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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06 Council MinutesAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10/16/2017 Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Staff Contact/Dept.: Amy Sowa Staff Phone No: 541-726-3700 Estimated Time: Consent Calendar S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Mandate ITEM TITLE: COUNCIL MINUTES ACTION REQUESTED: By motion, approval of the attached minutes. ISSUE STATEMENT: The attached minutes are submitted for Council approval. ATTACHMENTS: Minutes: a. September 18, 2017 – Joint Elected Officials Work Session b. September 18, 2017 – Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE JOINT ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL LANE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 The City of Springfield Council met in a joint work session with the Lane County Board of Commissioners in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, September 18, 2017 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Mayor Lundberg welcomed everyone and thanked them all for making the trip to Springfield for this important discussion. Present from the City of Springfield were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Moore, Woodrow and Pishioneri. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Senior Planner Andy Limbird, City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith, Assistant City Attorney Kristina Schmunk, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff. Councilors Stoehr and Wylie were absent (excused). Present from the Lane County Board of Commissioners were Board Chair Pat Farr and Board Members Sid Leiken, Gary Williams and Jay Bozievich. Commissioner Sorenson arrived at 6:10pm. Also present were County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky and Senior Planner Amber Bell. 1. Request for Metro Plan Diagram Amendment and Zone Change for about 421 Acres of Property in the Southeast Thurston Hills, Cases TYP417-00001 and TYP317-00003. Andy Limbird, Senior Planner from the City of Springfield presented the staff report on this item. There are three different actions before the City Council and one action before the Board of Commissioners. The joint adoption of the Metro Plan Diagram amendment would affect properties inside the city’s urban growth boundary (UGB), but outside city limits. The City Council has to adopt the Metro Plan Amendment and Zone Change for a portion of the site which is in city limits, and also a rezoning for a portion within the UGB. The area in question is in the southeast hills, about 665 acres predominantly forest land. It spans from the McKenzie Highway frontage at the north, across the ridgeline all the way to Bob Straub Parkway, ending at the Weyerhaeuser Haul Road. The proposed amendment would change the comprehensive plan designation for the property from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Parks and Open Space, and change the zoning from Light Medium Industrial (LMI) and LDR to Public Land and Open Space (PLO). About 215 acres of the property proposed for redesignation is outside the Springfield city limits and Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and therefore requires joint approval by Lane County. The area within Springfield jurisdiction was just annexed in March of 2017, after the application was submitted. The historic Frederick Gray house location is the starting point for this project. Because it is annexed to the City, the zone changes for that part of the project are all City of Springfield decisions. The remaining portion of the property that is outside city limits will need to be approved by City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Work Session Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 2 both the City and County. The proposal is to change from low density residential to parks and open spaces. Parks are not a listed use in the low density designation, therefore rezoning is required. The site was identified in the City’s residential housing analysis, although there are some constraints. He referred to the map showing the landslide hazard areas of Springfield and noted that much of this property is in the high landslide area. This potentially reduces the net amount of residential to about 159 acres, rather than the gross amount of 428 acres. It makes it difficult to develop pockets of homes in these areas, but makes for great trails and vistas. Councilor Pishioneri asked if staff is saying it’s not viable to build in this area. He noted that the very high landslide area where he lives is very built up and was economically viable at that time. Mr. Limbird said it is an area with several challenges including steep terrain. One of the other challenges is that it is on the back side of the ridge and utilities would need to be pulled from another area. He pointed out on the map where the utilities end. There is more detailed mapping available showing a more refined developable area. He noted that Willamalane has ownership of the property and is proposing to use it as open space. Mr. Limbird introduced Amber Bell from Lane County. Ms. Bell said the County is being asked to review one ordinance that is for the Type II Metro Plan Amendment for the areas between the City of Springfield city limits and the UGB, excluding the parcel that was recently annexed into the City. The ordinance before the Board includes 9 parcels, and the ordinance before the Council includes 10 parcels. There are portions outside the UGB that are designated forest in the Rural Comprehensive Plan (RCP). There are no proposed amendments to those parcels at this time. The applicant indicated they would return at a later date under separate land use actions for development of the Thurston Hills Natural Area Park, which will be at director review. Mr. Limbird said similar to the County’s