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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes - November 13, 2006City of Central Point Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - CP-5 & CP-6A November 13, 2006 6:00 P.M. A Citizens Advisory Committee meeting was held in City Council Chambers on November 13, 2006, commencing a[ 6:00 p.m. Present were Joe Thomas, Herb Farber, Sam Inkley, Jr., David Painter, and Dick Halley, City Council liaison to [he Citizens Advisory Committee. Also in attendance were Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, Don Burt, Planning Manager, Connie Clune, Community Planner, and Didi Thomas, Planning Secretary. Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, thanked everyone in the audience for attending the meeting and for taking the opportunity to participate in a govemmen[ process as the City of Central Point looks towazds making changes to its Urban Growth Boundary. Following introductions of staff and committee members, Don Burt, Planning Manager, advised that no decisions were going to be made this evening -that the purpose of the gathering was for staff to provide background information and to obtain input from property owners. Mr. Burt stated further that staff was available [o answer any questions that might be raised. Mr. Burt then proceeded with a power point presentation covering the following issues: What an Urban Growth Boundary is - a geographical boundary with lands designated for urban development for future needs in the next 20 years in adequate quality and quantity. Lands need to be developable. Why do we need an Urban Growth Boundary -State of Oregon requires a UGB adequate in area to support 20 years worth of future growth. Based on Jackson County population projections for the next 20 yeazs, it is anticipated that Central Point will add 8,200 people to its current population. This increase in population will create a need for 950 acres of buildable land. Currently there is an estimated 280 acres of buildable land within the existing UGB for future development. Based on preliminary estimates, an additional 670 acres need to be added to the UGB. The City's options would be to: 1) include development capacity of lands already inside the curzent UGB; 2) expand the UGB; 3) both. The City of Central Point anticipates utilizing option #3 -both. Citizens Advisory Committee November 13, 2006 Page 2 Population variables would include the size of households -the average of which is projected to be 2.5 - 2.7 persons per household. Density is projected to be 5.5 6 units per acre in the future in order to use less land and use it more efficiently. Guidelines jor the location of an Urban Growth Boundary come from the Slate of Oregon: • Efficient accommodation of identified land needs • Orderly and economic provision of public facilities and services • Comparative environmental, energy, economic and social consequences; and • Compatibility of [he proposed urban uses with neazby agricultural land outside of UGB The City anticipates a possible expansion pattern to be north to Wilson Road as utilities are located neazby (there aze, however, some storm drainage issues in this azea); expansion west of Gebhard Road, north above Scenic Avenue and west of Gran[ Road as services are available to these areas. The priority ojplacing lands to be included within a UGB would include: Land designated urban reserve (currently being worked on but not yet designated); Land adjacent to an urban growth boundary identified as an exception azea or non-resource land. Resource land may be included if completely surrounded by exception areas; Land designated as marginal land (ORS 197.247 - we don'[ have any of these lands in Central Point); and Land designated for agricultural or forestry use. Following Mr. Burt's presentation, many neighbors came forwazd to either ask questions or express concerns with the proposed UGB expansion into their neighborhoods: Bernice Redlingshafer thought that eventually her property would become par[ of the City of Medford and wanted to know if the State of Oregon had indicated approval for addition of this property to [he City of Cenval Point Tom Humphrey responded that under [he current RPS process, we were limiting our selection to property north of Beall Lane. It was suggested at a recent meeting that we look a[ properties south of Beall Lane which is why Mrs. Redlingshafer received a notice. Mr. Humphrey added [hat once a pazcel of land has been selected for inclusion into [he UGB, it would be eligible to receive City water, and that further, regardless of the RPS process, lands that come into the UGB are not required [o annex into the City. Myrna Biondi questioned whether the City would use "eminent domain" to take land away from property owners. Mr. Humphrey stated that many people distrusted government. The City has tried very hard to take some of the mystery and suspicion out Citizens Advisory Committee November I3, 2006 Page 3 of its activities. The only time the City has used "eminent domain" has been for road right-of-way. It has been fortuitous that the Twin Creeks development has provided for school needs. Don Burt added that the Ciry could not use the power of eminent domain for private development purposes -but can for things like parks or schools. He also pointed out [hat [here is a stringent system in place to provide fair market value for properties acquired by the government. Jane Henry asked if her property could be subdivided once it was annexed into the City and if so, what would the size of the lots be. Mc Humphrey explained that any lands taken into a UGB would be given zoning designations which could prove to be even better for a property owner than a county designation. Dan Colcleaser stated that he liked where he was living because of the sense of openness. He asked if the City had taken a look at the Flanagan property, and wouldn't it be better for the City to take in undeveloped property and then develop it. Mc Humphrey responded that the property (Flanagan's) is prime farm land and the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development had not okayed inclusion of the parcel in question. Mr. Colcleaser then asked who was responsible for designating lands as "prime". Mr. Humphrey stated that through the RPS process, farmers and foresters looked at the land and designated the land according