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Home My WebLink About2023-07-25 Planning PACKET Planning CommissionAgenda Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Planning Commission meeting is encouraged to do so. If you wish to speak, please rise and, after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and complete address for the record. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair. July 25, 2023 Study Session AGENDA 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 July 25, 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/95262206024 IV.OTHER BUSINESS A.Croman Mill Site Update - Townmakers, LLC B.Legislative Update V.OPEN DISCUSSION VI.ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting Date: August 8, 2023 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 Total Page Number: 1 Total Page Number: 2 Total Page Number: 3 Total Page Number: 4 Memo DATE: July 25, 2023 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Derek Severson, ˠ˼˱˾˾˹˾˷ ˝˱˾˱˷˵̂ RE: Townmakers/Croman Mill District Update Following several quarterly updates to the City Council regarding the redevelopment plans for the former Croman Mill site, the Planning Commission had requested that the developer, Townmakers, LLC, provide a status update to the Commission. In early May, site sampling was conducted by SCS Engineers, the property owners environmental engineering consultant, with oversight by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ staff are scheduled to discuss preliminary test results at the July 31, 2023 City Council study session as they work with the property owner to develop a clean-up plan. Townmakers has indicated that the site will need to be cleaned and a No Further Action letter provided by DEQ before their plans move forward. At the most recent Council presentation on June 5, 2023 key issues were: Discussing potential phasing to ensure an acceptable balance of commercial and residential square footage in the phasing plan. Discussing the possibility of the City creating an urban renewal district to utilize tax increment financing options to fund needed public infrastructure. Townmakers team will be available to provide an update to the Commission at the July 25 study session and answer any questions Commissioners may have. th Townmakers has provided the attached packet material to inform this discussion. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 51 Winburn Way Tel: 541.488.5305 Ashland, Oregon 97520 Fax: 541.552.2050 ashland.or.usTTY: 800.735.2900 Total Page Number: 5 Ɏ Ɏ 1 Ɏ 1 Total Page Number: 6 Ɏ Ɏ Total Page Number: 7 Total Page Number: 8 Total Page Number: 9 Total Page Number: 10 Memo DATE: July 25, 2023 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Derek Severson, RE: 2023 Legislative Update After a six-week walkout by some senators made it seem uncertain, the Oregon State Legislature was ultimately able to conclude the 2023 regular session with the passage in the areas of housing, natural and working lands, and wildfire resilience. These bills are outlined in the attached. Given the number of bills passed at the end of the session, staff have relied upon materials compiled by several groups including the League of Oregon Cities, 1,000 Friends of Oregon, the Oregon Environmental Council and the Building Resilience Coalition to prepare this summary. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 51 Winburn Way Tel: 541.488.5305 Ashland, Oregon 97520 Fax: 541.552.2050 ashland.or.usTTY: 800.735.2900 Total Page Number: 11 ˶˴˶˷ ĠĶŁƍŗõƖŁƱĠ ËƅĘõƖĠ kūƝƍŁŢĶ (®´²¨¦ ¥®± !«« PASSED HB2001 What it does: This bill establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) framework and ensures that Oregon cities and the state enact a full set of land use tools, related investments, and other strategies to support building housing for all, in every neighborhood. (The OHNA was initially outlined under HB 2889), which is now a technical clean-up bill.) Why it matters: OHNA updates the way the state and cities plan for, invest in, and ensure housing production, so that every Oregonian has the opportunity for an affordable housing choice in every community in keeping with Oregon land use Goal 10, Housing. The bill is also intended to take pressure off of lands that produce food and fiber and provide clean air, water, and natural habitat. 