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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-0607.SS.MINMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION June 7, 2000 Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street CALL TO ORDER Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. ATTENDANCE Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hanson, Wheeldon and Fine ware present. Staff present included City Administrator Mike Freeman, Assistant City AdministraU3r Greg Scoles, Public Works Director Paula Brown and Director of Community De~telopment John McLaughlin. PRESENTATION ON THE REGIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT Project coordinator, John Eeds provided background information on regional growth planning in the Bear Creek V alley. He explained that the project was originally awarded to facilitate long-term planning in Jackson County in the geographical area centered around the cities of Jacksonville, Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Medford, and unincorporated White City. He explained that these jurisdictions have been working together for almost two years to establish an urban reserve for Medford. He stated that the project' s fast order of business was to considar additional participants, as well as identifying the final study area. The cities of Ashland and Talent ware specifically identified as important potential additions. Eads explained the LCDC policy history, procedures and how it would affect communities that participate in th.e. Regional Problem Solving Project. The Regional Problem Solving Project is outlined as the following: Short Description: Achieving self determination through regional cooperation or "How can we plan nicely together." Major Task Areas: Governance, public involvement and communication, future non-growth ereas, and future growth Governance Tasks: Establish policy committee; establish technical committen; formulate decision-making process; invite additional participants; determine fmal study urea; establish resource lands review committee (RLRC) (requirecO; ensure on going and final jurisdiction and state buy off. Public Involvement & Communication Tasks: Establish project citizen involvement committee (PCIC); mobilize jurisdiction citizen involvement committees (JCICs) goals; public presentations on request; maintain project web page, distribute copies o four region report to committees and stakeholders. Future Non-Growth Areas Tasks: Determine most valuable agricultural areas; critical review of FCA (farming conservation zone) concept; determine non-buildable ureas; determine buffer areas (between jurisdictions); design standards for buffer areas, determine most valuable open space areas; critical review of open space zone concept; non growth plan (endresult). Future Growth Areas Tasks: Establish high end population range; determine in-fill and redevelopment potential for each jurisdiction; draft map of future growth areas; project population in future growth areas; adjust future growth areas proposal; examine allocation of future growth areas; fmal growth areas; proposal; periodic review,jobs/hoasingbalance; utilities. Eads noted that Michael Cavallaro, the Executive Director of Rogue Valley Council Governments, was present to answar any questions. Eads shared that rural homes~ads are going to be very rare and valuable and explained the restrictions that are placed on parcels less than 10 acres in size. June 7, 2000 Study Session Page 1 of 4 Eads felt that the benefit that the community of Ashland could receive from participation is having some type of control over the development standards in the lands on the fringes of the city, and further into the county, possibly including the interface with the City of Talent. Suggested that at some point, there will likely be some form of regional government in Southern Oregon, either voluntary or state-lml~osed, and having a participatory stake would be wise at this point. Laws commented that with the anticipation of the city building on EFU land surrounding the city, and concerns with the view shed, it may be wise to be a part of this group to have a say in the decisions that are made. Shaw not impressed with how land use has been managed outside the City of Ashland and used examples of prior projects completed by other communities that were not managed well. She does not feel that others in the region appreciate what is trying to be done in Ashland and this is the reason why she would be hesitant to join. She did comment that it would be wise for the city to participate as she supports the concept of the project and should keep in mind what we hope to create in Jackson County. She feels that this is an opportunity to encourage other communities in their regional growth planning. Shaw also stated that if this process is used as a way to circumvent State Land Use Policy she would be very disappointed. Laws suggested that there have bean real changes going on in attitudes in the county, and cited Medford, Central Point, Jacksonville and Talent as examples. Noted his optimism about the future for the county, and noted his belief that Ashland should be involved. Reid felt strongly that communities should work tugether, as the valley is really one linked community. Emphasized her desire for the city to be involved in this process, and her hope that social engineering issues can be addressed. Shaw discussed concerns with unincorporated areas, and the need to include transportation infrastructure with any large scale development. Shaw stated that any efforts made will only be as strong as those who are at the table, and for that reason Ashland should be involved. Assistant City Administrator Greg Scolas explained that if the council intends to be involved, then someone from the city's political leadership will have to be involved at all levels. Community Development Director John McLaughlin concurred with