procedures, the development of the natural area park would be subject to site plan review. There was one done for the trailhead parking lot and facilities off the McKenzie Highway. There will be opportunity for public notification and comment for the physical construction. There has been timber thinning in some areas of the property so there are existing haul roads and trails. There was not a significant amount of public input on this proposal. Notifications were sent to those living within 300 feet of the perimeter of the entire property. Staff received a few phones calls about the effect this would have on people’s property and if housing would be built, but most were satisfied with the staff response. There were some logistical concerns about who would police the area. Mayor Lundberg asked who handles policing that area. Mr. Limbird said currently it is the Lane County Sheriff. Assistant City Attorney Kristina Kraaz said the current intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Lane County allows the City to respond to calls outside city limits in parks. Any arrests would go through Lane County Circuit Court rather than the Springfield Municipal Court. Mr. Limbird said neighbors would need to contact 911. Mayor Lundberg said it could be a concern for neighbors not knowing who to call when it is not a 911 emergency. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Work Session Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Limbird said Willamalane could possibly provide some education to surrounding neighbors regarding who they should contact in the event of an issue. Commissioner Leiken said Willamalane does not have to be annexed and be part of the City. Lane County is involved because most of the property is within the UGB, but outside the city limits. Because this property was original zoned low density residential (LDR), this could have been marketed like the Coburg Hills. He asked if they assumed there was no market for that in Springfield. Mr. Limbird said it would have to meet our current code requirements for access and minimum parcel sizes. There are limitations on land divisions until the property becomes urbanizable. To achieve the kind of urban densities in other areas would take time and a lot of money, but it is possible. Willamalane has assembled the land and their plan shows this as park area for the benefit of the region. Commissioner Leiken since it is under Willamalane ownership, it would never have to be annexed. Mr. Limbird said only if they submit a request for urban services. Commissioner Leiken said hopefully funding will come through for the Sheriff’s patrol. Commissioner Farr asked about the IGA between the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Springfield for responses in the UGB. Ms. Kraaz said she could assemble that information. She knows there is an IGA with Springfield police to respond in certain areas. Commissioner Farr said he would like to see more about the City of Springfield Police Department responding outside the UGB or city limits for calls to service. He would like to compare it with how this is handled in Eugene. Mayor Lundberg said part of that information would include who is paying for the services. There needs to be an incentive for people to annex, but they may not want to if they already receive police services. Councilor Pishioneri said historically anything outside city limits was considered County and the Sheriff’s office was obligated to respond. Chief Lewis said the Springfield Police respond outside city limits only within the IGA with Willamalane, not the general county. Willamalane pays for the overtime. Commissioner Leiken asked if Eugene Springfield Fire had an agreement with the Oregon Department of Forest (ODF) for fires in the Thurston Hills. He noted a couple of fires in the past that had a response from both agencies. Mr. Grimaldi said there is a boundary map that shows who has jurisdiction. Most of it is under ODF. It would be useful to pull that map as it relates to this property. Commissioner Leiken said there is not good access by vehicle to the higher points of that property. He wanted to make sure there was an agreement with ODF if a fire were to start in that area. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Work Session Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 4 Commissioner Bozievich said most of that is probably under the South Cascade Fire District. He asked if Springfield Utility Board (SUB) was referred on this and if the proposed zoning would preclude them from locating water facilities on this property. Mr. Limbird said SUB was referred regarding this change. Many of the utility installations are zoned PLO, so it would be allowed. SUB and Willamalane have worked on a number of projects so there is some precedent. Commissioner Bozievich said that is good to know. Some of the parks zoning in Eugene doesn’t allow that use. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. by the Springfield City Council. The meeting was recessed at 6:30 p.m. by the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Minutes Recorder – Amy Sowa ______________________ Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: ____________________ Amy Sowa City Recorder City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE JOINT ELECTED OFFICIALS PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL LANE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 The City of Springfield Council met in a joint public hearing with the Lane County Board of Commissioners in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, September 18, 2017 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present from the City of Springfield were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie, Moore, Woodrow and Pishioneri. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Senior Planner Andy Limbird, City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith, Assistant City Attorney Kristina Schmunk, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff. Councilors Stoehr and Wylie were absent (excused). Present from the Lane County Board of Commissioners were Board Chair Pat Farr and Board Members Sid Leiken, Pete Sorenson, Gary Williams and Jay Bozievich. Also present were County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky and Senior Planner Amber Bell. Mayor Lundberg welcomed everyone and thanked them all for making the trip to Springfield for this important discussion. She said this joint meeting with the Lane County Board of Commissioners was to allow them all to hear the information at the same time. 1. Request for Metro Plan Diagram Amendment and Zone Change for about 421 Acres of Property in the Southeast Thurston Hills, Cases TYP417-00001 and TYP317-00003. City Manager Gino Grimaldi read the ordinance titles of the following ordinances for the City of Springfield: ORDINANCE NO. 1 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN (METRO PLAN) DIAGRAM BY REDESIGNATING APPROXIMATELY 418.17 ACRES OF LAND FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (LDR) TO PARKS AND OPEN SPACE; ADOPTING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE NO. 2 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN (METRO PLAN) DIAGRAM BY REDESIGNATING APPROXIMATELY 3.03 ACRES OF LAND FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (LDR) TO PARKS AND OPEN SPACE; CONCURRENTLY AMENDING THE SPRINGFIELD ZONING MAP BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 3.03 ACRES OF LAND FROM LDR TO PUBLIC LAND AND OPEN SPACE (PLO); ADOPTING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 2 ORDINANCE NO. 3 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SPRINGFIELD ZONING MAP BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 407.47 ACRES OF LAND FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (LDR) TO PUBLIC LAND AND OPEN SPACE (PLO); CONCURRENTLY AMENDING THE SPRINGFIELD ZONING MAP BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 10.7 ACRES OF LAND FROM LIGHT MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL (LMI) TO PLO; ADOPTING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Lane County Board of Commissioners Chair Farr said the Board would be hearing the second reading of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. 1350 – IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE EUGENE SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN (METRO PLAN) DIAGRAM BY REDESIGNATING APPROXIMATELY A 418.7 ACRES OF LAND FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PURSUANT TO LANE CODE 12.200 AND 12.225, AND ADOPTING A SEVERABLITY CLAUSE. FILE NO. 509- PA17-05292 Board Chair Farr noted that this was a quasi-judicial hearing. Assistant City Attorney Kristina Kraaz reviewed the quasi-judicial hearing process for tonight’s public hearing. The hearing tonight is characterized as a de novo quasi-judicial hearing. De novo means that any issue, procedural or substantive can be raised that is relevant to the approval criteria. Quasi-judicial means that certain due process procedural rights are associated with these decision-making processes. These rights include the rights to notice, to present evidence, to have a written decision based upon standards, and to an impartial decision-maker. The primary purpose of the hearing is to establish a record upon which a decision can be made. EVIDENCE The evidentiary rules associated with these hearings are less restrictive than used in circuit courts and all relevant testimony, including hearsay testimony, may be considered. • You must raise procedural and substantive issues at this hearing or you will be prohibited from raising those issues subsequently on appeal before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals. • A person raising the issue must support raising the issue with statements or evidence sufficiently specific so that the Council has an opportunity to respond to the concern or the issue. • If you are the applicant, you must raise concerns regarding any proposed conditions of approval to preserve your right to appeal and/or to seek damages in Circuit Court. • Failure to raise constitutional or other issues relating to proposed conditions of approval with sufficient specificity to allow the City Council to respond to the issues precludes an action for damages in Circuit Court. BURDEN OF PROOF In a quasi-judicial decision making process, the burden is on the applicant to show by a preponderance of the evidence that all of the applicable approval criteria have been met. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 3 CRITERIA The application before the City Council tonight is a proposal for a Metro Plan diagram amendment and a Springfield zoning map amendment. The criteria for a Metro Plan diagram amendment are found in Springfield Development Code section 5.14-135. The criteria are: • The amendment must be consistent with applicable Statewide Planning Goals. • Where the Metro Plan applies, the adoption of the amendment cannot make the Metro Plan internally inconsistent. • Where the Springfield Comprehensive Plan applies, the amendment must be consistent with the Springfield Comprehensive Plan. The criteria for a Springfield zoning map amendment are found in Springfield Development Code section 5.22-115. The criteria are: • The amendment must be consistent with applicable Metro Plan policies and the Metro Plan diagram; • The amendment must be consistent with applicable Refinement Plans, Plan District maps, Conceptual Development Plans and functional plans; and • The property must be presently provided with adequate public facilities, services and transportation networks to support the use, or these facilities, services and transportation networks are planned to be provided concurrently with the development of the property. • A zoning map