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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-26 - Planning Commission Minutesz 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 JUNE 28, 2012 — 5:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Merle Irvine. Members present were Vice Chair Chris Brown, Ed Criss, James Powell and Todd Turner. Absent: Bill Rainey. Staff present were Nick Lelack, Planning Director; Terri Payne, Senior Planner; and Sher Buckner, Administrative Secretary. Minutes of February 9 and February 23, 2012 were approved. II. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ron Bures spoke about the boat launch at Harper's Bridge and would like to see the project move forward. Nick updated the Commissioners on this process. The County has been working on this for at least three years and has met with a large stakeholder group. The group nominated a couple of chairs and has worked through some possible solutions but there are no definitive recommendations at this point. Mr. Burras has not submitted a formal application at this time and would need setback approval. In this jurisdiction, the Planning Commission would not review the application, which would submitted to the County. Commissioner Powell asked if this is something that should be incorporated as part of the South County Plan instead of acting on it separately. Nick said that the South County Plan does contain a policy to continue to work towards solutions for this issue. We have not explored the full range of options at the County level. Vice Chair Brown asked if we are removing a ramp, and Nick said that in the early 1990's, when Crosswater was approved, the decision required that public boat launch facilities be provided at Harper's Bridge. The area has since grown in popularity and there are dangers with kids running across the road, etc. Parking isn't allowed along that area, and one of the questions is whether the area should remain open or potentially expand north. Vice Chair Brown asked if a private individual can get a permit to put a boat ramp on the river. Nick said yes if they meet a series of Code provisions; and State law, wetlands and zoning would need to be considered. Vice Chair Brown asked if the requirements were Quality Services Performed zvith Pride the same for public and private uses, and Nick said there would be additional requirements for ADA if it was a public use. Ron said that he proposed to pay for this at the beginning of the process, as long as he got the needed zoning on the other piece of property. It would be $550,000 to build a boat launch. When Crosswater was given an okay to put the boat launch by the bridge, one month later, August 1994, they came back and said they didn't know that Harper Bridge was going to be widened. That would make the site unacceptable and unsafe and they were given one year to find another site; nothing has been done as of 18 years later. This needs to be shut down. Nick said that the group working on this had evaluated 10-15 different sites; Ron added that there were seven and everyone flatly refused to do anything with it except one. Nick and Ron discussed the County's involvement to date. The County's position is that there is no Code Enforcement case. There are safety issues that need to be addressed, but no land use issue. If the County receives an application, it will go to hearings officer for a public hearing. Commissioner Powell wondered if the South County Plan advocated for this project, whether would it give credence to an application. Nick said the South County Plan could be more specific if the Commissioners wished. Ron Sharbaugh wanted to thank Terri for her work on the South County Plan and also thanked the Planning Commissioners for their efforts including the recent drive they took in South County. III. SOUTH COUNTY PLAN UPDATE — Terri Hansen Payne, Senior Planner. Terri said we've been working on the Plan for six months, including a partnership meeting in February, meetings in March to prioritize issues, closer review of issues in April and May and working with partners, and the last meetings will be coming up in July. We've been to three homeowner organization meetings with three more scheduled; we've been in contact with many other groups and have more outreach meetings scheduled. We have done a few 15 -minute telephone interviews with folks who don't come to the meetings. There was a survey on the website with 54 responses — 65% said the quality of life there is good. All of the responses were turned into a vision statement and goals and policies. There are many active community organizations in South County including the Upper Deschutes River Coalition and a higher education committee. There are eight themes in the goals and policies; we've broken them up into three sessions for public input. On July 31 and August 1 we will hold more community meetings to further refine the goals and policies. There will be a notice in the tax bills after that so every member in the area has a chance to participate. Nick added that we will work with the Planning Commission in July to see if they would like to see any changes to the draft policies based on public input. After more meetings with the community, there will be a 45 -day notice issued and the formal process will begin. Terri and the Commissioners discussed more of the policies and the public process. Matt Lisignoli asked if there is any consideration for community -wide fire suppression such as using fire hydrants. Terri said the Upper Deschutes River Coalition is involved with fire suppression, and Joe Stutler (County Forester) is also working with South Country. Matt wondered if we could add something about recommended fire hydrants every few miles, for example. Terri said that the infrastructure would be expensive but she could look into it. She would think it is just too expensive. Commissioner Turner wondered if we should consider adding the Oregon Department of Forestry on the list of participants, and Terri agreed that was a good idea. Commissioner Powell said that Woodside Ranch just went through this process and the Bend Rural Fire Department does not make the assumption that there will be any water available when their group goes to a fire. Unless a hydrant can give them almost 1,000 gpm, it is hard for them to use it. If a fire is moving rapidly, equipment also will not be tethered. Matt mentioned that there is a safety/green area at Odin Falls. Commissioner Powell spoke about fines for a lack of defensible space if a fire goes through someone's area. Commissioner Powell also mentioned the positive comments he has heard from South County about how involved they feel with the Plan process and how much they appreciate the meetings. IV. PLANNING DIVISION (WORK PLAN/PROJECTS & STAFFING) UPDATE: — Nick Lelack, Planning Director. Nick discussed Terri's pending retirement this fall and how priorities may change with the reduced staffing level. We do not expect to replace this position for a while due to budget considerations. The major projects we are working on include the South County Plan; the Regional Economic Opportunity Analysis which will come back in the fall; the Transportation System Plan Update which is still underway; the bicycle map which will be updated after that; the airport master plan update with the City of Bend; the Redmond 19th Street extension to Quarry Ave.; and the non -resource lands policy program. V. PLANNING COMMISSION & STAFF COMMENTS Todd Turner submitted a proposed proclamation in support of an OSU-Cascades four-year campus in Central Oregon. Vice Chair Brown and Commissioner Turner spoke about the City of Bend which is looking for an available parcel. Juniper Ridge is not under consideration. Vice Chair Brown wanted to make sure that this proclamation is broad enough to include whatever entity can accomplish this. Motion: Commissioner Criss motioned to adopt the proclamation as written. Seconded by Vice Chair Brown. Nick suggested that Redmond may also be interested. Motion passed. VI. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sher Buckner Administrative Secretary 3