HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-27 Planning PACKET
Planning CommissionAgenda
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June 27, 2023
Study Session
AGENDA
AA
I.CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m., Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street
II.ANNOUNCEMENTS
III.PUBLIC FORUM
Note: If you wish to discuss an agenda item, please contact PC-public-
testimony@ashland.or.us by June 27, 2023, 10 a.m. to register to participate electronically. To
speak to an agenda item in person you must fill out a speaker request form at the meeting
and will then be recognized by the Chair to provide your public testimony. Written testimony
can be submitted in advance or in person at the meeting. If you are interested in watching
the meeting via Zoom, please utilize the following link: https://zoom.us/j/99681231334
IV.DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.Ashland Chamber of Commerce Economic Diversification Study (Chamber Staff)
B.Ashland Climate & Environmental Policy Advisory Committee
Natural Gas Ordinance Update (CEPAC Chair Bryan D. Sohl)
C.DRAFT Ashland Climate Friendly Area (CFA) Study
D.2023 Annual Planning Commission Retreat
V.OPEN DISCUSSION
VI.ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting Date: July 11, 2023 (pending planning application submittal)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email
planning@ashland.or.us. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility
to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).
Page 1 of 1
Memo
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Derek Severson, ˠ˼˱˾˾˹˾˷ ˝˱˾˱˷˵̂
RE: Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Economic Diversification Strategy
In 2022, EcoNorthwest completed an Economic Diversification Strategy for the Ashland
Chamber of Commerce. After heat waves, wildfires, smoke and a pandemic and its
associated business restrictions, school closures and shuttered venues the Chamber
study looks closely at issues including what drives the local economy, how does the
city adapt to climate impacts, and how can the city remain affordable to young
families.
The strategy and executive summary are included in toni˷˸̄Ͻ̃ ̀˱˳˻˵̄ ˶˿̂ ̉˿̅̂ ̂˵̆˹˵̇ʼ
and Chamber staff will be on hand to present the strā˵˷̉ ˱̄ ̄˿˾˹˷˸̄Ͻ̃ ˽˵˵̄˹˾˷ ˱˾˴
respond to any questions.
Economic Diversification
Strategy
Ashland Chamber of
Commerce
September 2022
Prepared for: Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Final Report
KOIN Center
222 SW Columbia Street
Suite 1600
Portland, OR 97201
503-222-6060
This page intentionally blank
ECONorthwest ii
Table of Contents
1.INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.STUDY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3.WHAT THE DATA SAY ............................................................................................................................................ 6
4.ENGAGEMENT .................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.PEER CITIES AND INDUSTRY TRENDS .............................................................................................................. 38
6.SWOT ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................. 43
7.ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION ACTION PLAN .................................................................................................... 59
8.APPENDIX A: ASHLAND ECONOMIC PROFILE ................................................................................................... 85
9.APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL SURVEY RESPONSES ............................................................................................. 90
ECONorthwest iii
This page intentionally blank
ECONorthwest iv
Executive Summary
Exhibit 1. Educational Attainment For Population
25 Years Plus, Ashland, Jackson County, and
Oregon, 2015-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimate,
Table B15003.
100%
3%
9%
10%
11%
80%
23%
26%
22%
5%
60%
25%
28%
40%
9%
9%
59%
20%
34%
28%
0%
OregonJackson CountyAshland
Bachelors or HigherAssociates
Some CollegeHigh School or Equivalent
Less than High School
ECONorthwest v
ECONorthwest vi
Exhibit 2. Top Industries Covered Employment and Average Pay by Sector, 10 Largest Sectors
Ashland, 2019
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2019.
2,500$80,000
$70,000
2,000
$60,000
$50,000
1,500
Average County Wage, $44,048
$40,000
1,000
$30,000
$20,000
500
$10,000
-$0
AccommodationRetail TradeGovernmentHealth Care andArts,Other ServicesManufacturingProf., Sci., andAdmin. / SupportConstruction
and Food ServicesSocial AssistanceEntertainment, and(except PublicTech. Servicesand Waste Mgmt /
RecreationAdministration)Remediation Serv.
EmployeesAverage Pay / Employee
ECONorthwest vii
STEM Occupational Employment Projections for Rogue Valley (Jackson and Josephine Counties),
2020-2030, Top Five Occupations
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
Projected
Employment Percent Employment Replacement Total
Occupation TitleEmployment
2020ChangeChangeOpeningsOpenings
2030
Registered Nurses2,8283,23814.5%4101,4531,863
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural
1,6101,7619.4%1511,5921,743
Managers
Carpenters1,3301,4408.3%1101,2121,322
Project Management Specialists and Business
77085911.6%89697786
Operations Specialists, All Other
Accountants and Auditors64573714.3%92563655
Total, All Occupations 23,870 27,278 14.3% 3,408 18,705 22,113
ECONorthwest viii
o
o
ECONorthwest ix
o
o
o
ECONorthwest x
ECONorthwest xi
1.Introduction
Background
ECONorthwest 1
ECONorthwest 2
2.Study Framework
Strategic Planning Framework
Source: Adapted from Team-based Strategic Planning, Fogg, C. Davis
PlanningResultsHowImpleme-Review
ntation
BaseRequired
Environmental
Scan
Vision/
Delegated
Internal
Mission
Strategies
Objectives
External
Reviews
Assumptions
ObjectivesDelegated
Programs
Programs
Priorities
Where are Where do How will Who must How are
we Now?we want to we get do What?we doing?
be?there?
Methods
ECONorthwest 3
Data Used in this Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
ECONorthwest 4
ECONorthwest 5
3.What the Data Say
Ashland is Growing at a Slow Pace
Exhibit 3. Population, Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon, U.S., 2000, 2010, and 2020
Source: U.S. Decennial Census and Portland State University, Census World Clock, and Population Research Center.
Change 2000 to 2020
200020102020NumberPercentAAGR
U.S.281,421,906308,745,538330,034,25748,612,35117%0.8%
Oregon3,421,3993,831,0744,268,055846,65625%1.1%
Jackson County181,269203,206223,24041,97123%1.0%
Ashland19,52220,07821,1051,5838%0.4%
Ashland’s Population is Getting Older
In the 2015-2019 period, Exhibit 4. Population Distribution by Age, Ashland, Jackson County,
there were almost twice and Oregon, 2015-2019
as many Ashland
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS, Table B01001.
residents over 60 than
under 20 years old.
ECONorthwest 6
Between 2010 and the Exhibit 5. Age Group Change from 2010 to 2019
2015-2019 period, Source: US Decennial Census 2010, P012001 and ACS 5-Year Estimates 2015-
2019 Table B01001
Ashland saw the most
growth in the population
aged 70 and older.
At the same time, Ashland
saw a decrease in the
population of those under
20, a much sharper
decrease than either
Jackson County or Oregon.
By 2040, Jackson Exhibit 6. Fastest-growing Groups, Jackson County, 2020 to 2040
5X^W\]bd\\ YXY^UJ\]RXW X_N\[ Source: PSU Population Research Center, Jackson County Forecast, June 2017.
11% 8% 25% 27%
60 years old is forecast
5,363 People 4,211 People 13,901 18,458
to grow 27%. This is an
People People
increase in 18,458
people.
Under 20 20-39 Yrs 40-59 Yrs 60+ Yrs
ECONorthwest 7
Ashland is Getting More Diverse
3KX^\] 1* XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ Exhibit 7. Non-White Population by Race as a Percent of Total
population was White in AXY^UJ\]RXW$ 3\\QUJWM JWM <JLT\\XW 5X^W\]b$ *()-c*()1
2015-2019. The largest EY_\\MO0 G$E$ 5OX\]_\] 4_\\OK_" (&'+f(&'/ 35E FKLVO 4&(&&'$
communities of color were
people who were two or
more races, Asian, or Black.
EQN \\QJ\[N XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ Exhibit 8. Latino Population as a Percent of the Total Population,
householders identified as 3\\QUJWM$ <JLT\\XW 5X^W\]b$ @\[NPXW$ *()( JWM *()-c*()1
Latino increased between
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census Table P005001, ACS 2019
+#JOK\\ 7\]^SWK^O\] (&'+f(&'/" FKLVO 4&)&&($
*()( JWM *()-c*()1&
However, Ashland was less
ethnically diverse than
Jackson County and Oregon
HM '%&% @MC SGD '%&*Y
2019 period.
ECONorthwest 8
What are Ashland’s Housing Conditions?
Ashland Faces Housing Affordability Challenge
Exhibit 9. Ratio of Median Housing Value to Median Household Income, Ashland, Jackson County,
Oregon, and Comparison Cities, 2000 to 2015-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census, Tables HCT012, H085, 2015-2019 ACS, Tables B19013, B25077.