amendment that involves a Metro Plan diagram amendment must meet the approval criteria for Metro Plan amendments specified in Section 5.14-100, which I have previously listed. • The zoning map amendment must comply with Oregon Administrative Rule • 660-012-0060, which is known as the “Transportation Planning Rule.” • These criteria are also posted on the wall behind the Council; they are outlined in the staff report; and they will be summarized by City staff in their presentation. RECORD The record in this matter consists of the application and any supporting information, any staff report and supporting documents, and any testimony and documentary evidence admitted during this hearing. The record also consists of all testimony and documentary evidence submitted to the Planning Commission on this application previously. If you want an item entered into the record present that item to the City Recorder, orally or in writing. If there is any question in your mind whether any material is in the record make a point of asking that it be accepted into the record. Under Oregon law, any person has the right to request that the record be held open for 7 days for the submittal of additional written testimony. You do not have to give a reason for this request, but you must make the request to the City Council before the hearing is closed. • If the written record is left open and new evidence is introduced during that time, the record may be held open for an additional period of time to allow other parties an opportunity to respond to the new evidence. • In a de novo hearing, the applicant always gets the last word. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 4 You also have the right to request a continuance of the hearing. A continuance is discretionary with the City Council. The party requesting a continuance must show that prejudice to his or her rights will not be cured by merely holding the record open. TESTIMONY This hearing is recorded on tape so I ask that those who wish to testify to follow a few procedures: • First, please testify from the podium to my left (not the citizen’s seats). • Second, begin your testimony by stating your name and address for the record. This will enable the City Recorder and the Council to identify the testimony offered by each speaker and will assist in creating a transcript of the hearing if that is necessary. • Finally, if you want a copy of the written decision, please provide your name and address to the City Recorder. DECISION The City Council will issue a written decision after the record is closed. APPEAL [Type III City Council] The City Council’s decision is final. Any person who appeared in this matter may appeal the City Council’s decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals. Please consult an attorney regarding the deadline for the appeal and the form of appeal. IMPARTIALITY The Oregon land use law requires that the City Council disclose any ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest related to this matter, and allow any person to challenge the City Council for bias. • A conflict of interest is a situation in which the decision maker, his or her family, or their business would benefit or suffer by the decision-maker’s decision. • An ex parte contact is a communication to the decision maker that includes substantive issues regarding the application and occurs outside the public venue. • Bias is an actual personal interest in the outcome of the decision, or a prejudgment by the decision-maker as to the outcome without regard to evidence and argument submitted to the decision-maker. Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing for the Springfield City Council. She asked the members of the Council to declare any potential conflicts of interest and to disclose bias or ex parte contacts. The Mayor and all councilors present said they had not had any ex parte contact or potential conflict of interest. She asked if anyone wished to challenge the jurisdiction of the Springfield City Council to hear the matter of this Metro Plan amendment and zone change. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 5 Board Chair Farr opened the public hearing of the Board of Commissioners. He asked the members of the Board to declare potential conflicts of interest and to disclose bias or ex parte contacts. All of the Board members present said they had not had any ex parte contact or potential conflict of interest. Andy Limbird, Senior Planner from the City of Springfield presented the staff report on this item. The applicant has submitted concurrent Metro Plan diagram and Zoning Map amendment applications for ten contiguous parcels in southeast Springfield that comprise the planned Thurston Hills Natural Area Park. The proposed amendment would change the comprehensive plan designation for the property from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Parks and Open Space, and change the zoning from Light Medium Industrial (LMI) and LDR to Public Land and Open Space (PLO). About 215 acres of the property proposed for redesignation is outside the Springfield city limits and Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and therefore requires joint approval by Lane County. The subject property is about 665 acres and runs from the frontage on the McKenzie Highway across the hillside and ridgeline all the way to the former Weyerhaeuser Haul Road near Bob Straub Parkway. The linear distance is roughly 2 ½ miles. There are 10 tax lots that comprise this property which straddles city limits, the (UGB) and outside city limits which is Lane County jurisdiction. He noted the area that was a Springfield decision only since it had been annexed to the City in March, and the area that required joint action from both the City Council and County Commissioners. This property was originally designated for low density residential (LDR) and the proposal is to change it to park