City of Bandon
CITY MANAGER'S NEWSLETTER
February 8, 2008
This newsletter is an informal report by City Manager Matt Winkel on the news, issues, and other items of interest from the City of Bandon. It will normally be posted once each month (on the Friday following the City Council meeting) on the City's WEB Page at www.ci.bandon.or.us, and will be e-mailed directly to all subscribers. Subscribers will also receive copies of City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Architectural Review Board, and Water Resource Committee agendas via e-mail in advance of each meeting.
To subscribe or un-subscribe, or if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail to citymanager@ci.bandon.or.us. Your e-mail addresses will be kept confidential and not distributed or used for any purposes other than e-mail communications with the City of Bandon.
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
- Public Hearing And Decision On Madison Avenue Improvements
- Public Hearing On Various Amendments To The Bandon Municipal Code Regarding Land Divisions And Zoning
- Request For An Exception To The Street Construction Standards
- Extension Of The Coquille Valley Enterprise Zone
- Update On The Community Center Renovation Schedule
- City To Use "Green" Resources Where Appropriate At The Center In The Park
- Energy Conservation Rebates Available
- Please Pay Attention To The New Stop Bars On Highway 101
- Linda's Church Joke
PUBLIC HEARING AND DECISION ON MADISON AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS
After discussing the status of the section of Madison Avenue from the South Jetty to 7th Street at the top of the bluff at their November 5, 2007 and January 7, 2008 meetings, the City Council concluded their review at a February 4, 2008 public hearing.
The Comprehensive Plan - Transportation System Plan (TSP), which was adopted in 2000, designated the subject section of Madison Avenue as an unopened gravel street for emergency use only, with break-away barriers at the top and bottom. In response to concerns regarding whether adequate emergency access was being provided, the City Council has been working to determine whether the street should remain a gravel access, be developed as a fully opened City street, or to partially improve it as part of the proposed pedestrian/bicycle pathway system. The City is in the process of preparing the plans for a pedestrian/bicycle path through the community, from 101 & Riverside Drive, along Riverside, through Old Town, out to the Jetty, up Madison, and along Beach Loop Drive. For the Madison Avenue segment, the initial concept includes a 12 ft. wide, paved "pedestrian & bicycle" pathway from the end of the cul-de-sac on the Jetty up to 7th Street at the top of the bluff, which could also serve as an emergency access.
The estimate for constructing Madison Avenue to "local" street standards, would be in the range of $400,000 to $600,000, depending on the land acquisition costs, drainage facility costs, and whether or not two sidewalks were included. No specific funding sources have been identified for this option. The total estimated cost for installing the paving in the unopened section of the Madison Avenue right-of-way from the cul-de-sac on the South Jetty to 7th Street at the top of the bluff is $165,080. Leaving Madison Avenue in its current configuration would be the least expensive option, since it would not require any capital investment. No estimates have been made regarding the annual maintenance cost differential between all three options, although it is presumed that the more extensive the improvements, the higher the ultimate costs for maintenance and replacement.
After considering the written and verbal public input, most of which expressed opposition to fully opening the street, and some of which favored leaving Madison Avenue in its current configuration, the City Council, by unanimous vote, directed staff to take the appropriate measures to identify a funding source for paving a 12 ft. wide pedestrian/bicycle pathway within the alignment of the subject section of Madison Avenue, and continue its designation as a gated, emergency-only, street. By keeping it officially "unopened" as a street, paving a pedestrian/bicycle pathway in the right-of-way (as opposed to full street standards), maintaining its designation as an emergency-only route, and keeping it gated and signed, it would comply with the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan without an amendment. That width would also provide improved emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire, etc.) access onto the Jetty or an evacuation route off the Jetty, depending on the nature of the emergency (fire, hazardous waste spill, medical emergency, tsunami, earthquake, etc.). Although the funds were not included in the current fiscal year 2007-2008 budget, the Urban Renewal Plan for Area 1 includes an allocation of $175,000 for the Jetty Road and Madison Avenue Pathway. In addition, this option would be eligible for funding from the Local Option Street Tax Fund.