ECONorthwest 9
Exhibit 10. Residential Listing Trends, Ashland and Comparison Geographies, 2020 and 2021
Source: 2022 MLS and FBS. Prepared by Oregon Datashare (KCAR|MLSCO|SOMLS) on Wednesday, January 05, 2022.
$259,950
White City
$297,250
$356,954
Talent
$467,500
$313,500
Shady Cove
$362,500
$374,000
Rogue River
$395,000
$316,638
Phoenix
$360,000
$323,000
Medford
$379,000
$494,000
Jacksonville
$605,000
$388,000
Gold Hill
$442,500
$365,000
Eagle Point
$425,000
$324,848
Central Point
$385,000
$470,000
Ashland
$550,000
$545,500
Applegate
$750,000
$- $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000
Median Sales Price
20202021
Multifamily Market Rents Also Increasing
ECONorthwest 10
Exhibit 11. Rent Trends for Multifamily Housing, Ashland and Jackson County, 2009 to 2022
Source: CoStar, 2022
$992
$1,000
$900
$832
$800
$750
$711
$700
$600
$500
$400
$300
$200
$100
$0
20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
YTD
AshlandJackson County
Exhibit 12: Rent Per Square Foot And Vacancy Trends For Apartments, 2009 To 2022
Source: CoStar, 2022
$1.204.0%
3.5%
$1.00
3.0%
$0.80
2.5%
$0.602.0%
1.5%
$0.40
1.0%
$0.20
0.5%
$0.000.0%
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
ECONorthwest 11
Who works in Ashland?
Population to Employment Ratio
Exhibit 13. Population to Employment Ratio, Ashland UGB, 2019
Source: QCEW, PSU, Bureau of Economic Analysis (Total Employment)
20,960 14,152 1.48
Population Estimated Total Population to
Employment Employment Ratio
Less than half of Ashland Residents work in Ashland
About 6,500 people Exhibit 14. Commuting Flows, Ashland, 2019
commuted into Ashland for
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census On the Map.
work and more than 4,400
people living in Ashland
commuted out of the city.
About 3,450 people lived and
worked in Ashland.
ACS 2015-2019, Table Table B08303
3
ECONorthwest 12
About 35% of people who Exhibit 15. Places Workers at Businesses in Ashland Lived, 2019
work in Ashland also live
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census On the Map.
there. Workers also came
35% 18% 6%
from Medford, Talent, Central
AshlandMedfordTalent
Point, Phoenix and other
cities.
Employment is Spreading from Downtown
Exhibit 16. Ashland Employment by Block Group, 2019
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
ECONorthwest 13
Exhibit 17. Ashland Percent Change in Employment by Block Group, 2007 - 2019
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Labor Force Trends
The Pandemic Caused a shock, but Recovery is Underway
ECONorthwest 14
Exhibit 18. Unemployment Rates, Oregon, Jackson and Josephine Counties
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
5.1
4.5
4.0
4.1
2.0
0.0
OregonJackson CountyJosephine County
Ashland Income is Average for Jackson County
ECONorthwest 15
In the 2015-2019 period, Exhibit 19. Median Household Income, Ashland, Jackson County,
3\\QUJWMd\\ VNMRJW Oregon, and Comparison Cities, 2015-2019
household income
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimate, Table B19013.
($56,315) was similar to
the counties, but about
$5,500 less than the
\\\]J\]Nd\\ VNMRJW QX^\\NQXUM
income (MHI).
Ashland has Good Jobs Growth, but it Continues to be Concentrated
ECONorthwest 16
7aQRKR\] *(& 5X_N\[NM 7VYUXbVNW\] 5QJWPN *((/c*()1$ 3\\QUJWM F94 JWM <JLT\\XW 5X^W\]b
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Ashland
Jackson County 2007 - 2019
Sector EstablishmentsEmployees
Change in EmploymentChange in Employment
2007201920072019#%AAGR#%AAGR
136 44 127 83 189%9.2%290 10%0.8%
-------27 15%1.2%
5378 309 239 (70) -23%-2.1%(399) -8%-0.7%
4254 495 491 (4) -1%-0.1%1,187 18%1.4%
4641 161 198 37 23%1.7%(15) -1%-0.1%
159149 1,344 1,583 239 18%1.4%(111) -1%-0.1%
127 30 72 42 140%7.6%636 26%2.0%
5334 179 234 55 31%2.3%(380) -24%-2.2%
6050 189 204 15 8%0.6%(216) -9%-0.8%
4155 114 113 (1) -1%-0.1%128 12%0.9%
129113 292 343 51 17%1.4%638 33%2.4%
65 27 41 14 52%3.5%(565) -30%-3.0%
3537 134 253 119 89%5.4%57 2%0.1%
2424 105 112 7 7%0.5%269 46%3.2%
159145 1,410 1,368 (42) -3%-0.3%5,395 49%3.4%
4133 748 758 10 1%0.1%26 2%0.1%
143141 1,676 2,142 466 28%2.1%1,946 25%1.9%
160105 342 496 154 45%3.1%628 23%1.8%
2117 1,644 1,453 (191) -12%-1.0%(339) -3%-0.3%
Total1,094 1,197 9,243 10,227 984 11%0.8%9,202 11%0.9%
ECONorthwest 17
Exhibit 21. Covered Employment, 2020, Ashland UGB
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Average Pay
SectorEstablishmentsEmployees Payroll per Employee
Agriculture and Mining15 149 6,344,374$ 42,580$
Construction54 285 16,501,719$ 57,901$
Manufacturing44 560 31,421,449$ 56,110$
Wholesale Trade46 141 8,815,743$ 62,523$
Retail Trade156 1,474 54,249,058$ 36,804$
Transportation and Warehousing13 77 5,320,439$ 69,097$
Information53 175 16,136,808$ 92,210$
Finance and Insurance60 203 12,501,166$ 61,582$
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing42 98 4,316,525$ 44,046$
Prof., Sci., and Tech. Services147 437 33,042,679$ 75,613$
Mgmt of Companies and Enterprises6 37 2,502,021$ 67,622$
Admin. / Support and Waste Mgmt / Remediation Serv.32 215 8,249,496$ 38,370$
Private Education24 94 4,051,712$ 43,103$
Health Care and Social Assistance185 1,326 67,971,540$ 51,261$
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation42 409 16,725,366$ 40,893$
Accommodation and Food Services135 1,526 32,261,644$ 21,141$
Other Services (except Public Administration)129 427 13,017,548$ 30,486$
Government21 1,409 83,037,878$ 58,934$
Total1,204 9,042 416,467,165$ 46,059$
Occupation Trends
ECONorthwest 18
Exhibit 22. STEM Occupational Employment Projections for Rogue Valley (Jackson and Josephine
Counties), 2020-2030, Top Five Occupations
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
Projected
Employment Percent Employment Replacement Total
Occupation TitleEmployment
2020ChangeChangeOpeningsOpenings
2030
Registered Nurses2,8283,23814.5%4101,4531,863
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural
1,6101,7619.4%1511,5921,743
Managers
Carpenters1,3301,4408.3%1101,2121,322
Project Management Specialists and Business
77085911.6%89697786
Operations Specialists, All Other
Accountants and Auditors64573714.3%92563655
Total, All Occupations 23,870 27,278 14.3% 3,408 18,705 22,113
Ashland Residents are Highly Educated
3\\QUJWMd\\ YXY^UJ\]RXW *- JWM XUMN\[ QJM Exhibit 23. Educational Attainment For Population
higher rates of higher education attainment, 25 Years Plus, Ashland, Jackson County, and
with almost 60 percent having a bachelors or Oregon, 2015-2019
higher. Nearly 30 percent above the state
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimate,
Table B15003.
and county estimate.
100%
3%
9%
10%
11%
80%
23%
26%
22%
5%
60%
25%
28%
40%
9%
9%
59%
20%
34%
28%
0%
OregonJackson CountyAshland
Bachelors or HigherAssociates
Some CollegeHigh School or Equivalent
Less than High School
ECONorthwest 19
Higher Education Enrollment is Down
Enrollment at Southern Exhibit 24. Fall Enrollment at SOU, 2015 to 2021
Oregon University has Source: SOU Enrollment Reports 2015 to 2021,
https://inside.sou.edu/ir/enrollments.html
decreased 18.5% over the
last two years.
