HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - 07 (Jul) Community Development UpdateCCCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT DDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTEPARTMENT
July 16, 2015
From the Director’s Desk:
For current information on upcoming meetings, hearings., etc., please refer to the following link:
www.deschutes.org/calendar
The end of the fiscal year (2014-15) on June 30 coincided with
term limits for two long-term Deschutes County Planning
Commissioners: Christen Brown (At-Large) and Todd Turner (Bend
Area). Commissioners Turner and Brown made enormous
contributions to Deschutes County during their tenures and
deserve special recognition for their work on a number of major
projects such as the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation
System Plan Updates, Destination Resort Remapping, three
community plans, and text amendments addressing a range of
issues from commercial events on farmland to small wind energy
to piping canals. We wish them well!
We welcome new Planning Commissioners Maggie Kirby (Bend
Area) and Dale Crawford (At-Large), who will jump right into a
major project – an application for a Goal 11 Exception in Southern
Deschutes County to provide options to treat wastewater (details
inside). I am also pleased to welcome new staff Angie Havinear,
permit technician, Larry Howard, environmental health specialist,
and Ruth Herzer, on-call planner, to help us meet our increasing
business needs.
CDD’s planning and development permits were up sharply again
in FY 2014-15. Planning permits increased by 31%, new single
family home permits by 28%, and septic evaluations
by 23% over FY 2013-14. Specifically:
Planning issued 610 permits in FY 14-15, up from
467 in FY 13-14, 451 in FY 12-13, and 385 in
FY 11-12.
393 new single family home permits were issued in
FY 14-15, up from 308 in FY 13-14, 218 in
FY 12-13, and 127 in FY 11-12.
150 septic evaluations were conducted in FY 14-15,
up from 122 in FY 13-14, 101 in FY 12-13, and
74 in FY 11-12.
In June, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
adopted CDD’s FY 2015-16 budget, which increased
from $6.2 million to $7.2 million and full-time
equivalent employees from 33 to 35. In addition, we
continued to rebuild our reserve funds in order to
provide a consistent level of quality customer
services during economic downturns.
The BOCC also adopted CDD’s Annual
Report and Work Plan for FY 2015-16
(available online at
www.deschutes.org/cd). Significant
projects include: sustaining high
levels of customer service with
increasing development activity,
expanding online and e-permitting
services, completing a Comprehensive
User Fee Study and Five-Year
Operating Plan, processing the Goal 11
Exception application, coordinating
with Bend and Redmond on UGB
amendments, regulating recreational
marijuana, protecting sage-grouse
and spotted frog habitat, initiating
text amendments to address natural
hazards, administering the $400,000
US EPA Brownfield Grant, and much
more.
Commissioner Unger (Board), Commissioner Brown (Planning
Commission), Commissioner Turner (Planning Commission)
and Commissioner DeBone (Board)
Coordinated Services
Welcome Angie Havniear! Angie has been
hired as a permit technician and started with us
on June 8th. This additional position will give
the permit techs some much-needed help with
increasing business volumes.
Code Enforcement has been experiencing a high
volume of complaints being submitted so far this
year. Staff have had to prioritize their caseloads,
taking imminent health and safety violations as
top priority, then working the remainder of the
cases as time permits. A large number of cases
currently pending have significant complexity that
results in considerable staff resources during a
very busy development season. Code
Enforcement staff have been diligently working on
the complaints that have been submitted and will
be addressing all complaints as soon as possible.
Building Safety
Here we are, soon after Summer Solstice 2015,
living the reality of Portland State University
Demographers’ predictions of continued growth in
Central Oregon. The secret is out—as the bumper
sticker says, “Our life is your vacation.” Many
people want to enjoy the quality of life that our
region provides on a year-round basis. For the
Building Safety Division, this means building
activity, and quite a bit of it. We have been
experiencing from 100 to 140 daily inspection
requests on a regular basis.
Building Inspectors Dan Swarthout and David Imel
are finishing up their specialized electrical inspector
certifications, which will allow them to conduct
limited commercial electrical inspections and help
with our efficiencies in the electrical department.
The rest of the inspection staff have been heroic
in their efforts to complete their full load of daily
inspections, especially when we are short a person
or two due to vacations or illness. We also send
out our plan review staff to conduct field
inspections during the busiest days.
There is a new face associated with the City of
Sisters contract, and his name is Brian Moore.
Brian is a former roof truss designer and has
picked up residential plan review very quickly.
