ESTACADA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005 – 7:00 PM

CITY HALL

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

 

2.         ROLL CALL

 

Present:  Cm. James, Cm. McGregor, Cm. Copeland, Cm. Crosby, Cm. Webber, Chrm. Cameron, CP McCallister, PWF Randall, DCR Hovda.

 

3.         ANNUAL ELECTION OF CHAIR & VICE-CHAIR

 

Consensus was to re-appoint Allen Cameron for Chair and Tom Sager for vice-chair. 

 

4.         APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 16, 2004 MINUTES

 

Consensus was to approve the minutes as presented.

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARING

 

A.     Subdivision application #2004-4.  The applicant, Scott Espedal, is requesting a 37 lot residential subdivision for property described as 34E, 21C, tax lots 1200, 1202 & 1303, which is zoned R-1 (low density residential).  The application is subject to the criteria in Section 16.16, 16.104-16.116 of the Estacada City Code.  Upon recommendation by the Planning Commission, a final public hearing will be held by the City Council on Monday, February 14, 2005, at 7:00 pm in the Estacada City Council chambers.  The property is located east of the terminus of Oakview Drive and on the south side of Coupland Road. 

 

CP McCallister reviewed the staff report, which recommends approval with conditions.  He reminded the Commission that they will be making a recommendation to the City Council, who will hold a final public hearing on February 15, 2005.  CP stated there are several lots on this plat map that are under 7,500 square feet, which would have to be re-designed for the plat to be approved.  CP stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission voted unanimously last night to not accept the proposed park area and to not waive Park SDC’s. 

 

PWF Randall stated that the City has received preliminary plans back for the Devey Estates.  The City is looking for options of serving this 6 lot subdivision with water. 

 

Chrm. Cameron opened the public hearing and read a statement regarding evidence.  He asked for abstentions or ex-parte contact, there was none.

 

Leonard Smith, Pac West Engineering, Albany, Oregon, fully supports the staff recommendation.  The applicant has been working with Mr. Whitesell regarding these two developments and explained the benefits of working together.  They would like a condition of approval that if either neighboring property (Whitesell or Devey) develops then it will provide access to this development and allow them to go forward.  This way if the Devey development of 6 lots does not improve the access, then the applicant can gain access through the Whitesell subdivision, if necessary. 

 

Cm. McGregor doesn’t feel it is feasible to allow another 37 homes to come through Oakview and onto Carol Street without those roads being improved. 

 

Cm. Crosby stated that potentially it is 260 homes between Whitesell, Devey Estates, and this application, that could come down through Carol Street.

 

Chrm. Cameron feels there could be some drainage problems from Wade Creek down through this area.  Mr. Smith stated they could add systems to reduce the impact on Wade Creek. 

 

Jerry Polzin, 450 NE Carol Street, lives right across from the intersection of Carol and Ginseng.  He is very concerned with the impact of this application on Carol Street.  He stated the road is not adequate, nor is the drainage.  He doesn’t feel this project should be approved until Carol Street is improved, unless you want to require the applicant to improve Carol Street.  There are safety issues with children and traffic in this neighborhood, and urges the Commission to not approve this application. 

 

Mr. Smith feels it would be better for the community to have Carol/Oakview Streets improved.  He feels it would typically be the responsibility of the neighboring property owners, but stated they would be willing to participate on a fair share basis and help fix this problem.  He feels it is beyond the control of his developer, but is willing to work with the City if they want to take on this project.

 

The Commission discussed the conditions of approval of Devey Estates as they relate to the improvements to Oakview/Carol Streets. 

 

The Commission discussed the right of way widths along Carol Street.  CP stated there is 50’ right of way width along Carol, which is adequate for improvements.  Oakview is where it narrows, and there is not adequate width for improvements.  The Commission feels a sidewalk would also be needed along these roads. 

 

Cm. James feels that at some point the owners of the Walker property will want to develop their property and would have to dedicate the necessary right of way.  CP has had preliminary conversations with a developer regarding developing this property into approximately 17 lots.  Cm. James feels that perhaps we should move forward with this application and then allow the opportunity for the Walker property to be developed and the problem will fix itself. 

 

Jerry Polzin wants the Commission to seriously look at where all of the property owners from these 260 lots will go when they need to take their kids to school.  He doesn’t feel they will use Regan Hill, they will use Carol Street.  He stated that the City has suggested an LID for the property owners along Carol Street, but feels it isn’t fair when all of Ginseng and Westview use Carol Street instead of Regan Hill and 4th Street. 

 

Cm. Sager asked if we could require an additional road charge for the applicant to help fix the street problems.  CP stated that the City does charge transportation SDC’s for each lot that is developed.  Those revenues can be used for any project on the capital improvement list. 

 

Cm. Crosby feels that the intersection of Shafford and 6th Street will also a concern when talking about adding 260 homes accessing these roads. 

 

Cm. James suggested only allowing access for this subdivision through Whitesell estates until such a time that Carol and Oakview are improved.  CP stated that the Commission can do that, but it has to be reasonable to expect that condition to be satisfied within 2 years, otherwise it would not be a legal condition.

 

Chrm. Cameron closed the public hearing and reopened the Planning Commission meeting.

 

Cm. McGregor doesn’t feel we should approve any additional lots in this area until Carol and Oakview Streets are improved.  He doesn’t feel it is fair to the existing property owners to move forward without these improvements. 

 

Chrm. Cameron stated that the City should contact the Walker property owners and see if they are willing to give up the property necessary to improve this area if the City is willing to do the work now, instead of waiting and then they would have to do the improvements themselves.

 

The Commission discussed the fact that the City doesn’t have the funds available to improve this area, but they could form LID’s. 

 

The Commission discussed continuing the public hearing to allow more time for staff and the applicant to look at possible solutions for improving Carol and Oakview Streets. 

 

Mr. Smith stated that they are concerned with the time frame and are looking for approval by agreeing to participate in the improvements.  They would rather have a condition of approval that requires the developer to participate in a solution to this problem to the extent of their fair and equitable share.  They would like to see this application move forward.  He doesn’t feel that it is fair to hold up this development for a problem that this property owner did not create.

 

Chrm. Cameron stated it would be too vague to just require them to participate in the improvements to the extent that they impact the area, because it is not easy to measure how much they impact the area. 

 

Cm. McGregor moved to continue this public hearing to the February 24, 2005 meeting to allow the developer, City Planner, and City staff time to seek a plan for improving Carol and Oakview Streets.  Cm. Crosby seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.