PUBLIC HEARING ON VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE BANDON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING LAND DIVISIONS AND ZONING
At a February 4, 2008 public hearing, the City Council considered written and verbal public comments on various proposed changes to the Bandon Municipal Code, Title 16 - Land Division Regulations, and Title 17 - Zoning. Approval of these changes had been recommended by the Planning Commission, following their public hearing on the matter. The proposed amendments relate to commercial land divisions, definitions, design features, yards, lot size and dimensions, height limitations, temporary fish/seafood sales signs, and vision clearance areas. Although the City Council was not required to hold a public hearing, the Council felt it would be appropriate to provide as much opportunity as possible for public input into the proposed changes.
Some of the major issues raised and addressed included the following:
1. There had originally been a request from the Port of Bandon to increase the height limitation at the Pacific Seafood site from 24 ft. to 35 ft. The Port of Bandon, however, subsequently submitted a request that the proposed height increase not be considered at this time, and the City Council agreed to remove that item.
2. Due to an unintended omission, the originally proposed amendments to the height restrictions in most zones would have prevented the installation of any future HAM radio towers. In response to requests from the HAM radio operators, who function as an integral part of the City's emergency communications system, the proposed height regulations were amended by the Planning Commission during the public hearing process to allow HAM radio towers up to 70 feet in height (higher with a conditional use permit) in most zones, except the more visually sensitive areas along the bluff, South Jetty, waterfront, etc.
3. Some concern was expressed that the proposed new height regulations would prevent the construction of electric wind generators. Although the proposed height limitations would apply to electric wind generators and commercial telecommunications towers in most areas, such structures would continue be allowed without height limitation in the LI-Light Industrial and HI-Heavy Industrial zones, provided they were located at least 150 feet from any residential zone. A request was made to delay action on this item for one month, to provide the opportunity for Jim Giambrone, who works with the City on alternative energy systems, to prepare an alternative proposal. The City Council agreed to only consider passing the proposed ordinance to a second reading at this meeting, and to move final adoption to next month's meeting. (Adoption of ordinances requires two separate votes by the City Council. The first is to pass it to a second reading, and the second is to adopt the ordinance.)
4. Concern was expressed by several property owners along 7th Street, adjacent to Madison Avenue, that the proposed reduction in height limit from 28 ft. to 24 ft. would negatively impact the views from properties which were located behind the bluff-side properties. The City Council directed staff to prepare an amendment to the proposed regulations which would reduce the height limit for bluff-side properties, but would allow the parcels immediately behind them to retain their current 28 ft. height allowance.
5. Some concern had been expressed regarding the changes proposed to the regulations regarding vision clearance areas at intersections. Those regulations require that nothing within certain distances of street to street or driveway to street intersections be allowed over 30 inches tall. This is to improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle safety by making by improving visibility at intersections. It was pointed out that the proposed amendments to the vision clearance areas did not change any of the existing regulations, but only consolidated and clarified the language in accordance with current practices.
Following the public hearing, and after discussing the proposed amendments, the City Council passed the ordinance to a second reading, by unanimous vote. Final consideration is scheduled for the March 3, 2008 meeting.
REQUEST FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE STREET CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
At their February 4th meeting, the City Council reviewed a request for an exception to the street construction standards. The proposal is to extend the existing 16 feet wide paving at the west end of 6th Street SE, west off of Ohio Avenue, for a distance of 70 feet, to allow the construction of a home on a parcel which currently does not have open street frontage.
Pursuant to the City's Transportation System Plan, the City street construction standards require new local streets to be paved to a minimum width of 28 feet, with curbs, gutters, sidewalk(s), and underground drainage. To accommodate small extensions to existing substandard streets, such as those paved during the City-wide street paving project in 2002, the City Council subsequently adopted exceptions standards which allow extensions in the same configuration as the street being extended. The idea was that it was not in the City's interest, nor individual property owner's interest, to construct a full 28 feet wide street extension, with curbs, gutters, sidewalk(s), and underground drainage, to serve one or two homes at the very end of a street which was only 16 feet wide, with ditch drainage and no curbs, gutters, or sidewalks.
The request meets most of the requirements for the substandard extension, except that the new roadway could be extended in the future to serve more than the maximum of two residences allowed in the regulations. Although there is a very steep slope west of the proposed extension which would make future extensions or property development difficult, and although one of the parcels is owned by the City, and although existing conditions and considerations may indicate that an exception to the full street construction standards could be appropriate, staff could not make an absolute determination that the site characteristics would "preclude" any future extensions to serve additional properties. The current regulations do not allow any flexibility for the City Council to waive the strict interpretation of the ordinance.