Brian reports directly to our Sisters office, at
Sisters City Hall, on all weekdays except
Wednesdays.
We have also been approved for a new full-time
employee to help add some depth to our
bench. Hopefully we will have the right
candidate in place and up to speed
before the fall equinox.
Environmental Soils
Welcome to Larry Howard, our new Environmental
Soils staff member! Larry comes to Deschutes
County from Indiana and previously Arizona.
Larry has worked in the onsite industry in those
other states and has been licensed as an
Environmental Health Specialist for over 20 years.
Larry looks forward to helping out with the high
workloads we have in Deschutes County.
Environmental Soils will have two full-time
employees, and Dan Haldeman is still helping out
as on-call staff. Our permit levels for last year
exceeded 1000 and an additional 150 site
evaluations for new development. We will have
plenty for Larry to do around here, so we’re glad
you’re with us!
Current Planning
Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) Text
Amendment (TA-13-4): COID has withdrawn the
application, which is no longer before the County.
Staff contact: Paul Blikstad;
Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Brown Limited Use Permit (247-15-000061-A,
247-14-000202-LUP): J.R. Brown applied for a
Limited Use permit to allow up to six commercial
events (weddings) in the Exclusive Farm Use Zone
for the property located at 4691 SW Helmholtz
Way, Redmond. The Hearings Officer approved the
application on May 6, 2015. Staff contact: Cynthia
Smidt; Cynthia.Smidt@deschutes.org
Central Electric Co-Op, Inc. (247-15-000224-CU;
225-SP): Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) applied
for a solar photovoltaic energy project within the
Exclusive Farm Use Zone and Surface Mining
Impact Area Combining Zone for the property
located at 61090 27th Street, Bend. The proposed
facility, at full build-out, will occupy approximately
2.9 acres of the subject property and will be
located south of the existing CEC office and
maintenance facility. The proposal is currently
under review. Staff contact: Cynthia Smidt;
Cynthia.Smidt@deschutes.org
CLR Contracting, LLC (247-15-000272-ZC/273-
PA): On May 29, an application was submitted
requesting a plan amendment and zone change
from Tumalo Residential 5-Acre Minimum (TUR5) to
Tumalo Industrial (TuI) for a 5.39 acre site located
in the southern portion of the Tumalo Rural
Community (Tax Map 16-12-31, Tax Lot 401). A
public hearing before a Hearings Officer is
scheduled for August 18, 2015. Staff contact:
Matthew Martin, Matt.Martin@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 Tax Map 16-12-32 as Tax Lots 314
and 301. A public hearing before the County
Hearings Officer was conducted on March 31,
2015. The Hearings Officer denied the
application on May 27, 2015. The applicants
appealed the Hearings Officers’ denial, and the
BOCC determined it will hear the appeal. The
applicant has requested a postponement of the
hearing until September. Staff contact: Paul
Blikstad, Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Deschutes Junction Comprehensive Plan
Amendment and Zone Change (247-14-000456-
ZC, 457-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 was scheduled for June 16, 2015 and the
applicant requested a continuance to July 14,
2015. The hearing took place on July 14, 2015,
with the Hearings Officer closing the hearing later
that evening. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad,
Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
KC Development Group, LLC and Tumalo
Irrigation District (247-15-000226-CU, 227-CU,
228-LM): Pursuant to the BOCC’s decision in
Land Use File 247-14-000238-PS, the Planning
Division re-issued the Land Use Compatibility
Statement regarding the transfer of 108-acre-feet
of water, and required Tumalo Irrigation District
to apply for conditional use permits to create two
reservoirs and establish a recreation facility (ski
lake). A public hearing was opened on July 1,
2015 and then continued to September 29,
2015. The applicant requested the continuance
to submit a modification of application to allow
up to 20 guests at the recreational facility. Staff
expects the modification of application to be
submitted by the end of July. Staff contact:
Anthony Raguine, Anthony.Raguine@
deschutes.org.
