HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/1999 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1999
The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, June 21, 1999, at 6:03 p.m., with Mayor Maine presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Maine, Councilors Ballew, Hatfield, Leiken and Simmons. Councilors Fitch and
Lundberg were absent (both excused). Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City
Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members of the staff.
1. Presentation of the Draft Jasper Natron Specific Development Plan for Review and Comment.
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City Planner Mark Metzger introduced this item. He provided council with a handout of the Plan
Public Process, design concept maps and executive summary recommendations. He also introduced
John White, President of JD White Company, Don Hardy, JD White Company and Harry Hoglund,
Lane County. In 1998 the city received a $65,000 state grant to fund a consultant team to assist with
the creation of the Jasper-Natron Specific Development Plan. The project seeks to craft a new land-
use plan for an 81 O-acre tract of rural land southeast of Springfield. The area will be bisected by the
anticipated Jasper Road Extension linking Highway 126 with Jasper Road. Construction of the
extension is expected to be completed within the next three years. It is timely to establish a new land-
use plan for the area, as public utility construction plans are emerging. Review and comment on the
Draft Jasper-Natron Plan is being sought as the project enters its final phase in preparation for
adoption proceedings.
The Jasper Road Extension will open an area about the size of the current Thurston neighborhood to
new development. Planners and stakeholders involved in the grant are interested in pursuing a design
philosophy called "nodal development" for the area. Nodal development is a concept creating
neighborhoods with a variety of housing types and town centers that contain a mix of neighborhood
retail and other compatible uses serving area residents. These town centers would be served by more
frequent transit service. They are designed for livability and seek to enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and
transit travel options.
The JD White Company of Vancouver, W A is the city's consultant on the Jasper Natron project.. The
firm has worked with staff and a stakeholder committee for over a year in preparing a new
development plan for the area. In addition to a series of stakeholder meetings, a community open
house was held to solicit public input in the planning process.
Staff and the consultant presented the Draft Jasper Natron Specific Development Plan to the Council
for its review and initial response. A similar presentation will be made to County Commissioners
Weeldreyer and Dwyer on June 21 st.
As comment are collected from the review of the Draft Jasper-Natron Plan, revisions will be made in
preparation for anticipated adoption proceedings in October/November.
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Grant funding for the project ends on June 30, 1999. Staffwill continue to work on revisions to the
Plan and will carry it through the adoption process. Staff time for the remaining work will be
integrated into the Division's on-going work program. .
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June 21,1999
Page 2
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The Specific Development Plan key facts and issues were also reviewed. They included the project
area, planning goals, market issues shaping development, market scenario, and physical constraints
affecting development and other issues for consideration.
Mr. White provided an overview of the project. He referenced a map and discussed urban zoning
designations. He also discussed the wetlands. He discussed open area, marshland and trails. He did
not anticipate much more use of the central area. Mr. Metzger discussed the area that would remain a
wetland area. They discussed the roadway and intersection areas. He discussed an intersection north
of the area. They were trying to ensure that the campus area had a direct link to the roadway. He said
this was a long-term proposal for build-out. Mr. White discussed the lot sizes proposed for
development, uses that require less land. He said people should be able to access facilities within
walking distance so they can live and work within close proximity. Mr. White discussed a site
development similar to this proposal, located in Washington, and said employees do reside close to
their place of employment.
Councilor Ballew asked about wetlands. Mr. Metzger said it would be classified as a low-cost
wetland area. It was not a stereotypical type of wetland. Mr. White said it is located at the bottom of
a site and receives a lot of runoff. Mr. Metzger said they were attempting to achieve livability. The
lengths of the city blocks would be short so you would not have to walk far to reach your destination.
He said they had a small group of landowners that were working together on this plan, along with
addressing sanitary sewer issues. Mr. Metzger said this type of cooperation would assist in success of
the proposal. Mr. Metzger said the larger slops of land would serve as sites for higher end homes.
Another section would be for mid level income homes. He discussed high-'density homes in and near.
the village area.
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Councilor Hatfield discussed the proposal and discussed housing opportunities.
Mayor Maine discussed concerns regarding zoning. She wondered if commercial should be located
away from the busy section and more toward the residential area. She discussed serving the
neighborhood and employees. Mr. Metzger discussed the industrial area serving as a buffer between
the railroad and residential area. He also discussed visual issues along with the nodal development
concept. Mr. White discussed balance and absorption of industrial land.
Mayor Maine discussed the difference between development ready property and other property. Mr.
White fUliher discussed the reasons commercial was being proposed rather than industrial. He
discussed concerns and the need for relying on commercial uses.
Councilor Hatfield said in looking at this area as commercial, speed limits would be higher at first,
but with residential being developed, the speed limit will decrease.
Councilor Ballew said this area would be surrounded with a low populated area. She asked if vendors
would risk locating in this area and wondered what type of vendors would locate there. Mr. White
said approximately 10,000 people will occupy the area. He said he anticipated that a video store,
bakery, etc., would locate in the area. He also discussed marketing for the area. He said retailers
look for population, therefore, the employment center would first need to be created.
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Mayor Maine said her concept of the nodal development was different. Mr. Metzger discussed
mixed-use development. He also discussed development standards associated with mixed use.
Councilor Hatfield discussed the different types of development as they related to fast food
Work Session Minutes
June 21, 1999
Page 3
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restaurants. Mr. Metzger discussed development in the Portland area and provided examples of
different designs.
Councilor Simmons discussed environmental impediments as they related to development.
Councilor Simmons discussed the need for proper infrastructure. He said this required an innovative
approach to development.
Ms. Daluddung provided information regarding the process and timing of this project. She discussed
the timing as it related to the residential lands study and implementation of policy. She said the
mixed-use ordinance is planned. Mr. Metzger said the steering committee would meet soon to review
this. He said they plan to have something ready in November.
Councilor Leiken said he thought that the developers would participate once the city provided the
commitment. He said as our lands decrease within the urban area, the developers need to find
creative ways to continue to develop. He said this was a textbook plan for this area and said this was
perfect location for a business similar to Semantics. He said the employees stay with their employer
for along time. He discussed livability factors. He liked the proposal and said there was a lot of
development that could happen.
Mr. Metzger said they are building consensus and will come back to council in November. At that
time the adoption process would begin. .
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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Maureen M. Maine
Mayor
Attest:
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City Recorder
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