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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/1997 Work Session . . . . -, City of Springfield Work Session MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1997 The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, September 8, 1997 at 6:05 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding. Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim Harold, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, Development Services Director Susan Daluddung, Planning Manager Greg Mott and members of staff. 1. Mixed-Use Development in the Gateway MDR Site Development Services Director Susan Daluddung said the development presentation regarding mixed-use development in the Gateway MDR area would be from the developers themselves, not city staff, as a matter of information. Representatives from Banfield Properties included Mike Ryan and Jerry Knight. Also present was Brian McCarthy, a local Landscape Architect. Richard Boyles from Sycan B Corporation was not able to attend. Ms. Daluddung said this proposed development is a conceptual plan, and had not yet been submitted to the Development Services Department. The financing for this proposal was provided by a Transportation and Growth Management Grant from the Oregon Department of Revenue (ODOT) and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (LCDC). The grant program encourages mixed-use, transit oriented development, consistent with the Governor's Transportation Initiative and Transportation Planning Rule 12. Ms. Daluddung said the developers are looking for unofficial feedback from council on the mixed-use proposal in the Gateway area. She said both the Planning Commission and City Council would review any formal land use applications submitted in the future. Mr. McCarthy said their proposal had three specific Periodic Review tasks associated with it, the TransPlan Update, the Residential Lands Study and the Springfield Commercial Lands Study. Draft policy documents for each of these tasks are scheduled for public release this fall. Mr. McCarthy explained there have been numerous questions about the quality ofthe development being discussed for the Gateway area. Along with this work session with the City Council, the developers are also interested in meeting with the Planning Commission and the Commercial Lands Study groups. The proposed McKenzie neighborhood is located in the now existing Gateway Medium Density Residential (MDR) site. Attachment 3-1, Draft Proposal or Scenario B, achieves a better integration of the various densities throughout the site from single family to townhouses to cluster housing, forming transitions from the highest density to the lowest density on the site. City of Springfield Work Session - 9/8/97 Page 2 . Attachment 3-1, Draft Proposal or Scenario C, results in a mix of the more convenient type of development on certain parts of the site as well as a neo-traditional approach to other parts of the site. Mr. McCarthy explained how the proposal would mix both residential and commercial zoning. Councilor Ballew said the city needs to solve transportation issues associated with the B Beltline Interchange prior to future developments. Mr. McCarthy responded the Metro Plan Diagram and the TransPlan, both currently support additional traffic in the area due to residential development. He said this is a transit orientated concept and would not further congest the area. Councilor Shaver said he supported the concept of alleys and off-alley parking. He further encouraged the street design with pedestrian orientation and felt it would create a safer environment. He preferred the reduction of MDR zoning and the increase in commercial zoning. Councilor Shaver endorsed LDR zoning along the river and also the accommodation of owner occupied homes, even in MDR zones. Councilor Burge stated he reviewed TransPlan information prior to the work session and is a member of the Commercial Lands Study. The proposal seems to echo the direction from both groups and he supported the concept. He said this will not have a huge traffic impact on the north exit from 1-5. He too, liked the idea of home ownership, but did not feel the city should dictate how developers use their property. . Councilor Beyer also spoke in support of the proposal, as the concept is not far from planning efforts in the Gateway area to date. She cautioned the developers not to reduce MDR zoning too much, as it would not foster support if density levels are not maintained. Councilor Maine said one ofthe issues that frequently hampers residential neighborhoods are deliveries and pick-ups. She asked how smaller streets, receiving deliveries with current traffic levels, can accommodate the extra traffic. Mr. McCarthy said the design is to have wider streets in commercial areas, as this is where most deliveries occur. Councilor Maine asked if other proposals or concepts like this are located in the metropolitan area. Ms. Daluddung replied that no other developments like this are being planned in Springfield. Planning Manager Greg Mott said most Springfield neighborhood changes are currently re-developments. Council discussed financing and the need for such mixed-use developments to occur within the city. Mayor Morrisette reminded staff to monitor the "trigger" for the extension of Pioneer Parkway. He also agreed with Councilor Shaver regarding the need for LDR zoning along the river. . Mr. Ryan said Sycan B Corporation is planning on building a high-end housing development and if the balance of the development stayed within the concept proposal, it would come very close to council's preferred density levels. There was a brief discussion regarding old growth trees and the developers plan to build around them. City of Springfield Work Session - 9/8/97 Page 3 . Mr. McCarthy spoke about grant funding which may be available to assist the developers with cost-sharing for items such as the Metro Plan amendments, Springfield Development Code (SDC) amendments, and zoning changes. 2. Interview Candidates for a Springfield Representative to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) Environmental Services Manager Susan Smith said the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) received two applications for one vacancy on the commission. She explained long-time city resident and commission representative Scott Engstrom, moved from the area and had served on the commission since 1985. Ms. Smith said Mr. Mathieu had been attending meetings, had obtained commission reports, and budget materials. She said Mr. Keeler served on the Bio-Solids sub-committee and had also obtained detailed information on the commission. Councilor Ballew said attendance at meetings is very important. Council discussed their interview questions. Council interviewed the following two candidates for the position on the MWMC: Joe Mathieu Doug Keeler . Council asked the following interview questions: Please discuss why you are interested in serving on the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)? Describe your understanding of how the regional wastewater program is structured and operated? What do you believe to be the key issues and challenges facing the region's wastewater treatment capability in the next 5 to 10 years? What do you think should be the priorities of the MWMC and its supporting agencies for the next 5 years, or how would you determine what they should be? Have you thought about the issue of privatization? Do you have experience in group processes and decision making on highly technical issues? What are your time commitment~ and availability which may affect service on the MWMC? . As the city's appointed representative on the MWMC, how would you represent Springfield's interest, needs and concerns? What relationship would you have with the City Council? · . t ... . . . City of Springfield Work Session - 9/8/97 Page 4 Council discussed the two candidates and their qualifications. By consensus, Mr. Keeler was the preferred candidate due to his technical background and the energy he showed for the community. The appointment will be ratified at the next regular City Council meeting on September 15, 1997. Ms. Smith said she had developed an orientation notebook for new commissioners and will also meet personally with a Finance Department staff member and Mr. Keeler to assist in his specialized education. Another opportunity for orientation suggested was for Mr. Keeler to meet with Mr. Kelly and/or Public Works Director Dan Brown for further clarification on administration questions or commission background. 3. Review Applications for Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) Vacancies Councilor Shaver reported another vacancy on the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDC) has occurred. He suggested re-advertising the recruitment during the next city recruitment period, beginning October 29 and closing on November 26, 1997. All applicants to date, would be held over until the next recruitment period and would be notified of the delay. He felt conducting the process only once with a larger applicant pool would benefit the committee. By consensus, council agreed to re-advertise for positions on the CDAC during the next city recruitment period and for staff to notify all applicants of the delay. Councilor Shaver suggested the Bicycle Committee change their operating by-laws for membership requirements, from nine members to seven members. He felt with the difficulty in recruiting members, plus the recommendation by Traffic Technician Dean Bishop, that a reduction in membership was appropriate. By consensus, council agreed to the by-law amendment and asked staff to place the item on the next regular session agenda under Business from the Council. Council asked Administrative Aide Shari Higgins to notify both Mr. Bishop and the Bicycle Committee members of the suggested by-law amendment. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins ATTEST: Q' J/. C) 2 l, Citf. ecorde-r- - ~ ( Q Q f>/(}.^,--