By Anne Scheck
MONEY FOR NEW PARK NOT AVAILABLE
An estimated $800,000 for a neighborhood park in Sunset Meadows, the newest subdivision in Independence, is too costly to pay all at once – so the park will be built in phases, according to Shawn Irvine, economic development director for City of Independence.
A resolution for approving the park is on the agenda at tonight’s city council meeting.
The forecast in the master plan – which comes to nearly a million dollars with additional interest and other costs – means it is unable to be immediately constructed, said Mr. Irvine, who was asked about the cost projections at the last city council meeting. So the park will be built in stages over several years, he said.
Plans for the park make it the most linear in the city; It is slated for a slice of land between back yards of a relatively new city block. Aside from homeowners who have direct backyard access, park entrances will be placed between house-lots on Maple and Chestnut streets.
Sunset Meadows Park will feature a nature-play area and a pedestrian pathway that leads from one entrance to the other.
A resolution for approving the park is on the agenda at tonight’s city council meeting.
The forecast in the master plan – which comes to nearly a million dollars with additional interest and other costs – means it is unable to be immediately constructed, said Mr. Irvine, who was asked about the cost projections at the last city council meeting. So the park will be built in stages over several years, he said.
Plans for the park make it the most linear in the city; It is slated for a slice of land between back yards of a relatively new city block. Aside from homeowners who have direct backyard access, park entrances will be placed between house-lots on Maple and Chestnut streets.
Sunset Meadows Park will feature a nature-play area and a pedestrian pathway that leads from one entrance to the other.
UPDATE: ACCESSORY DWELLINGS
A state law that allows at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to be built for each home in areas previously zoned for single-family housing has some cities scrambling to enact new local provisions for the option. So far, the nearby towns of Corvallis, Salem and Monmouth have passed special guidelines for the construction of these smaller units, often called “guest cottages” or “grandparent flats.” Independence has an existing provision for ADUs.
Without specifically-tailored local ordinances, home-made “tiny houses” in yards and trailers in driveways could conceivably be claimed as an ADU, depending on code interpretation, according to a 2018 audit that looked at previous zoning by cities for ADUs.
Without specifically-tailored local ordinances, home-made “tiny houses” in yards and trailers in driveways could conceivably be claimed as an ADU, depending on code interpretation, according to a 2018 audit that looked at previous zoning by cities for ADUs.
COMING UP: CENSUS
The 2020 census is on its way – and this one is cyber-ready. Individuals will have a higher-tech option this time around, allowing them to complete the census "self-response" questions online. For those who don’t want to use the internet, the census also can be taken by filling out a form or by phone, according to a state report on the pending count.
In Independence, the census may help determine whether the city’s population is accurately listed by the Population Research Center at Portland State University, which tracks Oregon cities (and puts Independence at 9,370) or whether it more closely matches the current estimate at just above 10,000 in the federal database.
In Independence, the census may help determine whether the city’s population is accurately listed by the Population Research Center at Portland State University, which tracks Oregon cities (and puts Independence at 9,370) or whether it more closely matches the current estimate at just above 10,000 in the federal database.
FINAL NOTE
For the month of April, Independence Police Officers will be working extra patrol shifts to detect distracted drivers. This operation is being made possible as a result of a “Distracted Driving” grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation. In the past, some of these incidents have turned out to be a driver on a cellphone, a driver focused on eating a sandwich or a driver drinking (or spilling!) a cup of coffee – but all can lead to unsafe driving, which often precedes an accident, according to the Independence Police Department.
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