Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - 03 (Mar) Community Development UpdateCCCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT DDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTEPARTMENT March 4, 2015 From the Director’s Desk: Building Safety This is the year of the winter slowdown that never materialized. The days are getting longer and so is the daily inspection list. We have seen many days with over 120 inspections and a few with over 140. Our two residential plans examiners are hard at work keeping our plan review turnaround times down, and the multi-certified Building Inspectors are helping ease the workload by being able to conduct all four residential inspection disciplines in their territories. We have three inspectors scheduled to take a Building Codes Division (BCD)-provided class to allow them to conduct commercial electrical and commercial plumbing inspections. These new BCD-provided certification categories, called SEI and SPI for Specialized Electrical Inspector and Specialized Plumbing Inspector, will really help increase our efficiencies by allowing the inspection of simple commercial projects which make up the vast majority of our commercial electrical and commercial plumbing inspections in the County. We are currently advertising to fill our open Building Inspector III position, which will bring us back to level after the recent retirement of our Building Official and subsequent inter-department promo- tions. We have requested another full-time employee for this spring as permit volumes and workloads continue to grow and show no signs of slowing down. The recently released Portland State University Annual Population Report (http:// www.pdx.edu/prc/population-estimates-0) reflected the reality that we are all experiencing in this rebounding economy. Due to the new economic reality of having all inspectors multi-certified for efficiency, we have found that releasing them for active solo duty requires longer periods from their hire dates to release dates. The requested FTE will bring our Division up to 11 FTE’s - far less than the high seen in 2006. Today, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) affirmed a County Hearings Officer’s decision that the Tumalo Irrigation District’s (TID) Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) to approve a water transfer from Tumalo Reservoir to two new reservoirs at the Klippel Mining Pit was issued in error. Specifically, the BOCC agreed that the Planning Director has the discretion to process the LUCS as a land use action, but the new reservoirs require conditional use permit (CUP) approvals, including the use of the reservoirs for large-scale recreational activities (water skiing). The BOCC is also addressing a number of other high-profile land use applications and issues summarized in this newsletter, including the Shepherd Private Park CUP for weddings and wedding receptions; the Pilot Butte Canal historic designation application and text amendment to permit piping; and text amendments to permit medical marijuana dispensaries in rural zones. The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on the medical marijuana dispensaries text amendments on March 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Deschutes Services Center. The newsletter highlights several other long-range planning efforts in process, including agricultural lands designation; Goal 11 Exception application; US EPA Brownfield Grant implementation; Code Enforcement Task Force text amendment preparation; Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grant (CLG) submittal; Central Oregon Large-Lot Industrial Land Program implementation; sage-grouse protection rulemaking; and much more. CDD’s business volumes remain robust across all divisions. For example, the Building Division issued 27 new home permits in February, 2015, up from 10 in February, 2014. The Division has issued 245 new home permits this fiscal year (July 1-February 28), up from 200 over the same period in 2014, and 112 in 2013. The Planning, Environmental Soils, and Code Enforcement Divisions are each experiencing similar levels of activity. To meet the sustained high level of business volume needs, CDD is in the process of filling four budgeted, vacant positions: Building Inspector III (closes on March 9), Associate Planner (closed, interviews scheduled), Code Enforcement Technician (recruitment to be initiated next week), and Environmental Soils Supervisor (recruitment to be initiated by mid-March). For more information, please check out our new County webpage at www.deschutes.org, or contact us directly. For current information on upcoming meetings, hearings., etc., please refer to the following link: 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.” The Deschutes County Planning Commission held three hearings on the proposed text amendment, on February 13, March 13, and March 27, 2014. On May 8, the Planning Commission made a recommendation for denial of the text amendment application to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The BOCC held a public hearing on the proposed text amendment on July 2. The oral record was closed at the hearing, and the written record was left open until July 16. 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 13 and voted to extend the review of the application. A final decision is expected in April 2015. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad; Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org 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 EFU to RI and a goal exception was submitted for a 21.58-acre site, located at Deschutes Junction (Tax Map 16-12-27D, Tax Lot 104). This project is currently on hold, as requested by the applicant. 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. A public hearing before the Deschutes County Hearings Officer was conducted on October 7, 2014. 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 is summarized on page 1. Staff contact: Anthony Raguine, Anthony.Raguine@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. A public hearing before the Hearings Officer was held on Thursday, November 20, 2014. The record closes on January 13, 2015. A decision is expected in early March of 2015. Staff contact: Anthony Raguine; Anthony.Raguine@deschutes.org Tetherow Vacation Homes LLC (247-14-000/ 431-MC, 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, 3 development tracts, 9 common area tracts, and 5 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. The application includes Modification of Approval to amend the Conceptual Master Plan (“CMP”) and Final Master Plan (“FMP”) for the Tetherow Destination Resort to reduce the required availability of individually owned overnight lodging units to the general public from 45 to 38 weeks per calendar year, as currently allowed under DCC 19.106 and state law and to amend the Vehicle and Pedestrian Access Plan for Commercial /Recreational Development. 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, and lessen the requirements for expanding existing manufactured home parks in the same zone. The Planning Commission held a work session regarding this text amendment on June 12, 2014, and three public hearings on July 10, August 28, and October 9. The Planning Commission closed the hearing on October 9, deliberated and recommended approving Knight’s proposal and denying Robertson’s. A public hearing before the BOCC occurred on Wednesday, March 4, 2014 at the BOCC’s Business Meeting. The hearing has been continued to March 16. Staff contact: Paul 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 held a hearing on June 4, 2014 and rendered an oral decision by a 2-1 vote on July 7, 2014 holding that the CMP had been initiated. The BOCC issued its written decision 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. These applications were heard before the County Hearings Officer, who approved them in a written decision dated September 29, 2014. During the 12-day appeal period following the written decision, 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 appeal was then taken to the BOCC for a determination as to whether or not they would hear the appeal. The BOCC decided not to hear the appeal, under Order No.2014-036, which was mailed to all parties on November 25, 2014. A Notice of Intent to Appeal to LUBA was received on December 11. The LUBA record has been prepared. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad, Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org Widgi Creek (247-14-000391-TP, 247-14-000393- SP, and 247-14-000394-LM): The Deschutes County 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. Staff contact: Will Groves; William.Groves@ Widgi Creek(247-14-000395-TP, 247-14- 000396-SP, and 247-14-000397-LM): The Deschutes County 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. 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 their 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 approximately 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. A hearing before the BOCC was held on November 12, 2014. The BOCC deliberated on the LUBA remand decision on December 15, 2014 and orally approved the Plan Amendment/Zone Change, and requested the applicant draft an initial written decision, subject to staff review and BOCC approval. A formal written decision by the BOCC was issued on January 29, 2015. A Notice of Intent to Appeal the decision to LUBA was submitted on February 23, 2014. 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 (247-14- 000401-MC) 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. By Order 2014-046, dated December 29, 2014, the BOCC initiated review of this application under DCC 22.28.050 through a de novo hearing. On December 30, 2014, Central Oregon LandWatch filed a timely appeal of this application. The notice of appeal identifies six objections to the administrative decision. A de novo public hearing before the BOCC was held on February 2, 2015. BOCC deliberations are scheduled for March 16, 2015. Staff contact: William Groves; William.Groves@deschutes.org Shepherd Private Park (247-14- 000228-CU and 229-SP): On February 3, 2015, staff issued an administrative approval of a conditional permit and site plan review (247- 14-000 228-CU and 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. By Order 2015-011, dated February 4, 2015, the BOCC initiated review of this application under DCC 22.28.050. A de novo public hearing before the BOCC occurred on March 2, 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 to explore HB 2229, also known as the Big Look Bill, as it relates to correcting mapping errors of resource designated lands (includes forest lands). Two major developments regarding this project have