Lower Bridge Road LLC (247-15-00194-CU and
195-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 held a continued public
hearing on June 23, 2015. The post hearing
written record continues to July 23,, 2015. Staff
contact: Will 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. A public hearing
before a Hearings Officer was held on Thursday,
November 20, 2014. 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. A public hearing
before the BOCC was held on July 8, 2015. A BOCC
decision is expected in late fall. 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). A public hearing was held on June 30. The
written record closes July 21; rebuttal July 28; and
applicant final argument on August 4. Staff contact:
Chris Schmoyer; Chris.Schmoyer@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 the Land Use
Board of Appeals (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 deci-sion 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
Weston Investment Co. (247-15-
000284-IA: The Restated Improvement
Agreement relates to the construction and
installation of Overnight Lodging Required
Improvements for the Cascade Highlands/
Tetherow Destination Resort, as required in the
conditions of approval in the Resort Tentative
Subdivision Plan approval, File No. TP-07-990
and Site Plan approval, File No. 247-14-000429-
SP. Tetherow Vacation Homes, LLC filed for
tentative subdivision and site plan approval for
Development Tract AA within the Resort in order
to construct 133 separately rentable overnight
lodging units on the Real Property. The County
and the Developer desire to restate the Original
Improvement Agreement to reflect subsequent
events and make other amendments through
this Restated Agreement to secure the remainder
of the Overnight Lodging Required
Improvements. This Restated Agreement
supersedes and wholly replaces the Original
Improvement Agreement and all amendments
thereto. The improvement agreement was
recorded following BOCC approval on June 25,
2015. Staff contact: William Groves;
William.Groves@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 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, which was mailed to all
parties on November 25, 2014. A Notice of
Intent to Appeal to LUBA was received on
December 11. LUBA remanded the County
Hearings Officer’s decision by a Final Opinion
and Order dated June 2, 2015. The applicant
appealed LUBA’s final order and opinion to the
Court of Appeals. Staff contact: Paul Blikstad,
Paul.Blikstad@deschutes.org
Widgi Creek(247-14-000391-TP, 393-SP, and
394-LM): A 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. The BOCC agreed to hear
this appeal on May 6, 2015. Hearing date is TBD.
Staff contact: Will Groves; William.Groves@
deschutes.org
Widgi Creek (247-14-000395-TP, 396-SP, and -397-
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. The Hearings Officer issued a
decision on April 6, 2015 finding that the proposal
does not comply with all applicable regulations. The
BOCC agreed to hear this appeal on May 6, 2015.
Hearing date is TBD. 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 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 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
approved the proposal for the fourth time on
January 29, 2015 and it was subsequently appealed
to LUBA. Oral arguments will be scheduled for 2015.
Staff contact: Paul Blikstad, Paul.Blikstad@
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. This application has been appealed to
LUBA. Staff contact: Will Groves;
William.Groves@deschutes.org
Long-Range Planning
Agricultural Lands/HB 2229: On May 6,
the BOCC submitted a letter to Director Rue
respectfully requesting rulemaking for
HB 2229. Later this summer, staff will initiate
three amendments to County Code: 1) Text
amendment to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 2,
Section 2.2 and Chapter 3, Section 3.3,
recognizing non-resource lands process allowed
under State law to change EFU zoning; 2) Text
Amendment to zoning code providing a definition
of agricultural-exempt buildings; and, 3)
Reducing setbacks in the Forest 2 Zone, explicitly
for Haner Park Subdivision. Staff contact: Matt
Martin, Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Bend Airport Master Plan Update: The City of
Bend remains in a holding pattern after a
January 12 meeting regarding submittal of 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: The Central Oregon Intergovernmental
Council (COIC) Board, on May 7, supported a
200+ acre large lot candidate site in Redmond.
Deschutes County will be collaborating with the
City of Redmond to prepare a UGB amendment
application in FY 2015/2016. 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: In
March, the County’s 2015-16 CLG grant
application was approved 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. The grant
supported Historic Preservation Month activities
in May including presentations, film events, and
cycling tours to various historic sites. The next
planned project is collaboration with Des Chutes
Historical Society on archive scanning project.
Staff contact: Matt Martin,
Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Code Enforcement Task Force: Staff presented
the results of the Code Enforcement task force’s
work regarding how the County should process
development permits on properties with
outstanding Code Enforcement complaints to
the Board at a June 3 work session. The
Board supported the task force’s
recommendations. Staff will
initiate a text amendment to the County’s
development code in the fall or winter as
workload allows. Staff contact: Peter Russell,
Peter.Russell@deschutes.og
Goal 11 (Sewer) Exception for Southern Deschutes
County: The Deschutes County Planning Commission
(PC) will hold a public hearing a proposed Goal 11
Exception for South County on Thursday, July 23 at
2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the La Pine Community
Center. Staff from the County, DEQ, and DLCD have
prepared a land use application with suggested
findings for a Goal 11 Exception (Public Facilities and
Services) for South County. The Goal 11 Exception
materials include a map of the Goal 11 exception
area; relevant state laws, rules, and regulations; and
applicable County Code. The PC will ultimately make
a recommendation to the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC), which will also hold a public
hearing at a date yet to be set. 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.