8,000
6,243
6,1006,1416,182
6,007
6,000
5,059
5,089
4,000
2,000
0
2015201620172018201920202021
Total Admitted UndergradauteTotal Non-Admit Undergrad
Total Admitted GraduateTotal Non-Admit Grad
Exhibit 25. Southern Oregon University Bachelor's Degree Trends, 2010-2021
Source: Southern Oregon University f APPSMO YP ;X\]^S^_^SYXKV DO\]OK\\MR
ECONorthwest 20
Ashland’s Pre-K through Secondary School Enrollment is Down
Exhibit 26. Enrollment in Ashland School District, 2016 to 2021
Source: Oregon Department of Education, At-A-Glance Profiles
3,000
2,682
2,658
2,639
2,646
2,500
2,321
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
-
2016 - 20172017 - 20182018 - 20192019 - 20202020 - 2021
Ashland High SchoolAshland Middle SchoolBellview Elementary School
Helman Elementary SchoolJohn Muir Outdoor SchoolWalker Elementary School
ECONorthwest 21
Many Sector Strengths do Not Intersect with High-Wage Jobs
Exhibit 27. Concentration of Industries and Employment, Ashland, 2019
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Note: Green highlighting indicates higher ^RKX 3\]RVKXNg\] K`O\\KQO aKQO SX (&'/$
High Employment Low Employment
(more than 50 employees) (at least 10 employees)
High Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Chemical
Construction of Buildings Manufacturing
Location
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Health and
Quotient
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers Personal Care
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers Stores
Food and Beverage Stores Securities,
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Commodity
Stores Contracts, and
Miscellaneous Store Retailers Other Financial
Nonstore Retailers Investments and
Publishing Industries (except Internet) Related Activities
Ambulatory Health Care Services
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
Accommodation
Food Services and Drinking Places
Personal and Laundry Services
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar
Organizations
Private Households
Low Specialty Trade Contractors Crop Production
Food Manufacturing Merchant
Location
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Wholesalers,
Quotient
Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Durable Goods
Dealers Support Activities
Gasoline Stations for Transportation
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores Motion Picture
General Merchandise Stores and Sound
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities Recording
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities Industries
Real Estate Management of
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Companies and
Administrative and Support Services Enterprises
Educational Services
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Social Assistance
Repair and Maintenance
ECONorthwest 22
Exhibit 28. Top Industries Covered Employment and Average Pay by Sector, 10 Largest Sectors
Ashland, 2019
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2019.
2,500$80,000
$70,000
2,000
$60,000
$50,000
1,500
Average County Wage, $44,048
$40,000
1,000
$30,000
$20,000
500
$10,000
-$0
AccommodationRetail TradeGovernmentHealth Care andArts,Other ServicesManufacturingProf., Sci., andAdmin. / SupportConstruction
and Food ServicesSocial AssistanceEntertainment, and(except PublicTech. Servicesand Waste Mgmt /
RecreationAdministration)Remediation Serv.
EmployeesAverage Pay / Employee
Tourism Industries are Still a Clear Strength
ECONorthwest 23
Exhibit 29. Transient Occupancy Taxes, 2013 - 2020
Source: https://www.travelstats.com/tlt/oregon
5
Jurisdiction 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Ashland $2.1M $2.1M $2.3M $2.1M $2.8M $2.9M $3.1M $2.2M
Per Capita $138.68 $147.23 $104.08
$103.47 $103.24 $112.72 $101.84 $135.27
Central Point $451.5K $373.3K $391.5K $481.5K $453.1K $495.0K $492.4K
Per Capita $27.30 $26.80
$ 26.08 $ 21.48 $ 22.39 $ 27.38 $ 25.60
Jacksonville $102.5K $104.1K $117.1K $134.8K $147.2K $180.4K $166.2K $181.0K
Per Capita $62.79 $57.63 $62.78
$ 36.09 $ 36.65 $ 40.66 $ 46.16 $ 49.90
Medford $2.6M $2.9M $3.3M $3.8M $3.9M $3.3M $3.4M $1.5M
Per Capita $41.22 $41.90 $18.27
$ 34.25 $ 37.83 $ 42.50 $ 48.41 $ 49.00
Exhibit 30. Transient Room Tax Total Revenue, Ashland, 2000-2022 YTD
Source: City of Ashland, March 2022
$3,500,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
$2,000,000.00
$1,500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$500,000.00
$-
0123456789012345678901D
0000000000111111111122
T
Y
----------------------
9012345678901234567890
2
9000000000011111111112
2
-
1
2
July-Sept RevenueOct-Dec RevenueJan-Mar RevenueApril- June Revenue
ECONorthwest 24
Exhibit 31. Jackson County Percent of Total Employment by Leisure and Hospitality Industries,
2011-2020
Source: QCEW, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
ECONorthwest 25
Commercial Real Estate Market Conditions
Ashland Retail Rents Decreasing while Vacancy Rates are Increasing
Exhibit 32. Retail Rents per Square Foot and Retail Vacancy Rates in Ashland, 2009 to 2022
Source: CoStar, 2022
6
$40.005.0%
$35.00
4.0%
$30.00
$25.00
3.0%
$20.00
2.0%
$15.00
$10.00
1.0%
$5.00
$0.000.0%
20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
YTD
Ashland Office Rents and Vacancy Rates Decreasing
ECONorthwest 26
Exhibit 33. Office Rents per Square Foot and Vacancy Rates in Ashland, 2009 to 2022
Source: CoStar, 2022
$25.007.00%
6.00%
$20.00
5.00%
$15.00
4.00%
3.00%
$10.00
2.00%
$5.00
1.00%
$0.000.00%
20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
YTD
ECONorthwest 27
Broadband
Exhibit 34. Maximum Download Speed Available in Ashland
Source: Oregon Broadband Mapping Project, 2022
https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=002a3eee6efb48a1868b4494168d730a
Broadband in Oregon A Report of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council, 2020,
7
https://www.oregon.gov/biz/Publications/Boards/Oregon%20Broadband%20Advisory%20Council%20(OBAC)/BroadbandR
pt2020.pdf
ECONorthwest 28
4.Engagement
Stakeholder Discussions
ECONorthwest 29
Survey
Approach and Rationale
ECONorthwest 30
Exhibit 35. Survey Response Summary
Total email solicitations 1,112
Bounced addresses 114
Effective sample size 998
Responses 231
Response rate 23.1%
Key Takeaways
ECONorthwest 31
Local Economy and Innovation Capacity
Overall, how would you rate Ashland as a place to do business at this time?
7aQRKR\] +.& 3\\\\N\\\\VNW\]\\ XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ 5^\[\[NW\] 4^\\RWN\\\\ 3\]VX\\YQN\[N
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the following
statements
ECONorthwest 32
Exhibit 37. Level of Agreement with Statements about Economic Conditions
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
Statement Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Total
Agree Agree nor Disagree Responses
Disagree
Ashland has a strong culture of 14% 46% 23% 14% 4% 217
innovation and entrepreneurship
Ashland has a diverse and healthy 1% 22% 27% 38% 12% 212
economy
Ashland has a welcoming business 9% 33% 30% 21% 8% 209
climate
Ashland has a high quality of life 34% 50% 12% 2% 1% 219
Key innovation assets in Ashland 6% 32% 42% 14% 6% 171
and the region are linked physically
Ashland and the region have strong 8% 28% 33% 25% 6% 201
networks that support economic
development
People outside our region perceive 7% 29% 31% 25% 8% 182
we have a strong environment for
economic development
Ashland has and maintains public 15% 41% 18% 21% 5% 208
infrastructure to adequately support
existing and future economic
development needs
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement on leadership, culture and
networks in Ashland and the region
Exhibit 38. Level of Agreement with Statements about Leadership, Culture, and Networks
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Total
Statement
Agree Agree nor Disagree Responses
Disagree
Local leadership is well connected 3% 22% 32% 35% 8% 193
throughout the region
Entrepreneurs are well connected 5% 37% 35% 19% 4% 189
throughout the region
Our culture supports economic 7% 29% 30% 27% 6% 205
development
Local elected officials support 4% 26% 25% 28% 18% 200
economic development
Local government staff support 3% 30% 30% 21% 15% 191
economic development
Regional marketing and branding 14% 41% 24% 14% 6% 201
promote economic development
Economic development 10% 32% 36% 13% 8% 181
organizations effectively support
economic development
ECONorthwest 33
Please list the top three elements of Ashland’s economy you think present the
greatest opportunities for economic diversification
If you plan to expand your business in the next five years, please indicate how you
expect your business to grow.
Business owners looking to Exhibit 39. Anticipated New Business Needs in Five Years
expand indicated that they
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
anticipated needed roughly
11.4 6.3 2,721 sq ft.
six new full-time employees
Average Full Time Estimated Need for New Average Additional
in the next five years.
Employees Now Full Time EmployeesFloor Area Needed
Only 22 respondents
15.3 2.3 acres
indicated a need for more
Average Total Average Additional
floor area space or land.
Employees Now Land Needed
ECONorthwest 34
Business Expansion and Challenges
Do you plan to expand your business in the next five years? If you plan to expand your
business in the next five years, will you expand in Ashland?
