OCTOBER, 2001 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES:

1.    ROLL CALL: Chair Balen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Chair Balen and Commissioners Milligan, Hauser, Meatzie, Uhl, Cutter and Cvar answered the roll. A quorum was present.
2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3.    COMMISSION COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Commissioner Cutter made a suggestion that stop signs be installed at the intersection of Range Drive and Crestline Drive, by the skatepark. His concern in regards to the fact that speeding traffic and kids on skateboards did not mix. Commission Chair Balen asked about the timeline for the skatepark, Assistant Planner Cerbone responded that construction was slated for possibly next year. Commissioner Hauser wanted to know the final outcome of the fence controversy. Mr. Cerbone noted that the issue was still ongoing. City Planner Thompson noted that the fence was 5' tall, which is in violation of the City Code. Commissioner Milligan moved to have the City Planner send the Urban Renewal Agency a letter, notifying them of the violation. Commissioner Cutter seconded. Mr. Thompson indicated he will check the code in regards to the back fence. The motion then carried unanimously on a voice vote. Commissioner Meatzie voiced a concern that there was an existing structure on the Arce property in the Industrial Park. Following discussion, it was determined that there was another lot between the tax lot in question and Crestline Drive which did have a building on it, but it did not belong to Mr. Arce. Chair Balen noted that the Downtown Revitalization Committee had come up with some suggested criteria for the RFP for the sale of the Waldport Motel lot. They had rediscussed the issue at their last meeting, and the final vote was to recommend selling the front portion only. The back portion would be used as a parking lot and green area, leaving a corridor to connect the front of the lot to the rear parking area. That vote passed. Mr. Balen had volunteered to do a sketch of the proposal. He displayed the conceptual design for the City lots for the benefit of the Planning Commission, and explained the drawing. Commissioner Milligan thanked him for his efforts. The drawing will be presented to the Revitalization Committee at their next meeting.
4.    MINUTES: The Commission considered the minutes from the August 21, 2001 meeting. Commissioner Cutter moved to accept the minutes as presented, Commissioner Hauser seconded. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5.    CORRESPONDENCE: Although there was nothing in the packet, Mr Thompson noted that he had received a complaint on the old Mercantile building, and reported a citation issued. He had gotten a response from the property owner, who would be meeting with Mr. Thompson and the concerned property owner next Tuesday.
6.    PUBLIC HEARING: None.
7.    OLD BUSINESS: None.
8.    NEW BUSINESS:
    A.    Scope of Work for TGM Grant for Downtown Refinement Plan: Mr. Thompson noted that the reason this was included in the packet was that he and Mr. Cerbone would be meeting with representatives from ODOT to go over the requested tasks. Discussion regarding parking ensued. It was noted that RV parking was planned for the area of Red Ditch. Chair Balen suggested that a survey be done of Old Town, to identify the structures and lots and come up with an analysis to bring it up to some level of respectability, especially for parking. Mr. Cerbone indicated he would include parking and sidewalks in the Scope of Work. Commissioner Cvar stated that he would like to see the public involved as much as possible in the process. Mr. Cerbone responded that as part of the conceptual design process, input from the public was requested, and he would include additional public input in the Scope of Work. Chair Balen suggested that the City consider providing low-cost loans for businesses to improve their facades and landscaping, especially in the downtown corridor. He also noted that one way to encourage citizen input was to run the meetings on an informal basis, allowing for open discussion rather than a rigid committee structure.
    B.    Planning Reports: Mr. Thompson reviewed his written reports from August 13 and September 28. He noted that the owner of the property at 845 Bay Street did not respond to the municipal court citation, and now the Council could be asked to remove the vehicles and lien the property for the expense. Commissioner Milligan asked about the new house on Chad Drive, and the fact that the hillside had been cut away, which could erode and impact the surrounding houses. Discussion ensued. Chair Balen suggested that a geotech should be required before the slope is cut, and proposed that as a change to the Development Code. Mr. Thompson was requested to research the Code for cuts, soil analysis and slope, to bring to the next Planning Commission meeting for review.
9.    ADJOURNMENT: At 7:38 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Hauser moved to adjourn. Commissioner Cutter seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

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