Housekeeping Amendments: The Planning Division
brought a package of text amendments to the PC for
a public hearing on July 9. These amendments include
those necessary to incorporate changes in State law
into the County Zoning Ordinance. In addition, there
are “housekeeping” amendments that have been
identified as necessary to correct scrivener errors and
provide additional clarification to existing regulations
and the Comprehensive Plan. Deliberations are
planned for August 13. 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
to the Board on May 18. The presentation concen-
trated on wildfires and floods. CSC issued its report on
June 30 with final recommendations for how County
land use codes, policies, and processes could be
modified to lessen the risks of wildfires and flooding
during the land use development process. Staff
contact: Peter Russell, Peter.Russell@deschutes.org
No Shooting Zone: Deschutes County, City of
Redmond, and Redmond Parks and Recreation
Department are working to propose a No Shooting
District on lands the three entities own or control
north of OR 126 between Redmond and Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) property. The BLM already
has policies prohibiting the discharge of firearms
on its land. The proposed no shooting district is
intended to lessen the risks to persons and
property recreating on the Redmond Park
and Rec trail system on the County’s land and
to those customers of the Negus
Transfer Station. Staff held a work
session with the BOCC on Monday,
June 29. A public hearing is scheduled for
August 12. Staff contacts: Peter Russell,
Peter.Russell@deschutes.org; and James Lewis,
James.Lewis@ 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). Staff issued a
decision rejecting the application because File
TA-13-4 was pending, which may affect the subject
properties and a procedural issue relating to
ownership of the canal. The BOCC later held a
public hearing and upheld staff’s decision. In
response, the applicant has filed a Notice of Intent
to Appeal with 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 nomination has been
submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) for generally the same segment of the Pilot
Butte Canal to be included on the National Register
of Historic Places. The County Historic Landmarks
Commission (HLC) discussed the nomination at its
meetings in February and May but could not come
to consensus as to whether to support or oppose
the nomination, citing concerns with the proposal.
The HLC submitted a letter to SHPO summarizing
the discussions. The nomination has been
forwarded by SHPO to the National Parks Service
with a recommendation of approval. A decision is
expected in July. Staff contact: Matt Martin,
Matt.Martin@deschutes.org
Sage-Grouse: The Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) on May 29 released The Oregon Sub-
Regional Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) Proposed
Resource Management Plan Amendment
(Proposed RMP A) and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) to incorporate sage-
grouse conservation measures on federal
lands in Central and Eastern Oregon.
The plans are now undergoing a 60-day
Governor’s Consistency Review period and
concurrent 30-day protest period (June 29), after
which Records of Decisions will be signed. The
plans address issues identified by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) in a 2010 determination that
found the greater sage-grouse was deserving of
protection under the Endangered Species Act due to
the inadequacy of regulatory protections to prevent
further sagebrush habitat fragmentation, placing the
bird in danger of extinction. Federal protection was
deferred because of higher priorities; however, the
Service is required to revisit the determination by
September 30, 2015.
The Land Conservation and Development
Commission (LCDC) initiated rulemaking to address
large scale development and sage grouse habitat on
private lands. They appointed a Rules Advisory
Committee (RAC) in March to assist in the
development of a draft rule. LCDC is scheduled to
hold a hearing in Burns on July 23 to consider
adoption. Staff contact: Peter Gutowsky,
Peter.Gutowsky@deschutes.org.
Transportation Planning Miscellany: On June 5,
staff met with Oregon Department of Transportation
(ODOT) engineers and designers and Kittelson &
Associates personnel to review potential short,
medium, and long-term operational improvements to
U.S. 97 between Bend and Redmond. The intent was
to identify and assess low-cost improvements that
could address safety issues on the highways and be
accomplished in phases. Concepts ranged from
improved intersections, to increased width of clear
zones, to better lighting at problematic intersections,
to median barriers with accommodations for U-turns
to minimize out-of-direction travel for residents.
Kittelson will prepare a report with cost estimates
and suggested phasing by early summer. 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
three-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 ESAs. Phase I ESAs
involve reviews 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 has 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.
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. The
final report is expected in August. 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
To request this newsletter in an alternate format, call (541) 617-4747 .
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
Tony 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
Angie Havniear Permit Technician (541) 330-4611 Angie.Havniear@deschutes.org
Larry Howard Environmental Health Spec. II (541) 330-4666 Larry.Howard@deschutes.org