Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 7/2/2013 City of Central Point Planning Commission Minutes LMay 7,2013 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:05 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Chuck Piland, Mike Oliver, Susan Szczesniak, Tom Van Voorhees, and Kay Harrison were present. Craig Nelson was not present during roll call. Tim Schmeusser was absent. Also in attendance were: Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, Don Burt, Planning Manager; Connie Clune, Community Planner; and Didi Thomas, Planning Secretary. III. CORRESPONDENCE —None IV. MINUTES Mike Oliver made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2013 Planning Commission study session. Kay Harrison seconded the motion. L ROLL CALL: Oliver, yes; Szczesniak, yes; Van Voorhees, yes; Harrison, yes. Motion passed. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES —None VI. BUSINESS A. Comprehensive Plan 2013 Economic Element, File No. 13010. A public hearing to consider a resolution forwarding a favorable recommendation to the City Council to approve the City of Central Point Economic Element. Applicant: City of Central Point There were no conflicts or ex parte communications to disclose. Torn Humphrey, Community Development Director, explained that the Economic Element was one of several elements in the City's comprehensive plan. Commissioner Craig Nelson arrived at 6:10 p.m. Mr. Humphrey said that prior to an expansion of the City's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the City must demonstrate the need for additional land. The L Planning Commission Minutes May 7, 2013 Page 2 components of the proposed Economic Element will substantiate and ensure adequate land and appropriate sites for growth over the next 20 years. Mr. Humphrey reviewed national trends and how these trends affect local economies and consequently the need for regional competitiveness in those categories that are more prominent in the Rogue Valley. Median wages and employment in Oregon were compared with those in Central Point. Emerging businesses going forward will rely on the trucking and transportation industries to provide jobs. Additional land is needed to attract this industry and others with larger employment bases. In addition, Mr. Humphrey expressed the need for more vacant and available buildings which would enable existing businesses and home occupations to expand and attract new businesses as well. Growth rate and land demands were reviewed by Mr. Humphrey along with estimates for future retail and office and industrial needs. Specialty foods were mentioned as an additional business sector likely to grow at a rapid rate. Don Burt, Planning Manager, pointed out that following a Citizens Advisory Committee review of the Element, additions were made in the area of education. Many policies were eliminated from the original Element presented due to redundancy. Policies, Mr. Burt said, should be flexible. Land and infrastructure need to be in place to take advantage of opportunities as they occur. The public hearing was opened and as no one came forward to speak, the public hearing was then closed. Tom Van Voorhees made a motion to approve Resolution No. 791 forwarding a favorable recommendation to the City Council to approve the City of Central Point Economic Element. Susan Szczesniak seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Szczesniak, yes; Van Voorhees, yes; Nelson, yes; Harrison, yes; Oliver, yes. Motion passed. VII. DISCUSSION Central Point/Jackson County Urban Growth Boundary and Policy Agreement Tom Humphrey explained that at the time of the approval of the City's original comprehensive plan, an agreement was entered into with Jackson County for management of the Seven Oak Interchange as an area of mutual planning concern. Before the City can expand its Urban Growth Boundary into any of the Urban Reserve areas, it has to address the Gibbon/Forest Acres as a second area of mutual planning concern. Staff recommends amending the City/County agreement to include Gibbon/Forest acres and that the Expo property also be designated an Area of Mutual Planning Commission Minutes May 7, 2013 Page 3 Planning concern. The possible inclusion of the Expo property as an Urban Reserve Area will be considered at a later time. Commissioner Kay Harrison suggested that each area have a separate agreement as they are different areas with distinctly different problems, needs and opportunities. Tom Humphrey said that he would take these comments to the County for further discussion. Don Burt suggested that each property be listed specifically under definitions. Mr. Humphrey reiterated that the agreement presented was just a rough draft which would be refined based on discussions that he will have with the County and then get a plan amendment moving. There was general consensus amongst commissioners to proceed with a plan amendment. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS IX. MISCELLANEOUS X. ADJOURNMENT Mike Oliver made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Craig Nelson seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the May 7, 2013 Planning Commission meeting were approved by the Planning Commission at its meeting on the day of 2013. Planning Commission Chair L