Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council held the first readings of ordinances that will change zoning in two areas.
The first of those is composed of 32.1 acres between 18th and 22nd avenues and between Tamarack Street and Yucca Street, on the north end of 18th Avenue. If approved, the zoning would change from residential industrial transition to medium-density residential.
The second changes two properties, totaling 4.4 acres, from planned recreation commercial to low-density residential. The properties are located on the east bank of Wiley Creek just north of Highway 20.
Off 18th Avenue, the area was in residential use since the opening of the neighboring mill to the east, said Associate Planner Angela Clegg. The proposed change would align the neighborhood with the Comprehensive Plan, and the zoning would match better with the current use in the area.
Property owners run into difficulties trying to sell, develop or divide the properties thanks to the criteria in the residential industrial transition zone, Clegg said. Unless pre-existing, lot sizes must be 8,000 square feet, while most lot size requirements in the area are closer to 5,000 and 6,000 square feet.
Property owners must meet low-density residential zone setback requirements, which can be difficult with smaller lots, Clegg said, and it often leaves no room for a structure that also meets requirements.
At Wiley Creek, the rezone returns the property to the low-density residential it was prior to 1999 when the city created the planned recreation commercial zone on behalf of development partners who had created a master plan and a proposal to develop most of the property north of the Highway 20 commercial zone and between 18th Avenue and 47th Avenue. The Wiley Creek property was designated PRC at the same time.
If the zoning is approved, the applicant will submit a request for a partition and property line adjustment to further develop the land for single-family dwellings, Clegg said. In the PRC zone, new single-family dwellings are not outright permitted.
Following a public hearing, the council voted to hold the first reading of an ordinance to approve the zone changes. The council will hold a second reading at its March 10 meeting. After a third reading on March 24, the council may decide whether to approve the zone changes.
Present at the meeting were councilors Cortney Nash, Susan Coleman, Lisa Gourley, Mayor Greg Mahler, Diane Gerson, James Goble and Dave Trask.
In other business, the council:
– Approved a resolution designating the city manager as the federal certifying officer for the Community Development Block Grant-funded Linn County Housing Rehabilitation program. As in the past, the designation allows the city manager to execute documents associated with the program.
The city is the designated applicant for CDBG funding this year. The program covers several communities throughout the county, and the funding each year is shared among their property owners, providing low-interest loans to rehabilitate homes. The loans are paid back when a property is sold.
– Received information and discussed an ordinance that city staff intends to propose regulating large events in public rights-of-way. The city manager directed that a permit process be established under his authority as a stop gap, said Community and Economic Development Director Blair Larsen, but an ordinance is necessary to more fully protect city infrastructure and property while providing for visitor welfare.
– Declared a 1992 Ford E350 van surplus. The city intends to donate the van to the Street Outreach Team, a group of volunteers and social workers assisting homeless persons. The vehicle will allow them a mobile sheltered area where team members could talk to individuals privately while protected from inclement weather.
– Accepted a $500 Oregon Community Trees grant to help pay for an Arbor Day celebration. The city has received a grant 11 out of the 33 years that it has been part of Tree City USA. It is used to celebrate Arbor Day, a requirement of the Tree City program.
“This year’s celebration will be especially important to staff and the Park and Tree Committee,” Clegg said. “Alice Smith, a member of the Park and Tree Committee for more than 25 years, recently passed away.”
Staff and committee members will dedicate a bench to Smith’s memory in the area where three decorative trees, likely cherry, are to be planted at Sankey Park to honor her dedication to the City of Sweet Home, Clegg said.
The city has budgeted $1,350 in matching funds.
– Held the second reading of minor adjustments to several ordinances.