS) began in July 1996 with the support of a grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). DLCD awarded a second grant for the RPS project in October 1997. The project was one of four pilot projects authorized by the State Legislature. It was initiated to address concerns raised over increasing development on lots platted in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Over 12,000 small lots (Less than 2 acres) were created along river corridors, in floodplains and wetlands and in wildlife habitat. Because these are rural lots, they are generally not on public water or sewer systems and few of the roads are paved. During the RPS program a wide variety of stakeholders, including the general public, evaluated the effects of those rural lots developing. An extensive public process resulted in residents expressing apprehension over the potential of losing the rural character of the area and identifying four primary growth-related issues that needed to be addressed (see below). The Regional Problem Solving for South Deschutes County section was adopted into the County Comprehensive Plan in 1998 and a number of solutions were proposed for the identified issues. In 2002 a Transfer of Development Credit program was initiated to transfer some future residential development from rural ‘sending areas’ to land purchased from the Bureau of Land Management, the ‘receiving area’. This market based approach was intended to transfer new growth to a more urban neighborhood served by sewer, water, paved roads and other amenities. This program was amended in 2006 to further address the groundwater quality concerns. The most recent effort, a local rule to require nitrate- reducing on-site systems, was repealed by voters in 2009. Primary Issues Raised Transportation: More air pollution from traffic on unpaved roads Natural Resources/Natural Hazards: Groundwater pollution that could affect drinking water and public health Increased threat of forest fire Additional loss of wildlife habitat, including mule deer migration corridors and riparian and wetland habitat Primary Programs Initiated / Established Transferable Development Credit program (1999-2003); Pollution Reduction Credit program (2006). Both are voluntary programs that provide financial compensation to reduce density and upgrade septeic systems La Pine New Neighborhood, a master planned community served by La Pine Water and Sewer District. Property purchased by Deschutes County from BLM. Property is the receiving area for transferable developmental credits. Currently occupies residential neighborhoods and Rosland Elementary School. Property implemented wildland fuel management requirements. Environmental Protection Agency Grant (5.5 million dollars) to monitor sampling wells and test water quality; install, test and monitor experimental on-site septic systems; develop three dimensional model for groundwater. Oregon Water Wonderland II Sanitary District Upgrade/Expansion Adopted High Priority Deer Migration Zone, prohibiting destination resorts in a sub-area of south county. Local Rule for upgrading septic systems to nitrogen-reducing systems 2008 (repealed 2009 through a voter initiative)