The majority of respondents answered that However, only 50% of this number indicated that
they did plan to expand within the next five they would expand their business in Ashland.
years (56.5%).
Exhibit 40. Anticipated Expansion in Five Exhibit 41. Decision to Expand in Ashland
Years Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
If no, please explain why not.
ECONorthwest 35
Have you hired new employees in the last year? Was it difficult to fill positions?
Over half of business owners had hired new Following national level trends, out of the 52
employees in the last year; these respondents business owners who had hired in the last year
were asked follow ups about the process. 65.4% had difficulty finding employees.
Exhibit 42. Hiring in Past Year Exhibit 43. Difficulty Hiring in Past Year
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
34.6%
65.4%
YesNo n=52
What areas of assistance are most needed to help your business grow and succeed?
ECONorthwest 36
Exhibit 44. Assistance Needed for Business Owners
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
ECONorthwest 37
5.Peer Cities and Industry Trends
Selection Criteria
City Outdoor Wine Performing or University Remote
Recreation Industry Other Arts Work
Bend, OR X X
McMinville, OR X X
Healdsburg, CA X
Santa Fe, NM X X
Lessons Learned from Peers
ECONorthwest 38
Common Strategies
Industry Trends
Trends in Wine
Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, 2020, 2020 Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report
9
https://industry.oregonwine.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020-Winery-Vineyard-Report-8-31-21-Rev.pdf
Sovos ShipCompliant, 2022, 2022 Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report
10
https://www.sovos.com/shipcompliant/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/2022-Direct-to-Consumer-Wine-Shipping-
Report.pdf
ECONorthwest 39
Trends in Art
Trends in Outdoor Recreation
Destination Analysts, 2021, Travel Ashland Visitor Research and Analysis
11
Americans for the Arts, 2017, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
12
ECONorthwest 40
Trends in Tourism
Mojica, J., Cousins, K., Madsen, T., 2021, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Oregon.
14
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 2017, Outdoor Recreation in Oregon: Responding to Demographic and
Societal Change
ECONorthwest 41
Destination Analysts, 2021, Executive Summary
Destination Analysts, 2021, Executive Summary
17
Oregon Tourism Commission, 2019. Year in Review FY 2018-2019
ECONorthwest 42
6.SWOT Analysis
Strengths
What We Heard
ECONorthwest 43
7aQRKR\] ,-& >X\\\] 8\[NZ^NW\]Ub 5R\]NM D\]\[NWP\]Q\\ XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ 7LXWXVb
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Note: This graphic highlights themes included in 10% or more of responses due to a high volume of low-choice themes
Performing Arts/OSF
28%
Tourism
27%
Natural Beauty
26%
Highway/Location
21%
Universities/SOU
18%
Arts and Culture
17%
Restaurants
12%
Quality of Life
11%
Outdoor Recreation
11%
Community
10%
Appealing Downtown
10%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%
ECONorthwest 44
What the Data Say
Exhibit 46. Concentration of Industries and Employment, Ashland, 2019
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Note: Green highlighting indicates higher ^RKX 3\]RVKXNg\] K`O\\KQO aKQO SX (&'/$
High Employment Low Employment
(more than 50 employees) (at least 10 employees)
High
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Chemical Manufacturing
Construction of Buildings Health and Personal Care
Location
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Stores
Quotient
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers Securities, Commodity
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers Contracts, and Other Financial
Food and Beverage Stores Investments and Related
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Activities
Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Publishing Industries (except Internet)
Ambulatory Health Care Services
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related
Industries
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
Accommodation
Food Services and Drinking Places
Personal and Laundry Services
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and
Similar Organizations
Private Households
Low Specialty Trade Contractors Crop Production
Food Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable
Location
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Goods
Quotient
Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Support Activities for
Dealers Transportation
Gasoline Stations Motion Picture and Sound
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores Recording Industries
General Merchandise Stores Management of Companies
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities and Enterprises
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
Real Estate
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Administrative and Support Services
Educational Services
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Social Assistance
Repair and Maintenance
ECONorthwest 45
Exhibit 47. Educational Attainment For Population
25 Years Plus, Ashland, Jackson County, and
Oregon, 2015-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS 5-year estimate,
Table B15003.
100%
3%
9%
10%
11%
80%
23%
26%
22%
Prioritization
5%
60%
25%
28%
40%
9%
9%
59%
20%
34%
28%
0%
OregonJackson CountyAshland
Bachelors or HigherAssociates
Some CollegeHigh School or Equivalent
Less than High School
Weaknesses
What We Heard
ECONorthwest 46
7aQRKR\] ,0& >X\\\] 8\[NZ^NW\]Ub 5R\]NM HNJTWN\\\\N\\ XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ 7LXWXVb
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Housing Costs
32%
Reliance on Tourism/OSF
29%
Government
23%
Lack of Economic Diversity
21%
Fire/Smoke
20%
Business friendliness
11%
Cost of Living
11%
Leadership
9%
Commercial costs
8%
Lack of Diversity (Population)
8%
Homelessness
7%
Workforce
7%
Job Options
6%
Lack of Space
5%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%
Note: This graphic highlights themes included in 5% or more of responses due to a high volume of themes
What the Data Say
ECONorthwest 47
Exhibit 49. Top Industries Covered Employment and Average Pay by Sector, 10 Largest Sectors
Ashland, 2019
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2019.
2,500$80,000
$70,000
2,000
$60,000
$50,000
1,500
Average County Wage, $44,048
$40,000
1,000
$30,000
$20,000
500
$10,000
-$0
AccommodationRetail TradeGovernmentHealth Care andArts,Other ServicesManufacturingProf., Sci., andAdmin. / SupportConstruction
and Food ServicesSocial AssistanceEntertainment, and(except PublicTech. Servicesand Waste Mgmt /
RecreationAdministration)Remediation Serv.
EmployeesAverage Pay / Employee
ECONorthwest 48
Exhibit 50. Median Home Sale Prices, 2017-2020, Ashland and Surrounding Communities
Source: Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Services
$600K
$550K
West Medford
$500K
White City
$450K
Talent
$400K
Northwest Medford
$350K
Eagle Point
$300K
Phoenix
$250K
Southwest Medford
$200K
East Medford
$150K
Central Point
$100K
Ashland
Jacksonville
PrioritizationPrioritization
Threats
ECONorthwest 49
What We Heard
ECONorthwest 50
7aQRKR\] -)& >X\\\] 8\[NZ^NW\]Ub 5R\]NM EQ\[NJ\]\\ \]X 3\\QUJWMd\\ 7LXWXVb
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Climate Change
66%
Housing Affordability/Supply
18%
Government
17%
Reliance on OSF
10%
Leadership
9%
Cost of Living
9%
Workforce Housing
8%
COVID
7%
Homelessness
7%
Aging Population
6%
Water
6%
Tourism
6%
Lack of Economic Diversity
5%
Wages/Job Opportunities
5%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
Note: This graphic highlights themes included in 5% or more of responses due to a high volume of themes
What the Data Say
ECONorthwest 51
Exhibit 52. Population Distribution by Age, Ashland, Jackson County, and Oregon, 2015-2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS, Table B01001.