land and open space (PLO) to facilitate the Thurston Hills Natural Area Park. Large natural area parks such as this are regional parks and not a listed use in LDR. In order to change that, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment must take place followed by a zone change. This area was identified in the City’s residential housing analysis as being predominantly vacant land. Currently, nearly the entire area within the City’s UGB is zoned LDR with the exception of a small area off Weyerhaeuser Haul Road that is zoned LMI. That zoning is not consistent with its current designation of LDR. The proposal is to change the entire area to PLO to help facilitate construction of the Thurston Hills Natural Area Park which consists of a trailhead parking lot, natural area of community forest land and recreational trails. The area in the landslide area is in potentially unstable hillside areas, with pockets of developable property. The net developable area of the 665 acres according to the applicant is about 149 acres. This information was presented to the joint Planning Commissions in the summer and they recommended approval of the Metro Plan amendment and zone change. County Planner Amber Bell said the Commissioners were asked to conduct a 2nd reading of the ordinance and hold a public hearing. Willamalane is the applicant in this redesignation and rezoning to realize the Thurston Hills Natural Area Park identified in the 2012 Willamalane Comprehensive Plan. She noted the applicable criteria for the County Commissioners which is found in Lane Code 12.200 – 12.225. There are a total of 9 vacant parcels affected by the proposed ordinance which are partly or entirely located between city limits and the UGB. The affected parcels identified in the proposed ordinance are depicted in a site context map and legal description. The plan amendment area size and legal description being reviewed by the County Board is slightly different than that being reviewed by the City because of a tax lot that was annexed into the City after the initial application was made. That tax lot is now only within the City’s jurisdiction and not subject to co-adoption by the Board. There are approximately 245 acres of the overall project area located outside the UGB and within the County’s Rural Comprehensive Plan (RCP) and zoned either non-impacted forest (F1) or impacted forest (F2), with plan designation of forest. These areas are not proposed for redesignation and the application has indicated that the applicant will pursue separate land use application processes for park uses in these areas. Public notice was issued by the City of Springfield for the joint public hearing. Based on the applicant’s materials and City of Springfield staff report, County staff finds no major policy issues. The proposed refinement plan complies with the Metro Plan, statewide planning goals City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 6 and other applicable statutes. There are four options identified for the Board: approve ordinance as presented; postpone taking final action and set a 3rd reading for a date certain; direct staff to revise the ordinance and return for a 3rd reading and approval of the revised ordinance; or not approve the ordinance and deny the application. Staff recommendation is option 3. 1. Eric Adams, Planning Development Manager, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, representing the applicant: Mr. Adams said he is here to encourage the Council and Board to approve the plan amendment and zone change applications for the Thurston Hills Natural Area. Like the recently completed Mill Race Path, the Thurston Hills Natural Area has been a project the community has wanted for many years. The City of Springfield and Willamalane have worked collaboratively on several of these projects for over a decade. Several of the key steps that have occurred towards this effort include: the Rivers to Ridges Plan, approved by the Council and Willamalane Board in 2003; Willamalane’s Comprehensive Plan which identified Thurston Hills as a possible natural area park in 2004; and the joint purchase of the Gray/Jaqua Heritage House in 2006, a portion of which is now developed as a trailhead. During a sensitive public process by Willamalane leading up to the 2012 Comprehensive Plan, natural area parks were identified as one of the highest rated priorities. When the Comp Plan was adopted in 2012, Thurston Hills Ridgeline Park was one of the key projects identified for near term completion. In November 2012, the public approved Willamalane’s $20M bond measure which included purchasing property in Thurston for a natural area park and trail system. Between 2012 and 2013, Willamalane secured two Willamette Wildlife mitigation program grants and entered into two purchase agreements with Bonneville Power Administration for an additional 360 acres already subject to existing conservation easement. Urbanized development within these conservation easements is strictly prohibited. Similar use limitations also apply to a 79 acre community forest designation that abuts the Thurston Hills neighborhood to the south. In this designation there are limitations on road and utility extensions. The acquisition of this property was funded by a $250,000 grant from US Forest Service community forest program. To date, Willamalane has leveraged bond funding on federal grant funds to acquire enough property for the 665 acres for the Thurston Hills Natural Park. In August 2016, Willamalane and the City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that redesignation would be completed before Willamalane constructed additional improvements such as trails, etc. Over the last year, Willamalane staff has completed a Management Plan as required through their agreements with the Bonneville Power Administration for the entire 665 acres. This plan identifies key actions that will enhance