occurred over the last two months. First, DLCD sent Deschutes County a letter in response to several interpretation questions regarding implementing this law. In short, the agency has several significant concerns/objections with the County’s proposed approach. Based on DLCD’s letter, County staff would be required to undertake a new approach requiring significantly more resources (staff, budget, and time) to implement this law. Second, the Planning Commission asked staff to contact former CDD Director John Anderson (1978-85) regarding the County’s process to designate lands as resource and exception lands, in compliance with the then-new Statewide Planning Law. The County thoroughly and thoughtfully designated every property based on the best available data at the time and per DLCD’s direction. The County asked the agency for more flexibility, but the agency did not grant it. Staff developed a matrix of options for the Planning Commission’s consideration on whether and how to move forward on February 26. Its input will ultimately be shared with the BOCC at a subsequent work session. Staff contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org Bend Airport Master Plan Update: The City of Bend is in a holding pattern after a January 12 meeting regarding submitting 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: 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 Intergovernmental Council (COIC) for consideration. The next two quarterly deadlines for submission to COIC are March 31 and June 30 respectively. Once a candidate site is received, COIC’s Board will review it at a May or August meeting. If they endorse it, 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 Grant: Every 24 months, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) offers matching grants to cities and counties that have been “certified” as historic preservation partners with both the state and federal govern- ments. Deschutes County is a Certified Local Government (CLG). CLG grants assist local govern- ments with their historic preservation programs on a non-competitive basis in order to ensure that all localities benefit. The maximum award for each locality is $13,000.00 based on fund availability and requires a 50/50 match of local funds or donated services/supplies. State and federal requirements regulate the CLG grant, including project budget, project timeline, inspections and audits, reports and billings, consultant/contractor standards, etc. CDD received the support of the BOCC and HLC and submitted an application for the 2015-2016 grant cycle. Staff contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@ deschutes.org. Code Enforcement Task Force: A stakeholders committee met January 6 to discuss whether the County should process development permits on properties with outstanding code enforcement complaints. The group reviewed the ways other counties addressed the issue and agreed that portions of the develop-ment codes of Multnomah and Jefferson counties offered a possible solution. Staff crafted draft code language and distributed it for comment to the stakeholders group and several local land use attorneys. Staff is now processing comments received and revising the draft code language. The revised language will be sent back to the stakeholders committee in March and will likely result in a second stakeholders’ meeting. Ultimately, staff will report the results of the meetings to the BOCC and await further direction. Staff contact: Peter Russell, Peter.Russell@ deschutes.org. Goal 11 (Sewer) Exception for Southern Deschutes County: Staff met January 21 with DLCD and DEQ staff regarding timelines for submittal of a Goal 11 Exception for South County, roles and responsibilities for the findings, and potential timelines. Staff recapped the meeting to the Planning Commission at a Jan. 8 work session and to the BOCC at a February 4 work session. Staff is now reviewing the draft findings. DEQ, DLCD, and the County agreed to hold public outreach meetings in South County from roughly 1-4 p.m. and again from 6-8 p.m. Those meetings will occur on April 7 at the SHARC in Sunriver and April 30 at the La Pine Senior Center. After the public meetings, the agencies will meet again to see if the draft findings need further revision. Once the findings are finished, 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 BOCC. 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 Harper Bridge Access Task Force: The task force has issued a report looking at each of the four quadrants of the bridge as a potential long- term solution to the challenges of access to the Deschutes River. Staff is coordinating with the Sunriver Owners Association and stakeholders on next steps, likely to be initiated this spring. Staff contact: Nick Lelack, Nick.Lelack@deschutes.org Historic Preservation Strategic Plan: After a comprehensive public outreach campaign, the first historic preservation strategic plan for rural Deschutes County and the City of Sisters has been completed and received final acknowledgment by both the BOCC and the Sisters City Council. The strategic plan will provide a framework for shaping the rural County’s and Sisters’ preservation programs and services over the next five years and create a blueprint for allocating Certified Local Government (CLG) grant funding. For more information please visit www.deschutes.org/Community-Development/ Historic-Landmarks.aspx. Staff contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org. Medical Marijuana: On March 17, 2014, the BOCC adopted Ordinance No. 2014-008 establishing a moratorium on the operation of any marijuana dispensary in any area subject to the jurisdiction of Deschutes sunset clause resulting in the repeal of the ordinance on May 1, 2015. In anticipation of this repeal, CDD has initiated amendments to the Deschutes County Code to define, permit, and establish standards for medical marijuana dispensaries. The record is now open for public and agency comments. A public hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 12. A Planning Commission recommendation will be forwarded to the BOCC, which has a hearing planned for April 15. For more information visit www.deschutes.org/cd/page/medical-and- recreational-marijuana-land-use-regulation. Staff contact: Matt Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org. Natural Hazards Goal 7 Plan: The University of Oregon’s Community Service Center (CSC) is reviewing the County codes and policies regarding natural hazards and mitigation. CSC is assessing Comprehensive Plan Section 3.5 and Policies 3.5.1, 3.5.4, and 3.5.11. CSC and staff agreed the focus is on wildfire and floods. Staff involved with FireWise Communities as well as floodplain zoning met with CSC students on February 10. The meeting dealt with existing County Code, national programs for mitigating wildfire and floods, and current County practices. CSC is conducting a national review of other jurisdictions’ codes and policies to gauge whether some may be suitable for the County to adopt as well as identifying best practices and model ordinances. CSC’s work will ultimately aid the County in determining what needs to be updated in the County’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan and Deschutes County Community Wildfire Plans. CSC will conduct work sessions with the Planning Commission on April 9 and 23 and with the BOCC 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 spring. 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. On December 15, the BOCC approved a staff-recommended order initiating review of this decision to provide deference on these issues. The hearing before the BOCC is scheduled for January 28 at 10:00 a.m. during the regular business meeting. 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 recommenda- tion 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. 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 sage brush 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. The LCDC appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to assist in the development of a draft rule. The first meeting occurred on March 2 in Prineville. 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 Transferable Development Credit (TDC) Advisory Committee: The TDC Advisory Committee convened on August 21 and conducted a total of five meetings. On December 18, members reviewed a matrix of options and identified their top two choices: 1) maintain the status quo; and, 2) reconvene the committee in 24 to 36 months. The BOCC supported the recommendation on February 4. Staff contacts: Nick Lelack, Nick.Lelack@ deschutes.org; Peter Gutowsky, Peter.Gutowsky@ deschutes.org; and Todd Cleveland, Todd.Cleveland@deschutes.org Transportation Planning Miscellany: On January 7, Planning and Road Department staff participated in an All Roads Transportation Safety (ARTS) forum with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). ARTS is a new program that looks at crash history for trends and countermeasures regardless of jurisdiction. Additionally, safety monies will be organized on more a corridor approach, rather than dedicated to specific hot spots. Finally, the emphasis is on low-cost, high-benefit countermeasures that can be constructed proactively. Staff contact: Peter Russell, Peter.Russell@deschutes.org. Planning staff attended the February 12 Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting to discuss the upcoming 2018-2021Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP will again be divided into Fix It and Enhance categories and local governments and ODOT will submit grant-like applications for Enhance funds for projects. The TAC discussed revisions ODOT has made to the STIP application process based on feedback from the previous STIP. ODOT is also looking at a Freight Plan for US 97 and sought TAC comments. Staff contact: Peter Russell, Peter.Russell@deschutes.org. Staff participated in a US 97: Bend to Redmond Safety meeting on March 2. ODOT is reviewing the crash history of the corridor and identifying potential countermeasures and facility management. Staff contact: 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 four 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. This 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. 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 Spec. III (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 Steven Jensen Building Inspector III—Plumbing (541) 385-1700 Steven.Jensen@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 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 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 Jim Williams Building Inspector II (541) 323-5221 James.Williams@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.