HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/1997 Work Session
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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?
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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?
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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:
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