natural values on the site to provide compatible public access. The plan’s implementation over the next several years will result in having fantastic places to bike, hike and conserve wildlife with City vistas. The subject Metro Plan amendment and zoning change application represent the culmination of all of these combined efforts. Their approval represents the endorsement of the use of the Thurston Hills Natural Area as the community has long envisioned. Mr. Adams responded to questions brought up during the work session regarding emergency services and potential utility extensions. Willamalane has existing agreements with the Springfield Police Department, Lane County Sheriff and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in terms of fire response. There is also an existing intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Springfield Utility Board (SUB) that requires collaboration in terms of placing future water reservoirs. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 7 Commissioner Sorenson asked about how the IGA between Willamalane and the City of Springfield that was structured for policing of the area. Mr. Adams said it is on a per call basis. He provided an example. It is hard to say if the need would increase as this site developed, but it is possible. 2. Colin McArthur, Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architects. Mr. McArthur said he was here to represent the applicant. The subject property is approximately 665 acres and consists of 10 parcels. Approximately 224 acres are located within Springfield’s UGB and 245 acres are outside the UGB within Lane County. The Springfield properties are designated LDR by the Metro Plan and a small portion LMI by the Springfield zoning ordinance. Within Lane County, the properties are designated forest by the Metro Plan and F1 and F2 by the Lane County Zoning map. This action is necessary because the community-supported vision for Thurston Hills Natural Area Park cannot be realized under the current plan and zone designations. The proposed use is consistent with the definition of a regional park within the Springfield Development Code which includes the following characteristics: a large area of natural quality for outdoor recreation generally comprising 100 acres or more, where 80% of the land is reserved for natural open space and 20% is used for recreational development. Regional parks are not permitted in LDR, only neighborhood parks. In Lane County, regional parks are allowed subject to Planning Director approval. Willamalane intends to submit an application for approval to Lane County at a later date following this action. The plan zone amendment approach is the only viable alternative for enabling development of a regional park on this land. As the applicant, Willamalane has willingly assumed the risk associated with time and cost to clean up the land use designation and get this right. Regarding the approval criteria, much of the discussion in the City and County staff reports focuses on compliance with Goal 7, Goal 8, Goal 10 and Metro Plan policies related to buildable land supply. According to the Springfield Residential Land and Housing Needs adopted in 2011, Springfield has a 378 acre surplus of LDR residential land and a 357 acre deficit of parks and open space land. Willamalane’s Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2012 also identifies a similar deficit in parks and open space land at 364 acres. The subject property contains approximately 11 acres of LMI, but is residential. Because of this plan zone inconsistency, that property was not included in the City’s Commercial Industrial Buildable Land (CIBL) survey; therefore the proposed amendment has no impact on the CIBL inventory. In determining the affect upon the residential land supply, Willamalane obtained the residential land needs database and determined that 159.08 acres in the subject site was accounted for as buildable residential acres. While this application has been under review, about 7 acres of LDR land was removed from the inventory after the adoption of Springfield Ordinance 6364 and another 3 acres of land was removed from the inventory at the adoption of Springfield Ordinance 6369. They are not aware of any pending actions that would have a significant effect on the buildable land supply. After accounting for the change of designation, approval of the amendment would result in a remaining surplus of 208 acres within the City’s inventory of buildable LDR land. Approval of the amendment would fully address the deficit of parks and open space land within the City. This request is a critical and important step to realizing the vision for Thurston Hills Natural Area Park. Both the City and County staff find the application satisfies all applicable approval criteria, and both the Springfield and Lane City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 8 County Planning Commissions unanimously recommended approval. Willamalane supports the work of staff and concur with the recommendations for approval. Mayor Lundberg asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in favor of the proposal. 1. Phil Farrington, Eugene, OR. Mr. Farrington said when he first moved to Oregon over 20 years ago, he worked for Willamalane and developed a Comprehensive Parks Plan at that time. Subsequently, in 2004 and 2012, the concept of having a large open space in this part of Springfield has been matured, developed and adopted twice by Lane County and City of Springfield. The voters of Springfield and Willamalane adopted a bond measure to support this undertaking and acquire this property. He encouraged the Council and Board to adopt this proposal to keep faith with the voters of Willamalane, Springfield and residents of Lane County who are looking forward to enjoying this natural area. Mayor Lundberg asked if there was anyone wishing to speak who were neutral to the proposal. Mayor Lundberg asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in opposition of the proposal. 