HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 11 04 WSCity of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION HELD
TUESDAY, November 4, 2014
The City of Springfield Planning Commission met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting
Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 6:00 p.m., with
Commissioner James presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Chair James and Vice Chair Nelson, Commissioners Kirschenmann, Salladay, Vohs, and
Pishioneri. Also present were Current Development Manager Greg Mott, Principle Planner Linda
Pauly, City Attorney Lauren King and Management Support Specialist Brenda Jones and members of
the staff.
ABSENT
1. Draft Main Street Corridor Vision Plan –
Principle Planner Linda Pauly opened the Works Session by introducing Tom Lister Project Manager
with OTAK, consultant for the Main Street Corridor Vision Plan project.
The Draft Main Street Corridor Vision Plan (Attachment 2) identifies a new broad, achievable vision:
the transition of Main Street to a “complete community street” consistent with the Five Goals for Our
Main Street Projects:
• Encourage economic revitalization and land use redevelopment.
• Provide transportation choices to residents, businesses and commuters to encourage individual
and community well-being and public safety.
• Improve transportation safety and access for walkers, cyclists, transit riders and drivers along
and through the corridor.
• Improve aesthetics on Main Street, making it an attractive place to live, work and shop.
• Create Main Street identities.
The Plan identifies specific vision statements, goals, activity nodes, redevelopment opportunity sites
and potential implementation strategies for three distinct “segments” along 7 miles of Main Street
between Downtown and Thurston, based on what we’ve heard from the community so far, and in
response to existing and expected future conditions in the corridor (ATT2-11).
Beginning in the summer of 2013, hundreds of caring citizens, business owners, city leaders, and
property owners have participated in a visioning process to identify a preferred future for Springfield’s
Main Street Corridor (ATT2 - 6). The Draft Vision Plan is the product of this process. Next steps
include stakeholder meetings and open houses on November 4th and January 21st, and public hearings
before the Planning Commission and the Council on January 15th and February 17th.
The emerging vision for Main Street is one important piece in Springfield’s overall community
development vision. With an adopted Vision Plan serving as a Big Picture roadmap of where the City
is going, the City and its partners can more effectively align and leverage partnerships, projects and
resources to support the kinds of positive changes in the corridor the community wishes to see over
both the short and longer terms. The potential projects and programs suggested in the Plan do not
represent any decisions by the City to fund or participate in projects, programs and redevelopment
City of Springfield
Planning Work Session Minutes
November 4, 2014
Page 2
projects, but the plan can be used to facilitate continued public conversation about the future of Main
Street.
Existing Land Use Patterns –
A new Vision for Main Street
• Main Street truly is the heart of the community
• Needs a new balance for transportation and land use
• No one size fits all for a 7-mile corridor
The Couplet Area – Two Streets, Two Visions
Main Street Vision Street – 23rd Street
South A Street: 10th Street – 23rd Street-
• South A Street will retain long-standing industrial …………………..
Mid-Springfield Business Corridor Vision: 23rd Street – Bob Straub Parkway
• Affordable place to operate a business ………………………
Thurston Neighborhood Area: Bob Straub Parkway – 69th Street
• A quiet and walkable ……………………….
Transportation Framework
Land-Use Framework
Commissioner James asked what the scope
Commissioner Kirschenmann asked what the hold-up regarding the Booth-Kelly property, what is the
plan for this property for future use.
Commissioner James asked what outreach did staff do……. Linda responded by listing everything
and everyone they had notices.
Commissioner Pishioneri asked what demographic did staff use for noticing, Linda answered that
………… Pishioneri added that ……………….
Commissioner Kirschenmann asked if there had been any discussion regarding the truck traffic that
uses downtown……………. Tom answered ……. They stayed as neutral as possible……….
Commissioner Nelson added that the positive coming from the west and east asked if they could
concentrate on the heart of section……………….Tom responded……………….part
one…………….. part two, the more you can engage the neighborhoods and make them feel a greater
part of Main Street would be a huge step forward.
City of Springfield
Planning Work Session Minutes
November 4, 2014
Page 3
Commissioner Pishioneri added that the………..study which shows two way on south A……… he
personally won’t except that making South A street a two way is not possible, he believes it can. The
sky is the limit
Commissioner James added……….. push out and bring those neighborhoods into the fold. Talking
longer term, one of his concerns is multi-modal…..he thinks there are some off-main street
opportunities……… Tom responded that this topic did come up many times during this project, they
did make some recommendation and our Transportation Dept. has taken one of the two and will look
into it………………. Reducing the fear on walking, biking and traveling on Main Street, it comes
down that people are scared of being on Main Street.
Commissioner Vohs added that he had one idea that he had shared with the Commissioners.
Linda added that they had notice………………….. did outreach and had a meeting today and one
phone conference that are very promising regarding development.
Commissioner James asked if staff have had any negative comments regarding the plan. Linda
responded that they have not, just strong opinions.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6: p.m.
Minutes Recorder – Brenda Jones
______________________
Greg James
Planning Commission Chair
Attest:
____________________
Brenda Jones
Management Support Specialist