After discussing the matter, the City Council determined it would be appropriate to amend the current regulations to allow them to also consider variances for individual cases which may not meet the strictest interpretation of the guidelines, but are determined to be in the best interest of the property owner and the City. By unanimous vote, the Council directed staff to prepare and bring back for Council consideration an amendment to the existing code, which would allow more flexibility for the City Council to grant individual exceptions to the street construction standards. Adoption of the proposed amendment is scheduled for the March 3, 2008 meeting. If adopted, the new regulations would allow the City Council to consider the subject exception request, as well as any future similar requests.
EXTENSION OF THE COQUILLE VALLEY ENTERPRISE ZONE
In 2000 the City of Bandon joined the Coquille Valley Enterprise Zone. Enterprise zones are authorized by State Statutes, and were intended to provide an incentive for encouraging economic development in economically disadvantaged areas. Generally, they provide for a 3 to 5 year (based on job creation benchmarks) property tax abatement on the value of new plant and equipment investments for qualifying industrial, manufacturing, and related industries, as well as certain hotels, motels, and destination resorts in some zones. This abatement applies only to new qualifying investment, and does not lower any existing property taxes.
Other members of the original Coquille Valley Enterprise Zone include Coos County and the cities of Coquille and Myrtle Point. This Enterprise Zone was originally formed in 1988, and with renewal term of 10 years, is up for renewal or elimination in July, 2008. All of the other existing members have decided to renew the Zone for another 10 year term, and both the Port of Bandon and the Port of Coquille have joined. The Enterprise Zone is currently managed by Coos Curry Douglas (CCD) Business Development Corporation.
The areas of Bandon which are within the Enterprise Zone generally include the Woolen Mill area, commercial and industrial properties south of 11th Street along Highway 101 and Fillmore Avenue, and the private commercial and industrial land inside the urban growth boundary adjacent to the Airport. At this time, no projects within the City limits have applied for and received property tax abatements. Adjacent to the City, however, Bandon Dunes has received abatements, and the new Hardin Optical facility has made application. Since they are outside the City, their status would not be affected by the decision of the City to remain in or withdraw from the Coquille Valley Enterprise Zone. The impact of the City of Bandon's participation would relate to whether or not the City wanted to provide the same property tax incentive for certain qualifying industrial, manufacturing, and other eligible businesses to locate within Bandon, as compared to Coos County, Coquille, Myrtle Point, and the Ports of Bandon and Coquille.
There is no direct cost for the City to remain in the Enterprise Zone. CCD, the Zone Manager, obtains their funding through a surcharge of .001 times the value of the abated project. The indirect cost to the City would be the value of the 3 to 5 year City property tax abatement. At current rates, this would be $2.16 per $1,000 assessed valuation of additional investments made by future qualifying business. In exchange for this City abatement, the qualifying business would realize a total property tax abatement of $11.59 per $1,000 assessed valuation, including all of the taxes abated by the overlapping taxing districts.
At the February 4th meeting, the City Council determined that it would be appropriate to continue Bandon's membership in the Coquille Valley Enterprise Zone. Councilors Briscoe, Drew, Powell, Procetto, and Tiffany voted in favor of the motion, with Councilor Claassen voting in opposition. (No vote was cast by Mayor Schamehorn, since the Mayor only votes in the case of a tie.)
UPDATE ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION SCHEDULE
The City and the contractor have negotiated the final schedule for completion of the Community Center renovation project. Work on the new kitchen, senior center, and dining room work is scheduled to be substantially complete by July 31, 2008. This will allow the current major users to move back into the space. The remaining work on the new meeting rooms, where the senior center and east-west rooms are currently located, is scheduled to be substantially complete by September 10, 2008.