Exhibit 53. Southern Oregon University Enrollment Reports,2015-2021
Source: Inside Southern Oregon University
8,000
6,243
6,1006,1416,182
6,007
6,000
5,059
5,089
4,000
2,000
0
2015201620172018201920202021
Total Admitted UndergradauteTotal Non-Admit Undergrad
Total Admitted GraduateTotal Non-Admit Grad
Prioritization
ECONorthwest 52
Opportunities
What We Heard
ECONorthwest 53
7aQRKR\] -,& >X\\\] 8\[NZ^NW\]Ub 5R\]NM @YYX\[\]^WR\]RN\\ \]X 3\\QUJWMd\\ 7LXWXVb @_N\[JUU
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Outdoor Recreation
31%
SOU Programs
15%
Housing Development
13%
Youth/Young Families
13%
Performing Arts
12%
Business Support/Attraction
11%
Wine/Agriculture
11%
Diversification
8%
Arts/Culture (General)
8%
Remote Work
8%
Events
6%
Manufacturing/Industrial
6%
Restaurants
5%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%
Note: This graphic highlights themes included in 5% or more of responses due to a high volume of themes
ECONorthwest 54
7aQRKR\] --& >X\\\] 8\[NZ^NW\]Ub 5R\]NM @YYX\[\]^WR\]RN\\ \]X 3\\QUJWMd\\ 7LXWXVb @_N\[JUU
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
Education
27%
Outdoor Recreation
24%
Food/Wine
19%
Entertainment
17%
Business Diversity
14%
Tourism
12%
Arts/Culture
12%
Green Innovation
11%
Manufacturing
10%
Housing
10%
Health/Wellness
10%
Workforce Development
9%
Leverage Location
9%
Technology
8%
Internet
7%
Youth Attractions
7%
Remote Work
5%
Regulatory Changes
5%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%
Note: This graphic highlights themes included in 5% or more of responses due to a high volume of themes
What the Data Says
ECONorthwest 55
Exhibit 56. Transient Room Tax Total Revenue, Ashland, 2000-2022 YTD
Source: City of Ashland, March 2022
$3,500,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
$2,000,000.00
$1,500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$500,000.00
$-
D
0123456789012345678901
0000000000111111111122
T
Y
----------------------
9012345678901234567890
2
9000000000011111111112
2
-
1
2
July-Sept RevenueOct-Dec RevenueJan-Mar RevenueApril- June Revenue
$3,500,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
$2,000,000.00
$1,500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$500,000.00
$-
0123456789012345678901D
0000000000111111111122
T
Y
----------------------
9012345678901234567890
2
9000000000011111111112
2
-
1
2
July-Sept RevenueOct-Dec RevenueJan-Mar RevenueApril- June Revenue
Final Prioritization
ECONorthwest 56
Special Consideration: Perspectives on Regional Performing Arts
ECONorthwest 57
ECONorthwest 58
7.Economic Diversification Action Plan
Exhibit 57. The Ashland Economic Diversification Strategy
ECONorthwest 59
Pillar One: Foster Business Growth
ECONorthwest 60
ECONorthwest 61
Improve Public Sector Collaboration
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 62
Support Specialty Districts
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 63
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
Establish Small Batch Ashland
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 64
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 65
Resilient/Sustainable Business Practices
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 66
Pillar Two: Diversify Tourism
ECONorthwest 67
Position Ashland as the Regional Base Camp for Outdoor Recreation
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 68
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
Broaden Culinary Experiences:
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 69
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 70
Extend Event Calendar
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 71
Expand Visitor Personas
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 72
Pillar Three: Rediscover Downtown
ECONorthwest 73
Invest in Public Spaces
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 74
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
Diversify Downtown Visitors
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 75
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 76
Support Flexible Commercial Spaces
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 77
Create a Solar Downtown
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 78
Pillar Four: Expand Talent Pool
ECONorthwest 79
Train World-Class Healthcare Workforce
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 80
Attract Remote Workers
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 81
Increase Workforce Housing and Childcare Supply
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
ECONorthwest 82
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 83
Align Employer Needs with Regional Labor
Potential Actions
Potential Partners:
How to Measure Success:
First Step:
ECONorthwest 84
Appendix A: Ashland Economic Profile
3\\QUJWMd\\ YXY^UJ\]RXW `R\]QRW Exhibit 58. Forecast of Population Growth, Ashland UGB,
its urban growth boundary 2021 to 2041
is projected to grow by over Source: Oregon Population Forecast Program, Portland State University, Population
Research Center, 2018.
1,691 people between
21,936 23,627 1,6918% increase
2021 and 2041, at an
Residents in Residents in New residents 0.37% AAGR
average annual growth rate
20212041 2021 to 2041
of 0.37%.
19
From 2010 to 2015-2019, Exhibit 59. Median Age, Ashland, Jackson County, and Oregon,
3\\QUJWMd\\ VNMRJW JPN 2010 to 2015-2019
increased from 43 to 45. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census P013001, 2015-2019 ACS,
Table B01002.
50
45
43
43
4542
39
38
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
AshlandJackson CountyOregon
2010! $:! &
In the 2015-2019 period, 49% of Ashland residents were between the ages of 20 and 59 years.
ECONorthwest 85
Between 2010 and the Exhibit 60. Population Growth by Age, Ashland, 2010 to 2015-2019
2015-2019 period, the Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census Table P012001 and 2015-
2019 ACS, Table B01001.
population aged 60 and
older grew the most.
In this time, those aged
60 years and older grew
by 1,718 people (from
5,209 people in 2000 to
6,927 people in 2018).
Jackson County residents Exhibit 61. Population Growth by Age Group, Jackson County, 2020
60 years of age and older and 2040
are forecast to comprise Source: PSU Population Research Center, Jackson County Forecast, June 2017.
40%
32% of the population, up
from 30% in 2020.
32%
35%
30%
30%
26%
25%
23%
25%22%
21%
20%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Under 2020 to 3940 to 5960+
20202040
About 44% of Ashland Exhibit 62. Places Ashland Residents were Employed, 2019
residents worked there.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census On the Map.
Residents worked in
44% 23% 2%
other cities such as
AshlandMedfordGrants Pass
Medford, Grants Pass,
Portland, Central Point,
Eugene, Talent, Salem,
Phoenix and White City.
ECONorthwest 86
Exhibit 63. Industry Employment Projections, 2020-2030, Jackson and Josephine Counties
Source: Oregon Employment Department. Employment Projections by Industry 2020-2030.
20202030Change% Change
Total payroll employment115,090131,72016,63014%
Total private100,910116,76015,85016%
Natural resources and mining4,3505,17082019%
Mining and logging5506207013%
Construction5,8206,63081014%
Manufacturing10,61011,6901,08010%
Durable goods6,9007,56066010%
Wood product manufacturing2,4502,5701205%
Trade, transportation, and utilities24,55027,0302,48010%
Wholesale trade3,1303,3602307%
Retail trade17,66019,4101,75010%
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities3,7604,26050013%
Information1,3001,340403%
Financial activities4,7405,44070015%
Professional and business services9,48010,9501,47016%
Private educational and health services24,23028,4604,23017%
Private educational services9801,19021021%
Health care and social assistance23,25027,2704,02017%
Ambulatory health care services8,62010,6101,99023%
Leisure and hospitality12,27016,0503,78031%
Accommodation and food services10,90013,9803,08028%
Other services3,5604,00044012%
Government14,18014,9607806%
Federal government2,1702,120-50-2%
Federal government post office440460205%
State government1,4501,59014010%
Local government10,56011,2506907%
Local education6,8707,2203505%
Self-employment7,2907,8205307%
Total employment122,380139,54017,16014%
Exhibit 64. Oregon Job Vacancies by Geography, 2019-2021
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
Change
Geography201920202021
from 2019
Oregon Statewide57,241 44,408 96,887 69%
Portland Metro21,218 13,429 28,014 32%
Mid-Valley7,091 6,995 12,681 79%
East Cascades5,673 4,402 10,771 90%
Clackamas5,795 3,921 10,088 74%
Lane5,414 4,029 8,857 64%
Rogue Valley4,134 3,749 8,752 112%
Northwest Oregon3,357 2,255 7,311 118%
Southwestern Oregon1,745 2,195 4,801 175%
Eastern Oregon2,147 2,527 4,199 96%
Multi-area or unknown667 906 1,413 112%
ECONorthwest 87
Exhibit 65. Top Rogue Valley Occupations With the Highest Number of Job Vacancies, 2021
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
Share of all
OccupationVacancies
Vacancies
Retail Salespersons598 6.8%
Personal Care Aides473 5.4%
Cooks, Restaurant310 3.5%
Fast Food and Counter Workers305 3.5%
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers269 3.1%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment267 3.1%
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics267 3.1%
Nursing Assistants249 2.8%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners201 2.3%
Childcare Workers172 2.0%
Light Truck Drivers149 1.7%
Cashiers147 1.7%
Customer Sewice Representatives144 1.6%
Team Assemblers137 1.6%
Counter and Rental Clerks122 1.4%
Construction Laborers119 1.4%
Receptionists and Information Clerks110 1.3%
Business Operations Specialists, All Other101 1.2%
Waiters and Waitresses101 1.2%
All Occupations 8,752 100%
ECONorthwest 88
Exhibit 66. Rogue Community College Lower Division University Transfer Eligible Courses
Enrollment by Subject, 2010-2021
Source: Higher Education Coordinating Commission
7aQRKR\] ./& 8J\\\]N\\\] 9\[X`RWP @LL^YJ\]RXW\\ RW \]QN CXP^N GJUUNb$ *(*( c *(+( A\[XSNL\]RXW\\
Source: QualityInfo, Oregon Employment Department
ECONorthwest 89
8.Appendix B: Additional Survey Responses
Please indicate your overall assessment of the status Ashland’s economy
ECONorthwest 90
7aQRKR\] .0& 3\\\\N\\\\VNW\]\\ XO 3\\QUJWMd\\ 5^\[\[NW\] 7LXWXVRL D\]J\]^\\
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement about local capacity to
support economic diversification.