1. Michael Tomcal, Springfield, OR. Mr. Tomcal said he was in opposition. He read from a letter that was also submitted to the Council and Board of Commissioners. The Tomcal family owns housing and property in the area affected by plans to rezone and add a hillside public park. They are residents of the area and are opposed to rezoning and application of land as public park area. The letter outlines concerns regarding fire and safety, conflicts with a residential area in the setting of a proposed public park, and the potential liabilities for the City of Springfield and Lane County if these concerns are not adequately addressed. (see attached letter) Ms. Kraaz said the written testimony will be entered into the record. Mr. Limbird said he would defer to the applicant to address the concerns expressed by Mr. Tomcal. He noted that Mr. Adams indicated that Willamalane has prepared a Management Plan for the area. Typically, this type of information on emergency response and how the land will be administered and monitored is outlined in that Plan. This does not address the criteria, but does address neighborhood design mostly outside the subject property. That doesn’t discount the concern, but could be addressed through site plan and with the Springfield Police and Transportation departments. Mr. Adams said Willamalane’s existing Management Plan, which was a requirement with the purchase from the Bonneville Power Administration, includes a variety of different actions and strategies for restoration and active fuels reduction programming. Willamalane recently secured funding from the ODF to conduct fuels reduction activities within the overall acreage. That will continue to be the case over the course of Willamalane’s management of the property. That also includes improving the existing access road network for emergency response. Maintenance of those roads will be ongoing. As they work towards managing the overall area in relation to its context to the adjacent neighborhoods, opportunities for building in fire breaks will be part of those activities. Having already secured funding for those efforts, increases the opportunity to secure more funds in the future to continue those efforts. Councilor Moore asked if there was any management plan from previous owners when the property was logged. City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 9 Mr. Adams said Weyerhaeuser was the owner of a substantial portion of the property, but he is not aware of what may have been included in their management plan. Through forest practices, a management plan would have been a requirement. There should be some continuity with that plan, although the focus is different because of the different use. Commissioner Sorenson asked when the vote was held in Springfield and Willamalane. Mr. Adams said a $20M bond measure was passed in 2012. A portion of those funds was specifically to purchase acreage in Thurston Hills and subsequent improvements of trailheads. Since passage of the bond, Willamalane used those funds to buy the land. Commissioner Leiken asked if the bond measure specifically identified Thurston Hills. Mr. Adams said it did. Commissioner Farr said he understood Willamalane was constructing a parking lot inside city limits. He asked about the southern terminus of South 72nd Street and if there would be parking at that location. Mr. Adams said people can park on the street, but the parcel at that location is not owned by Willamalane. Anyone accessing the trail through that property would be trespassing. Commissioner Farr thanked Mr. and Mrs. Tomcal for testifying. Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing for the Springfield Council. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WOODROW TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC RECORD. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 4 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. (2 ABSENT - WYLIE AND STOEHR) Commissioner Farr closed the public hearing for the Lane County Board. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BOZIEVICH WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC RECORD. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. Discussion was held regarding leaving the public record open. It was noted that no one made a request during the public hearing to leave the public record open. The Council and Board concurred that they would meet separately to conduct deliberations and take action at a later date. Ms. Bell said the City may consider this during their October 2, 2017 Council meeting to enable the Board to decide on this matter after the City has made a decision. The Board would need to set a third reading oF the ordinance. Because the original maps included the parcel that has since been annexed to the City, the Board could ask staff to revise the ordinance with updated maps in time for the third reading. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BOZIEVICH WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LEIKEN TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING AND SETTING A City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Elected Officials Public Hearing Minutes September 18, 2017 Page 10 THIRD READING AND DELIBERATIONS FOR OCTOBER 17, 2017 AND DIRECTING STAFF TO BRING REVISED MAPS WITH THE ANNEXED PARCEL REMOVED. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. Mayor Lundberg confirmed the City Council would hold the second reading and vote on the proposed ordinances during their regular meeting on October 2, 2017. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. by Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Directors. Minutes Recorder – Amy Sowa ______________________ Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: ____________________ Amy Sowa City Recorder