2¤´²¤ #®¬¬¤±¢¨ « "´¨«£¨¦² ¥®± 7®±ª¥®±¢¤ (®´²¨¦ HB2984 PASSED What it does: This bill will allow, within urban growth boundaries (UGBs), the conversion of buildings from commercial use to housing without a zone change or conditional-use permit. It prohibits local governments from requiring more parking and limits collection of system development charges. Total Page Number: 12 Why it matters: This bill will enable the reuse of buildings that are well-located and soundly built, but for which there may no longer be viable commercial use, especially after pandemic-related changes to how and where people shop and work. These structures can still provide needed housing in existing communities while preserving existing buildings. - ´¥ ¢³´±¤£ $¶¤««¨¦² £ 0 ±ª² PASSED HB3151 What it does: This bill offers financial protections and incentives to tenants in manufactured home parks, expands the definition of affordable housing to include include constructing new parks (not just acquisition of existing parks). Why it matters: of the most affordable home ownership opportunities for Oregonians, and one that can be developed fairly quickly: manufactured housing parks. #«¤ ± £ /¡©¤¢³¨µ¤ 2¤²¨£¤³¨ « $¤µ¤«®¯¬¤³ PASSED HB3197 What it does: HB 3197 clarifies that clear and objective standards for residential development apply only inside urban growth boundaries (UGBs). Why it matters: Residential development UGBs; further enabling residential development outside of UBGs does not make sense where the land is zoned mostly for farming, forestry, and natural resources. These areas are not residential zones. Instead, this is where housing is minimized, so as to support, and not conflict with, farming and forestry and Total Page Number: 13 not interfere with streams, habitat, wetlands, and other natural resource areas. In these areas, statutes and rules have properly given local governments discretion to weigh factors and consider conditions in deciding whether a residential use will adversely interfere with these resource uses. (®´²¨¦ !¢¢¤²²¨¡¨«¨³¸PASSED HB3309 What it does: This bill requires the Housing and Community Services Department to assess the amount of housing it funds that includes accessibility features, estimate the amount of unmet accessible units in the state, review rules and building code standards that are applicable to accessible units, and file a report with the legislature in September 2024 with its findings and any recommendations. Why it matters: This bill aims to increase the overall supply of accessible housing units in Oregon. (®´²¨¦ 0 ¢ª ¦¤ PASSED HB3395 What it does: HB 3395 contains many housing proposals including: Makes it easier to use commercially zoned land inside urban growth boundaries (UGBs) for affordable housing. Requires all cities with populations over 2,500 to allow duplexes on all single-family lots in residential zones. Makes it easier to site emergency housing shelters inside UGBs. Allows residential developments of four or more attached units that share a common kitchen on residentially zoned lands. Total Page Number: 14 Directs grants for community housing supporting agricultural employees. Provides funding to local governments to support housing development efforts. Why it matters: These provisions make it easier to develop a range of housing for all, including people with moderate and lower incomes, in all communities. (®´²¨¦ ¥®± !«« PASSED SB406 What it does: SB 406 adds the cities and certain unincorporated communities in Tillamook County to the list of cities around the state that must comply with HB 2001 (not to be confused with this ). That previous legislation was directed at cities with more than 10,000 people, of which there are none in Tillamook County. Why it matters: With this bill, the seven incorporated cities and the named unincorporated communities in Tillamook County will have to allow middle housing in all their residential zones, and they will also be potentially eligible for funding and planning assistance from DLCD. Tillamook County and its cities have voluntarily chosen to participate in this program, to provide more diverse and affordable housing options for residents and workers. Total Page Number: 15 õƖƝƉõŗ Υ àūƉŔŁŢĶ õŢĘƍ̭ aūūĘ ºƸƍƖĠşƍ̭ õŢĘ ¶ƝƉõŗ >ŗŁşõƖĠ ºūŗƝƖŁūŢƍ Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package (SB 868, 869, 870, 871) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. Community Resilience Hubs (HB 2990) - Funds community resilience hubs and networks across the state to coordinate and provide access to resources and services for vulnerable populations during disasters. Natural Climate Solutions (SB 530) - Supports cost-sharing to leverage tens of millions in federal investments for Oregon forestland owners, farmers, and ranchers to implement climate-smart land management practices, increasing carbon sequestration and improving the resilience of Oregon communities and natural resource economies. Oregon Climate Council Modernization (SB 522) - Provides long- overdue staffing and representation on the Oregon Global Warming Commission. Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle Rebate Program (HB 2714) - Creates a DEQ program that can compete for $1 billion in federal IRA funding for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle rebates. Trees Restoring Economic and Environmental Stability Act (HB 3016) - Creates a Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program at DLCD to Total Page Number: 16 fund communities to develop projects that increase tree canopy, improve livability, and support water quality and conservation. Climate Protection Program Fee Bill (HB 3196) - Supports DEQ oversight to ensure the Community Climate Investment program achieves its intended climate pollution reduction goals and benefits for communities of color, rural, low-income, Tribal, and other communities across the state. Harmful Algal Blooms (HB 2647) - Protects Oregonians from harmful algal blooms in drinking water, which are likely to occur more often due to shifting precipitation patterns from climate change. Woody Biomass for Low-Carbon Fuels (HB 3590) - Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Siting Renewable Energy (HB 3181) - Directs DLCD in coordination with ODOE to find opportunities and minimize conflicts on siting of solar projects in Oregon through engaging stakeholders in a rulemaking advisory committee process. Why it matters: The package of bills recognizes the potential of working and natural lands to address climate change by sequestering carbon and supports the land-stewardship activities of farmers and ranchers. It also reinforces the reasons to protect farm and forest lands. 2´± « %¢®®¬¨¢ $¤µ¤«®¯¬¤³ PASSED HB3410 What it does: This bill provides funding for various rural economic- development opportunities around the state, including increased funding to Total Page Number: 17 the Department of Agriculture to support grant programs that assist meat processors in meeting the requirements of the new State Meat Inspection Program. Why it matters: This funding will create new opportunities for Oregon ranchers to bring meat to the retail market. 5¯£ ³¨¦ ³§¤ & ±¬ $¨±¤¢³ - ±ª¤³¨¦ , ¶ PASSED SB507 What it does: farmers to bring certain low-risk, value-added products to farmers markets and their farm stands. This has strengthened local and regional food systems, as countless farmers and communities, particularly in rural Oregon, have benefited from the increased economic capital generated by farm-to- consumer sales. Why it matters: By expanding the allowed product lines, the bill expands the economic benefits to growers from direct farm marketing. /¬¨¡´² &´£¨¦ "¨«« PASSED SB5506 What it does: This bill includes funding for critical activities related to working lands, including: The Morrow and Umatilla Drought Relief Aquifer Recharge and Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project Systems, which provides site-specific technical assistance and research Total Page Number: 18 to all farmers interested in incorporating climate-smart, healthy-soil practices. The Oregon Community Food Systems Network to develop regional food- system infrastructure and support small-scale farms and ranches. Oregon Farm to School grant program, supporting education, school food programs, and food producers across the state. -®±¤ (®´²¤² ® % ²³¤± /±¤¦® & ±¬« £ PASSED SB70 What it does: Expands the farmland available to be rezoned to residential use SB 16. Those homes could be clustered or individually sited on some farmlands throughout the Eastern Oregon Border Region. Why it matters: SB 70 opens up farmland in irrigation districts and in the Snake River Valley viticulture area (AVA) to new residential development not related to farming or ranching. $¤¤¯ $± ¥³ . µ¨¦ ³¨® #§ ¤«² PASSED HB3382 What it does: In its original form, this bill would have allowed deep channel dredging and other activities in five Oregon ports, without application of statewide land use planning Goal 16 (Estuaries). Based on advocacy by land use and environmental watchdog groups, the bill was amended to apply only to the Port of Coos Bay, and now requires an applicant to go through the land deep-water channel and engage in certain other activities in that estuary. However, it also Total Page Number: 19 recognizes that such dredging and other activities can qualify for an exception. Why it matters: HB 3382 effectively amends Goal 16 (Estuaries) without the normal process required in amending a land use goal or any related rule. ÄƉõŢƍƅūƉƖõƖŁūŢ !«³¤± ³¨µ¤ 4± ²¯®±³ ³¨® /¯³¨®² ¥®± 3¢§®®«² PASSED HB3014 What it does: This bill gives greater flexibility to school districts in funding multimodal, active transportation options for kids to get to school. Why it matters: Providing safe ways for kids to get to school on foot, bike, and bus means healthier kids and fewer cars on the road. >ŗŁşõƖĠ HB 3630 State Energy Strategy PASSED What it does: This package of bills requires the State Department of Energy to policy objectives, including renewable energy, and includes: State Energy Strategy (HB 2534) - Directs ODOE to develop a comprehensive state energy strategy that identifies optimized pathways Total Page Number: 20 County Energy Resilience Planning (HB 3378) - development of energy resilience planning and integration into wildfire mitigation plans. Resilient, Efficient Buildings - ODOE One-Stop-Shop (HB 3166) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. Environmental Justice and Tribal Navigator (SB 852) - Establishes a program within ODOE to provide information about state and federal funding opportunities and other technical assistance to rural, Tribal, and