ECONorthwest 91
Exhibit 69. Level of Agreement with Statements about Local Capacity for Diversification
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
3%
Existing institutions and industry support economic
28%32%25%12%
diversification
Ashland attracts businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators
7%33%26%23%11%
from outside of the area
Ashland has a mixture of assets that promote economic
5%35%34%21%6%
development
3%
The current state of the local business climate supports
26%29%32%9%
economic diversification
0%20%40%60%80%100%
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
Exhibit 70. Length of Business Operation in Ashland
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
ECONorthwest 92
Question: Please indicate the relative effort you think should be given to each of the
following approaches to economic diversification
Respondents overall had a Exhibit 71. Preferred Approaches to Economic Diversification
slight preference for business
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Stakeholder Survey, Spring 2022
retention and expansion as
an area of focus for
diversification. On average,
respondents rated this 8%
higher as a priority than
supporting entrepreneurs
46.0%
and startups, though
54.0%
generally both received fairly
equal support.
Business retention and expansion
Supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups
Business-Specific Questions
Do you own or manage a business located in Ashland?
Of the 165 people who answered this Exhibit 72. Share of Business Owners
question, business owners made up Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, Spring 2022
over half of respondents (57%).
Within this group, 89% had a
company that was based in Ashland.
43.0%
In responses from business owners,
many wrote in responses about their
57.0%
business type. Here we drew some
assumptions and assigned as many
as possible to a specific NAICS code.
Based on these self-reported types,
the most common business types
were retail (14.8%); finance,
YesNo
insurance and retail (14.8%); tourism
and hospitality (12.3%); and other
services (12.3%).
ECONorthwest 93
What contributed to challenges in filling open positions?
Exhibit 73. Reasons for Hiring Challenges
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
What areas of training do your employees need?
Respondent Characteristics
ECONorthwest 94
The average age of survey Exhibit 74. Age of Survey Respondents by Selected Categories
respondents is 59 years; Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
14 years higher than the
40%
median age in Ashland in
34.4%
35%
2015-2019 of 45 years
31.9%
(Exhibit 59).
30%
25%
The minimum age of
19.6%
respondents was 30
20%
years, with the greatest
14.1%
15%
share falling into the 60-
75 years category.
10%
5%
0%
30-44 Years45-60 Years60-75 YearsOver 75
The majority of survey Exhibit 75. Gender of Survey Respondents
respondents identified as
Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
female (47%), slightly
higher than the share
identifying as male (40%).
Prefer to self identify or not say
12.4%
Female 47.1%
Male 40.5%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
ECONorthwest 95
The share of White Exhibit 76. Race/Ethnicity of Survey Respondents
respondents (94%) is Source: Ashland Economic Diversification Survey, 2022
roughly proportionate to
Ashland as a whole (91%).
The share of most
communities of color is
represented roughly the
same as the city overall;
however, the share of
Latino or Hispanic survey
respondents (1%) is lower
than the overall share in
Ashland (7%). The share of
American Indian or Alaska
Native respondents is
higher at 4% compared
with 1% in Ashland overall.
ECONorthwest 96
Memo
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Planning Commissioners
FROM: Derek Severson, ˠ˼˱˾˾˹˾˷ ˝˱˾˱˷˵̂
RE: Natural Gas Ordinance Update
At its June 6 business meeting, the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance
th
which would restrict the extension of natural gas infrastructure in new homes. The
Council heard testimony from Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
(CEPAC) chair Bryan Sohl about CEPAC research on possible policy approaches. The
Council responded by asking staff and the City Attorney to start drafting an
ordinance for Council consideration in the coming months. \[Follow this link to watch
the June 6 Ashland City Council discussion on a possible ordinance restricting
th
methane in new residential construction. This item starts at 28:20 into the meeting.
You can also read news coverage from JPR, RV Times, Oregon Live, and OPB.\]
CEPAC Chair Bryan Sohl, MD will be present tonight to update the Planning
Commission on this topic.
Memo
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Derek Severson, ˠ˼˱˾˾˹˾˷ ˝˱˾˱˷˵̂
RE: Climate Friendly Area Study
A draft study of potential Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) is presented for the
˓˿˽˽˹̃̃˹˿˾Ͻ̃ ̂˵̆˹˵̇ ̄˿˾˹˷˸̄ʾ ˤ˸˹̃ ̃̄̅˴̉ is required under the Climate Friendly &
Equitable Communities (CFEC) rules adopted by the Department of Land
Conservation & Development (DLCD) in 2022. This study is required to be submitted
to DLCD by December 31.
st
˒˱˳˻˷̂˿̅˾˴
CFEC Rulemaking
The CFEC rulemaking was initiated through an executive order to state agencies from
Governor Kate Brown in 2020 in response to the determination that Oregon was
significantly off-track in reaching greenhouse gas reduction targets previously
committed to by the state. Given that transportation is a significant contributor to
greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation is closely tied to land use, a primary
focus of these new rules is in changing land use and transportation planning to
require that cities identify Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) which can accommodate at
least 30 percent of current and future housing needs in pedestrian-friendly, mixed-
use areas where residents can live, work and play, and in so doing reducing or
eliminating the need to rely solely on automobiles for transportation.
Implementation of the CFEC rules includes a timeline of issues for cities to address
over the next several years including minimum parking requirements; studying
potential CFAs; zoning actual CFAs with associated map, code and plan
amendments; changing the methodology for transportation system planning to shift
the focus to modes other than just automobiles; and preparing housing needs
analyses and housing production strategies.
Meetings to Date
To date, meetings discussing the CFEC rulemaking have been held with the Planning
Commission (8/9/22), Council (2/22/23) and Transportation Commission (3/16/23).
˙˾ ˱˴˴˹̄˹˿˾ʼ ̄˸˵̂˵ ̇˱̃ ˱ ̀̅˲˼˹˳ ϼ˻˹˳˻ʽ˿˶˶Ͻ ˽˵˵̄˹˾˷ ˸˵˼˴ ̆˹̂̄̅˱˼˼̉ ʸ˂ʿ˃ʿ˂˃ʹ ˱˾˴ ˱ ̀̅˲˼˹˳
open house held in Talent focused on the potential climate friendly areas (4/13/23)
for Ashland, Talent and Medford. 3J Consulting conducted initial stakeholder
interviews early on, then distributed questionnaires at the 4/13 open house, and has
since conducted on-line surveys. The feedback received through these interviews,
́̅˵̃̄˹˿˾˾˱˹̂˵̃ ˱˾˴ ̃̅̂̆˵̉̃ ˸˱̃ ˲˵˵˾ ˹˾˳˼̅˴˵˴ ˹˾ ̄˸˵ ̀˱˳˻˵̄ ˽˱̄˵̂˹˱˼̃ ˶˿̂ ̄˿˾˹˷˸̄Ͻ̃
meeting.
ˠ˿̄˵˾̄˹˱˼ ˓˖ˑϽ̃
The current phase of implementation to be discussed tonight is a draft study of
potential CFAs to see if they can meet the CFEC requirements, determine likely code
changes that would be necessary for each to comply with the CFEC rules, and to
identify potential strategies to mitigate the impacts of gentrification or displacement
within the proposed CFAs.
The potential Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) identified for consideration in this initial
study include the Croman Mill District, the Railroad property, the Transit Triangle, and
the downtown. Each of these is discussed in detail in the draft study presented for
̄˸˵ ˓˿˽˽˹̃̃˹˿˾Ͻ̃ ˳˿˾̃˹˴˵̂˱̄˹˿˾ ̄˿˾˹˷˸̄ʾ
˔̂˱˶̄ ˣ̄̅˴̉
To implement this current phase of the CFEC rules, staff have been working with 3J
Consulting (3J) for the public engagement process and with the Rogue Valley
Council of Governments (RVCOG) to conduct spatial analyses and prepare the draft
CFA report under review tonight.
A key consideration with the draft report is that it follows the methodology set forth in
the CFEC rules and associated guidance provided by DLCD by looking at the full
potential developability of each CFA as though the entire area, less an allowance for
public streets, could be developed from bare ground, with all buildings maximizing
allowable heights and building lot line to lot line, without consideration for code-
required on-site stormwater detention, parking that might be voluntarily provided
(even though no longer required), or any project-specific open space, plaza space
or landscaping. Under this methodology, the potential build-out of the Croman Mill
District by itself is envisioned at a density of 79 dwelling units per acre yielding 5,142
dwelling units and more than providing for the 30 percent of current and future
housing required under the CFEC rules.