to its soil type. Sam Inkley, Jr. added that the State does not like to give up farm lands. Consequently, we have to look at land that has already been subdivided. The City goes th and retrofits the land with curbs, gutters and sidewalks, and therefore, it is more beneficial for the City to go into larger parcels and master plan them. We are currently being directed to look at existing subdivisions. Herb Fazber mentioned [hat part of the Citizens Advisory Committee's task is to make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council and before the evening is over, he would like to see a show of hands of how many in the group are in favor of an Urban Growth Boundary expansion into their area and how many don't Mr. Fazber added [hat the Regional Problem Solving process has been going on for approximately 10 years. It is a long process, and nothing happens quickly with the government. Terry Ainsworth came forward and asked if they could get city services as they need water. Don Burt explained that once they aze in the UGB they are eligible for City water but would have [o sign an agreement for annexation. Mr. Humphrey added that the cost of water would be 1 %: times the current rate with a reduction in rate upon annexation. Jim Geiger questioned what the zoning designation of their area would be if brought into the Urban Growth Boundary. Don Burt said that it would likely be zoned low density residential with pockets of higher mixes. Once we have talked with neighbors m all areas, we will begin allocations. Herb Farber added that if zoning designations are mixed, projected density is obtained. There would be some areas with apartments, duplexes and single family residential lots. Mr. Humphrey mentioned that mixes in use prevented blight in an area and added that every attempt would be made to maintain a small town feel. Citizens Advisory Committee November 13, 2006 Page 4 Joanne Vazley asked if properties didn't have to be located within an urban reserve area prior [o becoming part of a UGB. Mr. Humphrey said that some of [he urban reserve areas have been tentatively approved. The regional group has signed off on area CP-5. Mrs. Vazley then asked if there would be public input on the zoning of new areas that would be brought into the UGB. Don Burt pointed out that procedurally, we are required [o identify densities. Each land use has a different density, and the City would need to justify to the State that the land use mix met the City's projected density requirement. Sam Inkley, Jr. pointed out that the green areas on the proposed expansion map are more desirable because they are already residential. The red areas would be the last to be ventured into as there are more issues [o address. Fred Thomas questioned whether the entire green parcel would be included or just selected properties. Don Burt indicated that a parcel of land would have to be adjacent to the Urban Growth Boundary in order to annex into the City. The green exception areas would be looked at in their entirety. Ray Doss asked if we had the option of restricting growth. Tom Humphrey responded that the City of Ashland gets away with it because they have elected not to add any additional land to their inventory. An economic analysis has been done for Jackson County and projections are conservative. Jacksonville wants to remain a "village" because that is their identity. A city can decide its own future. The City of Central Point's elected body would like [o see the City grow and manage the growth responsibly. Vem Weaver wanted to know what would happen to wells and whether irrigation would be provided. Herb Farber responded that when land is urbanized, wells are required to be abandoned according to certain rules regarding the filling and capping off [he wells. Generally speaking, using a dual water system for irrigation is more costly than just using city water. The biggest concern with this type of arrangement is contamination of the City water system and irrigation water would have to be kept separate. Mr. Humphrey commented that the City has been coordinating with [he Rogue River Valley Irrigation District to not cut off irrigation water. Charlotte Thomas asked what would happen to farm animals upon annexation. Dick Halley related a story about a horse that was grandfa[hered in until it became a nuisance. Mrs. Thomas added that we might want to think about what we want to see in the next 20 years. Tim Higginbotham questioned whether exception lands would be developed first. Don Burt answered that once the UGB is established, annexation will be based on contiguity to the City limits. Duane Mallams stated that the State of Oregon waived the requirements for a city to update its UGB when that city entered into the RPS process. Tom Humphrey stated that Citizens Advisory Committee November 13, 2006 Page 5 the RPS process evolved from a disagreement between the City of Medford and Jackson County and each city has signed on to look at growth in [he Rogue Valley. We already have approval of some of the urban reserve azeas; others aze still in [he process of negotiation. Don Burt said that he wasn't sure whether or not there was an agreement 10 years ago not to expand [he UGB. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development has given us a go ahead to proceed with an Urban Growth Boundary amendment. The RPS process is not mandatory; the UGB process is. Mc Mallams continued that he had been a representative of the citizens' planning process for RPS 10 years ago and it had been agreed that there would be no development west of Gran[ Road because of the presence of farm lands. He stated that he is adamantly against an Urban Growth Boundary expansion and sees an end to a quiet, rural life style; that he sees new houses mixed in with old; decreased livability; a sea of rooftops; construction noise for years to come; an increase in crime, traffic and street lights. Mr. Mallams felt that the City was trying to accommodate new residents who weren't even here yet. Mr. Mallams expressed concern that [here would be an end [o cows, chickens, sheep and goats in [he area. Tom Humphrey told Mr. Mallams that [he process hasn't been concluded ye[ but that the State of Oregon has advised the City of Central Paint [o look at all exception areas. Joe Thomas thanked everyone for attending the meeting Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.