During construction, the senior center has been temporarily relocated to the Restoration Worship Center at 89 North Avenue; the EAT evening meal program has been relocated to the Presbyterian Church at 592 Edison Avenue; and the daily senior meals program has been relocated to the Face Rock Golf Course clubhouse at 3235 Beach Loop Drive. The Boy Scouts and Lions Club will be holding their meetings at the Face Rock Golf Course clubhouse, and the income tax preparation assistance program has been moved to the Restoration Worship Center, along with the senior center. A special thanks goes out to Mary and Dan Wilson and the congregation at the Restoration Worship Center, to Pastor Bobbie Niesen and the congregation at the Presbyterian Church, and to Margaret Miller and Jerry Brown from the Face Rock Golf Course for allowing the City to use their facilities while the Community Center is being renovated.
CITY TO USE "GREEN" RESOURCES WHERE APPROPRIATE IN THE CENTER IN THE PARK
At their February 4th meeting, the City Council passed a resolution calling for the utilization of green power and renewable resources where appropriate in the Community Center renovation project. This was done following a recommendation by Nancy Evans, manager of the Community Center, which is now being referred to as "the Center in the Park." The goal is to make the renovation a southern Oregon coast demonstration project for energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources, which will enable the City to obtain the grant funding necessary to install energy efficient measures, complete the kitchen, upgrade the finishes in the new meeting rooms, and purchase the other items and improvements necessary to complete the project.
Some of the "greening" measures will include utilizing more environmentally preferred materials for such items concrete mix, floor covering, insulation, sheetrock, paint, kitchen equipment, etc. The City is also looking into the feasibility and cost impacts of replacing the currently proposed heat pump system with a more energy efficient ductless system, and installing a solar hot water heating system.
The City Council has agreed to purchase 100% of the amount of electric power necessary to operate the Center from its Environmentally Preferred ("green") Power (EPP) resource, which is wind power being acquired from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The City anticipates also offering this green power to all Bandon electric customers beginning next month. A pamphlet and sign-up form will be mailed to all electric customers at that time. Last fiscal year, the Community Center consumed 97,510 kWh of electric power, at a total cost of $6,370.23. At $1.10 per 100 kWh, which is the anticipated premium to be charged to electric customers who elect to purchase the City's green power, the additional cost to purchase this amount of green power for the Center would be $1,072.61 per year.
ENERGY CONSERVATION REBATES AVAILABLE
This is a reminder regarding the City of Bandon's Energy Efficiency Programs and rebates which are available to our electric utility customers. The City is helping customers save money and energy by offering rebates for the installation of certain approved and qualified energy efficient equipment and measures, including the following:
- Energy Star appliance rebates for refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.
- Energy efficient electric water heaters.
- Residential heat pumps.
- Residential insulation.
- Energy efficient windows.
- Energy efficient residential lighting.
- Energy efficient commercial lighting.
- The City also offers free energy audits of your home, to identify ways you can reduce your energy consumption and save money.
For more information on these and other Energy Efficiency Programs, call our Energy Efficiency hotline at 1-888-833-9879. Rebate application forms are also available at City Hall.
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEW STOP BARS ON HIGHWAY 101
As everyone has probably noticed by now, the new, more visible crosswalk markings have been installed on Highway 101 at 9th, 10th, and 11th Streets. The new markings also include additional signage and "stop bars" in advance of each crosswalk. Please remember that motorists must stop at the "stop bars" to allow pedestrians to cross the street. The Police Department will be patrolling through the school zone, to assist drivers in complying with this law.
LINDA'S CHURCH JOKE
Linda was back in form this week, and has this one for you:
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of religious service, when she was startled by an intruder.
As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home, she yelled, "Stop - Acts 2:38 (...turn from your sin...)!"
The burglar stopped dead in his tracks, so the woman was able to call the police and explain what had happened.
As the officer handcuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you."
"Scripture?" replied the burglar, "I thought she said she had an axe and two 38's!"
HA! HA! Ha! HO! Ho! HA! Ha! ha! ha! ha!
ANYTHING ELSE?
Do you have any questions, input, or suggestions? Are there any topics you want addressed or covered in the Newsletter? If so, please let me know at citymanager@ci.bandon.or.us. For more complex questions or issues that may take significant discussion, please feel free to contact me by telephone at (541) 347-2437, voice mail ext. 229, so we can schedule an appointment.
Also, remember to visit the City of Bandon WEB page at www.ci.bandon.or.us, where you can get more information on this wonderful place in which we live.
That's it for now. Have a great day!
Matt Winkel
City Manager