While the Croman District by itself could satisfy the CFEC requirements based upon
the methodology prescribed in the new rules, for staff the underlying assumptions of
that methodology do not seem totally in line with real world experience. First, in those
areas where there is some measure of existing development such as in the
downtown, it is neither realistic nor desirable to assume that all existing development
will be razed in pursuit of this new vision. Second, while parking is no longer required,
it seems safe to assume that developers, tenants, buyers and financial institutions
will all desire at least some amount of parking to accommodate the motor vehicles
which are, at least for now, still the preferred transportation option. Third, even with
allowances for increased height and the removal of limits on density, in the near-
term developers will likely work within the framework and scale familiar in southern
Oregon. With these factors in mind, staff believe that the combination of CFAs under
consideration here are a more realistic attempt to not only meet the CFEC
requirements, but also to achieve their underlying intent. To that end, staff note that,
if future development were to provide only 15 dwelling units per acre density which is
one of the minimum development metrics under the CFEC rules, the four combined
̀˿̄˵˾̄˹˱˼ ˓˖ˑϽ̃ ˹˴˵˾̄˹˶˹˵˴ ˹˾ ̄˸˵ ̃̄̅˴̉ ̇˿̅˼˴ ̉˹˵˼˴ ˃ʼˇˇˀ ̅˾˹̄̃ʾ ˤ˸˵ ̀̂˿˺˵˳̄˵˴ ˸˿̅̃˹˾˷
need required to be addressed under CFEC for Ashland is 3,469 units.
˞˵̈̄ ˣ̄˵̀̃
By ˔˵˳˵˽˲˵̂ ˃ˁʼ ˂ˀ˂˃ the city is required to forward the final study of potential CFAs
to the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for review. This is
only a study of potential CFAs - it is not a land use decision, is not subject to appeal,
and does not bind the city to ultimately select the ̃̄̅˴̉ ˱̂˵˱̃ ˱̃ ̄˸˵ ˳˹̄̉Ͻ̃ ˓˖ˑ̃ʾ ˣ̄˱˶˶
will incorporate input from the Planning Commission tonight and bring a final draft
back to the Planning Commission for a recommendation and then to the City Council
for approval in advance of the December submittal deadline.
Also by ˔˵˳˵˽˲˵̂ ˃ˁʼ ˂ˀ˂˃ʼ the city is required to modify parking codes to comply
with the CFEC rules. Under CFEC, since December 31, 2022 cities have been unable to
enforce parking mandates within ½-mile of frequent transit. With this next phase to
be completed by the end of this year, cities have the option to either eliminate
parking minimums citywide or to adopt parking regulations from a menu of options
˶˿̂ ̂˵˽˱˹˾˹˾˷ ˱̂˵˱̃ʾ ˙˾ ˑ̃˸˼˱˾˴Ͻ̃ ˳˱̃˵ʼ ̇˹̄˸ the Rogue Valley Tra˾̃̀˿̂̄˱̄˹˿˾ ˔˹̃̄̂˹˳̄Ͻ̃
ʸˢ˦ˤ˔Ͻ̃ʹ ̂˿̅̄˵̃ ˁˀ ˱˾˴ ˁˇʼ ˽˿̂˵ ̄˸˱˾ ˈˀ ̀˵̂˳ent of the city is not subject to parking
minimums and remaining areas are generally either already developed or
constrained by hillside lands, floodplains or water resources. Staff have been
working with 3-J Consulting to audit the land use ordinance with regard to parking.
As of early June, the cities of Portland, Tigard, Salem, Corvallis and Bend have all
entirely eliminated their minimum parking requirements, and this is the option that
staff will be recommending when we bring back potential code changes for Planning
Commission review later this summer.
In the next phase of implementation, by ˔˵˳˵˽˲˵̂ ˃ˁʼ ˂ˀ˂˄ the city will need to
formally adopt CFAs by amending the zoning and comprehensive plan maps and
making associated code and plan amendments to accommodate the required 30
percent of housing within CFAs.
Climate-Friendly and
Equitable Communities
Why this Rulemaking
In 2007, Oregon legislators adopted a policy and goal to reduce
Oregon’s climate pollution by 75% by 2050. That’s what the
science calls for, if we’re going to avoid catastrophic impacts to
our environment, communities, and economy.
Fifteen years later, we’re far off track in our efforts to meet those
goals – and we’re already experiencing real-world impacts of
climate disruption, with increasing wildfires, in size, severity,
and timing, and record heat waves that have cost Oregonians
their homes, and their lives.
We’re particularly off-track in reducing pollution from
transportation, responsible for about 38% of Oregon’s climate
pollution. On our current path, Oregon will only reduce
transportation pollution by about 20% by 2050. That means
we’re polluting far more than we hoped, meaning more extreme
weather events, more wildfires, more ocean acidification, and
more record heat waves. In response, Governor Brown directed
state agencies to promote cleaner vehicles, cleaner fuels, and
less driving.
Meanwhile, the State of Oregon is grappling with a troubling
history and current patterns of inequity and discrimination,
including in our land use, zoning, and transportation
investment (and disinvestment) decisions. Wealth and health
have been concentrated in the privileged, at the expense of
others. This rulemaking aims to take some steps in redressing
past harms.
Rulemaking Overview and Desired Outcomes
The Land Conservation and Development Commission launched
the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rulemaking in
September 2020. The commission directed the Department of
Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Oregon’s land use
planning agency, to draft changes in Oregon’s planning system
for communities in Oregon’s eight most populated areas (see
map at right).
The rules require those communities to change their local
transportation and land use plans to do more to ensure
Oregonians have more safe, comfortable ways to get around, and
don’t have to drive long distances just to meet their daily needs.
The rules also aim to improve equity, and help community transportation, housing, and
planning serve all Oregonians, particularly those traditionally underserved and discriminated
against.
What does that mean on the ground? It means having some areas where rules don’t get in the
way of more walkable neighborhoods. The rules ask 15 communities to designate climate-
friendly areas, and to allow people to build taller buildings providing more housing. The rules
don’t require taller buildings, but make sure those buildings are allowed. In climate-friendly
areas, a minimum density standard would help ensure transit can serve the neighborhood.
Other provisions of the rulemaking call for new buildings to support the growing electric vehicle
transformation, reduce one-size-fits-all parking mandates, and increase local planning
requirements to address critical gaps in our walking, biking, and transit networks. The rules ask
communities to identify transportation projects needed so our climate goals could be met.
The rulemaking is mainly about letting climate-friendly development happen where people want
to build it and the market calls for it. There’s a lot of demand for housing where people can walk
to where they want to go. While single-family homes will continue to be allowed and provide
most housing, Oregonians have a diverse set of housing desires and deserve more affordable and
climate-friendly choices. Those could better meet the changing shape of American households,
as nearly a third of homes hold just one person. But again, people can choose what best meets
their needs.
Equitable Mapping, Engagement and Decision-Making
One central outcome of this rulemaking is an increased
emphasis on equity. The rulemaking has worked to integrate
equity, starting withthe rulemaking charge and title. Equity
was key as DLCD attempted to have the composition of the
advisory committee reflect the diversity of Oregon’s
communities, and equity was one of the first tasks tackled by
the group.
The rulemaking advisory committee spent significant time at
many of its meetings discussing equity, and developed an
Equitable Outcomes Statement to guide the rulemaking
drafting and implementation. The rulemaking conducted a
racial equity analysis of the rules and an analysis on how the
rules could be improved to serve people with disabilities. The
committee subsequently reviewed a table listing how each item
in the Equitable Outcomes Statement was or was not brought
forth into the draft rules, and what next steps might be.
The rules define traditionally underserved populations to include Black and African American
people, Indigenous people, People of Color, people with limited English proficiency, people with
disabilities, low-income Oregonians, youth and seniors, and more. They require mapping of
traditionally underserved populations, local consideration of a set of anti-displacement actions
should decisions contribute toward displacement, centering the voices of underserved
populations in decision-making, and regular reporting on efforts to engage traditionally
underserved populations.
Climate-Friendly Areas
A climate-friendly area is an area where residents, workers, and
visitors can meet most of their daily needs without having to
drive. They are urban mixed-use areas that contain, or are
planned to contain, a greater mix and supply of housing, jobs,
businesses, and services. These areas are served, or planned to
be served, by high quality pedestrian, bicycle, and transit
infrastructure to provide frequent, comfortable, and convenient
connections to key destinations within the city and region.
Why are climate-friendly areas important? A key component of
Oregon’s plan to meet our climate pollution reduction and equity
goals is facilitating development of urban areas in which
residents are less dependent upon the single occupant vehicle.
Before the automobile became common in American life, cities
grew more efficiently, with a variety of uses in city centers and
other areas that allowed for working, living, and shopping within a walkable or transit accessible
area. Over the last 100 years,the automobile and planning practices have served to separate
activities, creating greater inequities within cities and widespread dependence upon climate-
polluting vehicles to meet daily needs. Climate-friendly areas will help to reverse these negative
trends, with some actions taking place in the short term, and others that will occur with
development and redevelopment over time.
The rules require cities, and some urbanized county areas, with a population over 5,000 within
the seven metropolitan areas outside of Portland Metro to adopt regulations allowing walkable
mixed-use development in defined areas within urban growth boundaries. The rules for the
Portland Metro area support implementation of the region’s 2040 Growth Concept. Areas will
be sized to accommodate a portion of the community’s housing, jobs, and services. Local
governments will determine where these areas will be located, but many of these areas will likely
be established in existing downtowns that may currently allow for mixed uses and higher
densities.
