HomeMy WebLinkAbout10052021 Planning Commission minutesCity of Central Point
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
October 5, 2021
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:01 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance
III. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Tom Van Voorhees (chair), Jim Mock, Kay Harrison, Pat Smith were
present.
Also in attendance were Planning Director Stephanie Holtey, Community Planner Justin
Gindlesperger and Accounting Business Services Coordinator Rachel Neuenschwander.
IV. CORESPONDENCE
None.
V. MINUTES
Kay Harrison made a motion to approve the August 3, 2021 minutes. Pat Smith
seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Kay Harrison, yes; Jim Mock, yes; Pat Smit, yes;
Motion passed.
VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
None.
VII. DISCUSSION
A. Cottage Housing Discussion.
Stephanie Holtey, Planning Director discussed the updates to Title 17, the City's
Zone Ordinance. The purpose of this project is to re -organize and update the
City's zoning regulations to be clear and reflect current planning needs and
challenges in Central Point. Due to the strong need for housing in our community,
the City is starting with changes to the residential zones and associated chapters.
As part of the residential code amendments, the City is implementing
recommendations in the Housing Implementation Plan (HIP) that was approved in
December 2019. The focus of the HIP is to increase housing supply and
affordability by adding new housing types, eliminating barriers and increasing
density. Ms. Holtey stated that the purpose of the discussion was to introduce
cottage housing as a new housing type for the City including definitions and
common components of cottage housing regulations. As a follow up to this
discussion, Commissioners were invited to a cottage housing tour on October 18,
2021. She explained that this will be an opportunity to see local examples of this
housing type and to learn how zoning code changes impacted the outcomes of a
development built before and one after cottage housing rules were adopted by the
City of Ashland.
Ms. Holtey gave an overview the different standards and key features of cottage
housing, such as size, open space options, density, design, parking, frontage, and
utility requirements
The Planning Commissioners discussed the need for cottage housing and how it
could serve the city. This is not something that is currently in the city and there
was some concern as to where in the city these developments would fit in. There
was a request for more information on the different zones locations and what is
allowed in those zones. Ms. Holtey stated she will bring this information back after
the cottage housing tour.
B. Minor TSP Amendment Discussion 6:51 pm
Stephanie Holtey, Planning Director introduced a proposed Minor Revision to the
Transportation System Plan (TSP) concerning improvements at the intersection of
Highway 99 and Scenic Avenue.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has received funding through
the All Road Transportation Safety (ARTS) Program to signalize the intersection at
Highway 99 and Scenic Avenue and apply a road diet (i.e. 4 lanes to 3 lanes with a
center turn lane from Mile Post .42 to MP 1.64). The proposed improvements
extend from the jurisdictional boundary on Highway 99 north to Exit 35. To receive
funding for design, engineering and construction through the ARTS Program,
ODOT needs the City to amend the TSP to include all improvements associated
with the project. Currently, Project No. 230 in the City's TSP lists the signal but
does not include the road diet. The City is proposing the Minor Amendment to the
TSP to support ODOT's project, which will ultimately address safety concerns at
this location.
The commissioners had some concerns over the safety of this intersection and
what the impact would be on the community as a result of decreasing road
capacity and how it will accommodate traffic in the event of an emergency. There
was a question about the impact of planned improvements connecting Highway 62
to Exit 35 via Highway 140. Ms. Holtey advised that agencies could weigh in on
these questions as part of the legislative process. She recommended the Planning
Commission direct staff to schedule and provide notice for a public hearing.
Kay Harrison made a motion to direct staff to schedule and notice a public hearing
on Project No 230. Jim Mock seconded the motion, which was unanimously
passed.
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS
None.
X. MICELLANEOUS
A. DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Ms. Holtey gave an overview of the Planning & Current Development map that
shows current planning applications and development inquiries received during the
month of September. There is a Pre Application Conference scheduled to consider
a land use and zone map amendment on the Walmart Property. The proposed
changes would result in the addition of some residential land for multifamily
housing. Land fronting East Pine Street would remain in a commercial land use
and zoning designation.
Ms. Holtey stated that there have been multiple inquiries for an existing single
family dwelling with and accessory dwelling unit. She reported that a prior
interested buyer learned that there are contamination issues in the main dwelling
necessitating its rehabilitation or removal. This site provides a redevelopment
opportunity that could accommodate middle housing types, such as a courtyard
apartment, cottages, etc.
Justin Gindlesperger gave an update on Scenic Heights Phase 2 next to the new
Scenic Fire Station, and stated that Human Bean's application was approved last
Friday to put in a small coffee kiosk with a walkup window on Biddle across from
Meadowbrook.
Mr. Gindlesperger provided an update on the upcoming changes to flood insurance
rating methodology. He reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) is starting to implement changes in how flood insurance rates are
calculated. The changes will result in better assessment of risk based on a wide
variety of factors. From what staff has learned, the City's Community Rating
System (CRS) program will become more important to reducing risk and keeping
insurance rates more affordable in Central Point.
At this time he reported the City is going through a CRS audit.. The city is
currently at a class 6, which earn a 20% discount on premiums. Based on
completion of the hazard mitigation plan, we may obtain class 5 to increase the
discount by another 5%. Staff will provide a report on the CRS audit results in the
coming months.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Pat Smith moved to adjourn the meeting. Kay Harrison seconded the motion. Meeting
was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Tom 1ranVoohrees, Planning Commission Chair