HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-21 RPS Issue Resolution Recommendations
RESOLUTION NO. 2010- t:? /
A RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND
RECOMMENDING RESOLUTION OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE
CITY OF ASHLAND AS PART OF ADOPTION OF THE GREATER BEAR
CREEK VALLEY REGIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING PLAN.
Recitals:
A. WHEREAS Pursuant toformer ORS 197.654 (I) (2007), Jackson County and the cities
of Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix and Talent, entered into a
collaborative regional problem-solving (RPS) process; and
B. WHEREAS the City of Ashland (City), as a participant in RPS, having signed a
Participants' Agreement identifying a regional land use problem, establis~g goals addressing
the problem, creating mechanisms for achieving such goals, and a system for monitoring the
implementation and effectiveness of the those goals; and
C. WHEREAS the Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Problem Solving Plan (the "RPS
Plan") contemplated by the Participants' Agreement has been proposed under the provisions of
former ORS 197.654(1) andformer 197.656(2), which remain applicable to this RPS process;
and .
D. WHEREAS Jackson County is the local government charged with adopting the final RPS
Plan; and
E. WHEREAS the RPS process must include: (a) An opportunity for involvement by other
stakeholders with an interest in the problem; and (b) Efforts among the collaborators to agree on
goals, objectives and measures of success; and
F. WHEREAS the City has been requested to make recornmendation(s) to Jackson County
concerning the contents and adoption of the final RPS Plan, including associated maps and
findings; and
G. WHEREAS the City's Planning Commission discussed and took comments on the RPS
Plan on April 27, 2010 and the City Council conducted a public meeting on the RPS Plan on
June 15,2010,2010; and
H. WHEREAS, all requirements for legal notices and advertisements have been fulfilled and
public testimony accepted and recorded; now, therefore, ,
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I - RPS PLAN. The City Council of Ashland hereby recommends Jackson County's
adoption of the "Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Plan", attached as Exhibit "A", and
associated findings as amended with the following provisions:
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1. Population - That the population allocations be reviewed and adjusted
accordingly prior to adoption by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.
Specifically, the Regional Problem Solving Plan must be amended to reflect a
2040 population projection consistent with an approximate 1.06 average annual
growth rate (AAGR), and a 2060 population projection consistent with an
approximate 0.91 average annual growth rate for Ashland over the r~spective
planning horizons. While Jackson County's Population Element is expected to be
revisited in 2012 (JC Ord. 2007-3), it must be amended prior to final adoption of
the RPS Plan by the County. The Population Element must be revised based on
the 1.06 percent annual growth rate through the 2020 planning horizon, and the
0.91 percent annual growth rate through the 2040 planning horizon.
Population estimates must be corrected for Ashland and all other participants to
reflect these projected growth rates, or alternate growth rates based upon an
accepted, empirically based population projection methodology prior to adoption
by the Board of Commissioners.
2. Efficient Land Use and Transportation PlanninglImplementation - That the
Regional Problem Solving Plan incorporates a commitment to applying land use
strategies that increase target densities and promote a healthy mix ofland uses that
influence greater use of a full range of transportation options (i.e. walking,
cycling, transit and rail).
Participants should commit to a higher target density, lower land need scenario of
approximately 7.26 dwelling units per acre (as suggested by DLCD), which would
provide densities more conducive to supporting a successful regional transit
system. Should meeting the target density for an urban reserve area prove to be
infeasible due to the location, physical characteristics of the land or lack in
proximity to existing or planned transit route, the target density may be met by an
increase in Plan density elsewhere in the UGB at a location without these or
similar constraints.
The plan shall include measures to verify compliance with these commitments as
part of any proposed urban growth boundary expansion, for instance by the
preparation of conceptual development plans identifying proposed residential
and/or employment densities.
Participants should commit to a meaningful increase in the average density within
an existing urban growth boundary prior to any expansion into urban reserve
areas.
3. Urban Fringe - That the Regional Problem Solving Plan be amended to provide
some formal assurance that the ten-acre minimum. lot size requirement, as
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outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule 660-004-0040(8)(c), will remain in place
within Ashland's urban fringe until Ashland identifies urban reserve areas and an
urban reservt; management agreement between Ashland and Jackson County is
signed.
4. Jurisdictional Transfer - That jurisdictional transfer of County roads within
existing city limits as suggested in John Vial's June 4, 2010 letter should not be
tied to the adoption and acknowledgement process for the RPS Plan.
This issue, only recently raised by the County, may have significant budgetary
implications which need to be further considered by the Cities and the County.
5. High Value Farm Land - That Jackson County should reduce the total amount
, of critical commercial agricultural lands included in urban reserve areas.
The City of Ashland believes that the adoption of the higher density/lower land
need planning scenario and a more accurate population allocation will reduce the
total amount of land needed to accommodate future urban growth, and would
allow a reduction in the amount of high value farm land included in the proposed
urban reserve areas.
6. Housing Strategies - That Jackson County identify a specific timeline during the
Regional Problem Solving Plan adoption process for the creation of regional
housing strategies that strongly encourage a range of housing types throughout the
regIOn.
Diverse and affordable housing options close to work, school and shopping are an
essential element to managing growth, supporting economic development,
providing s'ihools and public services, and reducing the environmental and social
impacts of growth.
signing by the Mayor.
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder ),
SIGNED and APPROVED thiPO day of t/~
Stromberg, Mayor
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