Associated requirements will ensure high quality pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure
is available within these areas to provide convenient transportation options. The rules provide a
process for local governments to first identify potential climate-friendly areas, then later to
adopt development standards for the areas best-suited for this purpose. The rules provide some
minimum requirements for climate-friendly areas, with a set of clear and objective standards
that may be adopted, or a process for local governments to craft their own standards. Cities of
more than 10,000 will monitor housing production within these areas over time and develop
strategies to facilitate desired development.
Reforming Costly Parking Mandates
Excess parking has a significant negative impact on
housing costs, business costs, the feasibility of housing
development and business redevelopment, walkability,
air and water pollution, climate pollution, and general
community character. Parking mandates force people
who don’t own or use cars to pay indirectly for other
people’s parking. Carless households tend to be the
poorest households. Parking demand varies significantly
from development to development, and about one-sixth of Oregon renter households own zero
vehicles. Planning practices of the past have imposed a one-size-fits-all requirement everywhere,
creating incentives to own more cars and drive more.
The rules encourage the diversity of parking needs to be met by the diversity of development.
The rules would reduce or remove costly parking mandates for desired types of development,
such as smaller housing types, small businesses, childcare facilities, multi-family housing, and
historic buildings. The rules would completely remove parking mandates within one-half mile of
frequent transit and three-quarters of a mile of rail stops, where parking demand is lower per
unit.
The rules give communities options to improve parking management. Those who adopt best
practice parking policies would get more flexibility. The rules require cities with over 100,000
population that choose to continue to mandate off-street parking to eventually charge at least 50
cents per day for 10% of on-street parking spots.
Getting Ready for Oregon’s Electric Vehicle Future
Making our vehicles cleaner is a key part in meeting Oregon’s climate goals.
Oregonhas a vision where 90% of new vehicles will be electric by 2035. To
meet that goal, we need to ensure people can charge their vehicles. The
most convenient place to do so is at home, but many Oregonians live in
older multi-family homes that would be very expensive to retrofit.
Thus, the rules require new housing and mixed-use development with at
least five units would include electrical conduit (pipes) to 40% of spots,
ready for adding wiring and charging stations to support electric vehiclesas
the market expands.
Planning for a Future of Transportation Options
DLCD and other state agency partners including the Oregon Department of
Transportation will provide a range of new and amplified services to help meet
greenhouse gas reduction goals, including grants, technical assistance, tools,
and publications, to help local governments adopt plans that meet or exceed the
state’s climate pollution reduction goals.
Local governments in Oregon have been required to make coordinated land use
and transportation plans for decades. The updated rules would require local
governments in metropolitan areas to:
Plan for greater development in transit corridors and downtowns, where
services are located and less driving is necessary;
Prioritize system performance measures that achieve community
livability goals;
Prioritize investments for reaching destinations without dependency on
single occupancy vehicles, including in walking, bicycling, and transit;
Plan for needed infrastructure for electric vehicle charging; and
Regularly monitor and report progress.
Planning to Meet Our Climate Goals
DLCD’s regional greenhouse gas reduction program allows areas to work
together to consider statewide, regional, and local needs and issues. The flexible
regional planning process allows communities to study economic development,
fiscal impacts, resource use, pollution impacts, and the effects of different
choices on the state, region, community, or households. The results are
intended to help local government community members, elected and appointed
leaders better understand issues and quantify the effect of potential policies as
they review and update the area’s long-range plans and make investment
decisions.
The rules expand requirements for regional plans to meet the state’s climate
pollution reduction targets from the Portland metropolitan area to the next
largest metropolitan areas in the state (Eugene-Springfield and Salem-Keizer)
initially. Other metropolitan areas will be required to evaluate their local plans
towards meeting the state’s climate pollution reduction targets and amend their
local plans towards meeting the target.
Community Engagement
We’ve heard from lots of Oregonians over the past
eighteen months. We’ve heard from a 40-person advisory
committee including representatives from all of Oregon’s
impacted eight urban areas, several people who are home
builders, realtors, representatives of the trucking
industry, affordable housing advocates, land use
advocates, community-based and other community-
serving organizations.
To supplement those deliberations, staff held two
separate series of virtual community conversations in
2021 – five in the spring, and four in the fall. Staff have
hosted a series of nine technical work group meetings on specific topics, a series of practitioner
meetings with local government staff in each region, and dozens of additional meetings with
local elected officials, planning staff, and interest groups.
Upcoming conversations include events focused on what will be needed at the community level
to support implementation and ongoing engagement strategies.
We’ve heard from hundreds of Oregonians who have attended one or more of the scores of
meetings, community conversations, work groups, or practitioner meetings, and from hundreds
of people who’ve submitted comments (summary here). Our rules are better for it, having
continued to evolve and improve.
But the engagement won’t end there – the rules require local governments to engage their
communities as they make key decisions on how the rules apply locally. If you’re interested in
these issues, we encourage you to stay engaged.
Implementing the Rules: Resources and Timelines
Local governments are responsible for implementing the rules. Many of the rules take effect
when a community next conducts a major update of its Transportation System Plan (TSP), a
community’s core document describing its transportation needs and future plans. The rules
state most plans should be updated by December 31, 2029. The rules have Salem-Keizer and
Eugene-Springfield areas on a schedule to do regional scenario plans and update their TSPs by
the end of 2027.
The land use components of the rules have specific deadlines. Communities are asked to study
potential Climate-Friendly Areas by December 31, 2023, and adopt Areas by December 31,
2024. Parking reform is scheduled to happen in two phases - the first at the end of 2022, and the
second by June 30, 2023. Communities may ask for some flexibility around most of these dates.
DLCD is providing or working to find resources for local governments to do this work, along
with our agency partners at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon
Housing and Community Services Department. The Oregon Legislature provided $768,000 to
assist with implementation on land use, and ODOT has identified another $18 million to assist
with transportation plan updates.
Learn More
Information on how to get implementation updates via email and many additional materials can
be found at www.oregon.gov/lcd/CL/Pages/CFEC.aspx
Contact Information
Evan Manvel, Climate Mitigation Planner
evan.manvel@dlcd.oregon.gov
971-375-5979
Cody Meyer, Land Use and Transportation Planner
cody.meyer@dlcd.oregon.gov
971-239-9475
Kevin Young, Senior Urban Planner
kevin.young@dlcd.oregon.gov
503-602-0238
July 2022
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155 N First St
P.O. Box 3275
Rogue Valley
Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 664-6674
Council of Governments
Fax (541) 664-7927
City of Ashland
Climate Friendly Area
Study
Council of Governments
Rogue Valley
Council of Governments
Rogue Valley
Council of Governments
Rogue Valley
Council of Governments
Rogue Valley
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Council of Governments Council of Governments
Rogue Valley Rogue Valley
Climate Friendly Areas Study
City of Ashland, OR
June 9, 2023
R
ogue Valley
Council of Governments
155 N First St
P.O. Box 3275
Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 664-6674
Fax (541) 664-792
Memo
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Planning Commissioners
FROM: Derek Severson, ˠ˼˱˾˾˹˾˷ ˝˱˾˱˷˵̂
RE: 2023 Planning Commission Retreat
Prior to the June 27 study session, staff will distribute a Doodle poll to gauge
th
Commissioner preferences for a date and time ˶˿̂ ̄˸˵ ˓˿˽˽˹̃̃˹˿˾Ͻ̃ ˂ˀ˂˃ ˑ˾˾̅˱˼
Retreat.
ˤ̉̀˹˳˱˼˼̉ʼ ̄˸˵ ˓˿˽˽˹̃̃˹˿˾Ͻ̃ ˱˾˾̅˱˼ ̂˵̄̂˵˱̄ ̇˹˼˼ be 4-6 hours, and include time to
socialize, discuss timely topics, share a meal, and make site visits to recently
approved projects which are now completed or to city facilities. There was discussion
this year, after reviewing the recent Water Treatment Plant (WTP) application, of
visiting the existing WTP and Reeder Reservoir. In recent years, the retreat has
occurred during the work week, typically from 8:00 p.m. to around 2:00 p.m. and has
included coffee and pastry in the morning and catered lunches. Based on
Commissioner discussion at the last meeting, it seems that a late afternoon/early
evening time (3:00 to 7:00 p.m.) during the work week may be preferrable.
Staff will bring doodle poll results with proposed retreat dates to the meeting.
Commissioners may wish to bring their calendars to the meeting to confirm and
finalize the retreat date. It would also be helpful to hear any preferences in terms of
discussion topics or sites to visit.