other environmental justice communities as they work to develop energy projects or build energy-related capacity. Residential Solar Rebate Program Extension (HB 3418) - Lifts sunset on solar and storage project rebates for residential customers and low- income service providers, extending the program through January 2029, enabling the program to potentially receive and distribute tens of Residential Heat Pump Program Extension (HB 3056) - Supports Deployment Programs established by the 2021 legislature to bring much- needed heat relief to Oregon communities. Community Renewable Energy Grant Program - Provides funding for the legislature in 2021, to support planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Why it matters: The current lack of a state-level energy plan significantly hinders integration of renewable energy needs with agricultural, natural resources, ranching, forestry, coastal resources, and community needs. This comprehensive state energy assessment and strategy will set the stage for a Total Page Number: 21 more coordinated, public-oriented system of energy generation and transmission. #&%# /¬¨¡´² &´£¨¦ PASSED SB5506 What it does: This omnibus funding bill includes funding to continue by cities within the major urban areas of the state. Why it matters: To implement CFEC rules intended to reduce transportation- related greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical that cities have adequate funding and technical support to plan for climate-friendly areas. àŁŗĘĴŁƉĠ ¶ĠƍŁŗŁĠŢĒĠ Υ ²ƉĠƅõƉĠĘŢĠƍƍ 3³ ³¤ ( ¹ ±£ - ¯¯¨¦ PASSED SB80 What it does: This bill reclassifies the state wildfire map as a hazard map (riskunclassified category. It also focuses community outreach, education, preparedness and resiliency investments, assistance, and standards in high-hazard areas and those areas with vulnerable populations. SB 80 also establishes several funds and programs: the Landscape Resiliency Fund, Community Risk Reduction Fund, and Wildfire Home Preparedness Program for these purposes. The home-preparedness program will aid in the Total Page Number: 22 retrofitting and building of dwellings to be resistant and resilient to wildfire, focusing on economically- and socially vulnerable communities. Why it matters: Senate Bill 80 indicating the exposure to wildfire hazard that exists based on landscape- scale climate, weather, topography, and vegetation. This will enable the map to be more effectively used as originally intended: as a guide for where to focus investments, technical assistance, on-the-ground crews, infrastructure protection, evacuation planning, and appropriate regulations to make Oregon families and their communities more wildfire prepared and resilient. , £ 5²¤ ǉ 7¨«£¥¨±¤ /¬¨¡´² &´£¨¦ PASSED SB5506 What it does: This omnibus funding bill includes several provisions related to land use planning and wildfire: Funding for the Oregon Conservation Corps which, among other things, carries out defensible space work. Funding for wildfire mitigation. o͇˹ ;ƉŁĘĶĠ ¶ĠƅŗõĒĠşĠŢƖ )³¤±²³ ³¤ "±¨£¦¤ 2¤¯« ¢¤¬¤³ &´£¨¦ PASSED HB5005 What it does: portion of the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program, with HB 2098 being the policy bill heard in the Joint Committee on Transportation in the earlier part of the Total Page Number: 23 session. Several policy disagreements existed with that legislation, and it did not pass. This, combined with the walkout, left an unclear path forward on how Oregon was going to navigate this transportation funding question. In the last days of session, the legislature made an unprecedented move to pay for the entirety of this project from the general fund. Why it matters: This bill involves replacing the I-5 bridge with a seismically safe replacement that expands transportation options over the Columbia River. ºĠşŁĒūŢĘƝĒƖūƉƍ Semiconductors PASSED SB4 What it does: SB 4 makes $210 million of state money available to assist for federal funding made available by the CHIPS and Science Act, and it supports higher-education institutions, workforce development, and site readiness for semiconductor expansions. The bill gives authority to the Governor to bring a certain number of sites, of specific sizes, into an urban growth boundary (UGB) by executive authority only if there is no other available land for possible semiconductor expansion. Why it matters: ial and educational incentives will help grow high-tech workforce for the future and bring existing industrial lands to full readiness. special executive authority expires at the end of 2024, and land brought inside a UGB under this law would be removed from the UGB if federal funding was Total Page Number: 24 not ultimately awarded for the project at hand. As a result of this SB 4 process, cities across the state have put forward industrial sites within their UGBs that are large and well-suited to high-tech development and as such, there is a good chance that the Governor's new executive authority will not be needed. Total Page Number: 25