Scolas that individuals ~'om the city political leaders would need to be represented in all the committees that are organized for this project. Eads explained that the project is biannual with a plan completed at this time to send to the State for approval. He stated that the facilitation of this project can be difficult, but that this project is designed to eliminate most or the problems associated with regional sovereignty issues. Emphasized that some difficult issues, such as grovah allocation, do not require that an agreement be reach although they will be considered. He explained that the project is driven by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments. Eads explained that the other communities have adopted resolutions when joining this program, and stated that he will send copies of these resolutions to Ashland. TOLMAN CREEK ROAD LID Reid exphined that she had nquested a progress report on the Toiman Creek Road LID and noted her concern when this pwject was not included in the recently passed budget. She stated that there is a public safety issue due to the pedeswian and automobile Waffic, and suggested that she would like to get back on track in moving this project forward. Community Development Director John McLaughlin explained that there have been some conflicting issues regarding this project, and commented on the role that Public Works plays in forming local improvement districts (LIDs). McLaughlin noted that the Strawberry/WestwoodLID has been given priority in the past few months since the council action on the LUBA remand. June 7, 2000 Study Session Page 2 of 4 McLaughlin explained that there is only enough money in this fiscal yeer's budget to do either Swawberry/Westwood or Tolman Creek. He stated that it is a matter of priority and requested council direction, as Strawberry Lane is in the current budget and Tolman Creek is in the next fiscal year budget. McLaughlin stated that the Tolman Creek project was stopped when council asked staff to look at arterial slrms. He stated that a street design has not been done at this time for Tolman Craek, but that a street design has been completed for Sirawberry/Westwood. Shaw noted how violently the neighborhood had responded to the possibility of an LID, and suggested that Reid needs to be more fair to staff given the history of the LID and the other projects assigned to staff. Laws noted his preference to move the Sl~awberry/Westwood before the Toiman Creek project mainly because the Toiman neighborhood continues to be divided over what they want done. Expressed his feeling that consideration should be given to the fact that Swawberry/Westwood is further along than the Toiman Creek project, and recognized that given the new LID policy council needs to provide more clear direction staff as to their priorities. Freeman noted the land use issues involved, and noted the difficulty that would be encountered in frying to switch directions. Brown emphasized that there are other smaller LIDs on the list, which would need to be pushed flirther down on the list to do these projects in the same year. Reid swessed her desire for staff to give some type of idea of a timeframe for when the Tolman Creek project may begin. Brown explained that the design phase for Strawberry, which should take about six months, is slated for the second half of the 2000 calendar year. Construction of Strawberry would than begin around May of 2001. Toiman Creek Road design is anticipated to begin in June 2001 and then will follow the normal steps requind to move this type of project forward. Brown stated that this LID should be completed in October 2002, and is included in the capital improvemants plan. Brownemphasizedthattheream~therissuesbesidessidewalkshere~and~therthingsthatneedtobed~neaspart of this project, including storm dm'ms. Brown noted that staff has dealt with ODOT on this project, and has applied for a grant for Mistletoe Road and Toimun and has done bike lane work. Fine stated that he shares Reid's concern regarding the safety issues and feels that staff has been given the proper priority on sis part. Emphasized that this has been a time consuming process, but that it has to be to get the level of community involvement sought. Council discussion of the sense of urgency they feel for addressing Waffic problems on Toiman Creek Road. SISKIYOU BLVD/GRESHAM/E. MAIN INTERSECTION Public Works Director Paula Brown presented map of proposed changes to intersection and nquested direction from council in regards to who is going to pay for what pieces. Brown noted the possibility of seeking jurisdiction over this intersection from ODOT, and discussed some of the proposed design elements. Noted that discussions are underway to determine how to best utilize Gresham Slreet parallel parking to serve the library, as well as adding parking on Siskiyou and looking at possible island redasigns. Noted which pieces will be done as miscellaneous concrete projects, and which will be part of the library redesign, the fire station, and the Siskiyou Boulevard redesign. Brown stated that the area in front of Evo's could be a raised crosswalk and would help to slow traffic, and that this could be included in next year's miscellaneous concrete projects. McLaughlin stated that this crosswalk could also be added into the Downtown Plan for sidewaik/erosswalk improvements. June 7, 2000 Study Session Page 3 of 4 Laws suggested that speed limit signage could be moved further down Siskiyou Boulevard, and Brown stated she could look into this further. Hauck stated that changing the speed limits along this area on Siskiyou might be a good interim At Fine's request, Brown stated that she would follow up with ODOT in regard to the possibility of a signal at this intersection being put in at state expense. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. Submitted by Barbara Christensen City Recorder June 7, 2000 Study Session Page 4 of 4