HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/2017 Work Session 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 ajoint 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 Jai Bozievich Commissioner Sorenson arrived at 6:10pm
Also present were County Administrator Steve Nlokrohisky 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 comprehensn e 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 Count.
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 w ill need to be approved by
City of Springfield City Council and Lane Comm 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. I.imbird 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.
Cit 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 he part of the City. Lane
County is involved because most of the property is w ithin 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 Sheriffs patrol.
Commissioner Fart asked about the IGA between the Lane County Sheriffs 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 sen ices 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 Counts'and the
Sheriffs 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 Ile 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 I 8,3017
Pane 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 Man} of the utility installations are zoned
PLO, so it would be allowed. SUB and W illamalane have worked on a number of projects so there is
some precedent.
Commissioner Boziey ich 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 in. by the Springfield Cm'Council.
The meeting was recessed at 6:30 p m. by the Lane Count} Board of Commissioners.
Minutes Recorder—Amy Sow a
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor
Attest
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Amy Sow
City Recorder