JANUARY, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2004
At 5:35 p.m. the Planning Commission convened
in a workshop setting. Present were: Chair Balen, Commissioners Cutter, Uhl and
Milligan, Councilors Church and Woodruff, City Administrator Leonard, City
Planner Lewis and City Clerk Quinlan. Chair Balen introduced Dale Jordan from
DLCD. Mr. Jordan proceeded to give an interesting and informative review of land
use planning in Oregon. At 6:28 p.m. the workshop session was adjourned.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call: At 6:40 p.m., Chair Balen called the Planning
Commission meeting to order. Chair Balen and Commissioners Milligan, Cutter, Uhl
and Cvar answered the roll. Commissioner Meatzie was absent. A quorum was
present.
2. Citizen Comments and Concerns: None.
3. Commission Comments and Concerns: Commissioner Uhl cited a concern regarding
the flea market, indicating he had several people asking about what can be done
about the "maze" of tables and signs, especially on the weekends. Consensus of
the Commission was that a letter needed to be written to tell vendors to move
tables off sidewalk or leave sufficient room for pedestrian traffic on the
sidewalk. Commissioner Cutter again noted the condition of the Crestline Drive
area, where people are parking on the shoulder of the street, forcing kids and
other pedestrians out into the street. His suggestion was that the City look at
creating a "no parking" zone on one side of the street, or put in a raised
sidewalk. Chair Balen mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Committee was
working on developing a trail system from the park to the downtown area and
improving parking facilities at the park. Commissioner Cutter stated that he
would be attending the next Council meeting to air his concerns. Commissioner
Cvar agreed with Commissioner Cutter regarding the conditions for traveling as a
pedestrian, and also felt that signage was appropriate. Chair Balen noted
receipt of a card announcing an upcoming meeting of the Economic Development
Alliance of Lincoln County.
4. Consideration of Minutes: The Commission considered the minutes from the
October 28, 2003 meeting. Commissioner Cvar moved to accept the minutes, and
Commissioner Milligan seconded. Commissioner Cvar noted two scrivener's errors,
and moved to accept the minutes as amended. Commissioner Uhl seconded, and the
motion carried, with Chair Balen and Commissioners Milligan, Uhl and Cvar voting
"Aye", Commissioner Cutter abstaining as he had not been present at the meeting.
Commissioner Uhl then moved to accept the minutes of the December 9, 2003
meeting. Commissioner Milligan seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a
voice vote.
5. Correspondence: The only correspondence was in conjunction with the Public
Hearing.
6. Public Hearing - Case File 4-V-03, Nigel Cottier, Request for Variance: Chair
Balen opened the Public Hearing, calling for abstentions, conflicts of interest,
bias, and ex parte contact. Commissioner Cvar indicated that he had looked at
the property in question and had viewed what appeared to be the staking off of
the mobile home. Chair Balen noted a brief discussion with the City Planner
regarding the request, but felt that there were no issues to preclude taking the
case in hand.
Staff Report: Mr. Lewis reviewed the staff report. He
indicated that the applicant had distributed additional materials to the
Commission that evening. Also, subsequent to the staff report, two more letters
of opposition had been received. From the audience, Mr. Sagaitis drew the
Commission's attention to the clause in the public notice which stated that "Any
documents or evidence submitted by the applicant after twenty (20) days prior to
the hearing constitutes grounds for a continuance of the hearing if any party
requests such a continuance", and requested such a continuance. Mr. Woodruff
agreed. Chair Balen asked the Commission if they wished to continue the hearing.
Mr. Cottier offered to withdraw the documents, and stated that he was willing to
work with the evidence previously presented. Chair Balen stated that, in light
of the language in the notice, the Commission could not disregard the evidence
and would have to take action. Chair Balen then closed the Public Hearing and
reopened the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Cutter moved to continue
the hearing to February 24, 2004. Commissioner Milligan seconded, and the motion
carried unanimously.
7. Discussion/Action Items:
A. Planning Reports: Mr. Lewis reviewed the planning reports
for November and December. During this review, Commissioner Cvar absented
himself from the meeting for a brief conversation with Mr. Cottier.
B. Other Issues: None.
8. Adjournment: At 7:25 p.m., there being no further business to come before the
Commission, Commissioner Cutter moved to adjourn. Commissioner Cvar seconded,
and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan
City Clerk
APPROVED by the Planning Commission this 24th day of February, 2004.
SIGNED by the Chair this 24th day of February, 2004.
Samuel Balen, Chair