CROWDS & CLAMOR AT PLANNING COMMISSION
Plans for a new subdivision in southwest Independence drew a 30-plus crowd of people to the planning commission Monday night – and, after hearing their concerns, the commissioners scheduled another meeting on the proposal.
During the public hearing, residents of Sunset Meadows voiced objections to an adjacent tract, Brandy Meadows, citing potential traffic congestion and an alleged lack of a clarity about how a park would be created on land partly dedicated to stormwater control.
The parcel for the park should be a recreational space that families can enjoy, from bicycle-riding children to dog-walking pet owners, said Rich Clark, one of the residents. It’s also home to some osprey birds.
“We’re aware of the storm drain issues, the traffic issues and the osprey nest,” said the developer, Harvey Cummings of Damascus, Ore. He added that he wants to address those factors, “to get in there and work with staff.”
Brandy Meadows is slated to have townhomes, single-family houses, duplexes and a fourplex, according to City Planner Fred Evander, who presented plans for the subdivision. Although there’s a specific traffic analysis report for the site, the overall traffic-system plan by Independence goes back to 2007, Mr. Evander acknowledged. A 12-year-old city traffic plan can be considered “a bit outdated,” Mr. Cummings said.
Noting part of Brandy Meadows will be in a vibrant riparian area, Kristen Larson, executive director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council, urged that the final proposal to demonstrate “being good stewards of our creeks and rivers.”
Planning Commissioner Kate Schwarzler seemed to sum it all up when she said she’d like to have a “better understanding” of the park and traffic plans. The rest of the commission – minus two commissioners who were absent Monday – concurred with that conclusion. The next meeting is Sept. 23.
Plans for a new subdivision in southwest Independence drew a 30-plus crowd of people to the planning commission Monday night – and, after hearing their concerns, the commissioners scheduled another meeting on the proposal.
During the public hearing, residents of Sunset Meadows voiced objections to an adjacent tract, Brandy Meadows, citing potential traffic congestion and an alleged lack of a clarity about how a park would be created on land partly dedicated to stormwater control.
The parcel for the park should be a recreational space that families can enjoy, from bicycle-riding children to dog-walking pet owners, said Rich Clark, one of the residents. It’s also home to some osprey birds.
“We’re aware of the storm drain issues, the traffic issues and the osprey nest,” said the developer, Harvey Cummings of Damascus, Ore. He added that he wants to address those factors, “to get in there and work with staff.”
Brandy Meadows is slated to have townhomes, single-family houses, duplexes and a fourplex, according to City Planner Fred Evander, who presented plans for the subdivision. Although there’s a specific traffic analysis report for the site, the overall traffic-system plan by Independence goes back to 2007, Mr. Evander acknowledged. A 12-year-old city traffic plan can be considered “a bit outdated,” Mr. Cummings said.
Noting part of Brandy Meadows will be in a vibrant riparian area, Kristen Larson, executive director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council, urged that the final proposal to demonstrate “being good stewards of our creeks and rivers.”
Planning Commissioner Kate Schwarzler seemed to sum it all up when she said she’d like to have a “better understanding” of the park and traffic plans. The rest of the commission – minus two commissioners who were absent Monday – concurred with that conclusion. The next meeting is Sept. 23.
CITY & COUNTY
Would you like to know when extreme weather is likely to occur? How about why there are helicopters flying overhead? A fast-as-lightning notification system that connects and conveys information across Polk County is launching – and it will be available to anyone in Independence who wants it, according to Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton. He announced the development at the Board of Commissioners Tuesday.
Called CivicReady, it’s an online system designed specifically for local governments like the one in Independence. Sign-ups for the alerts – done through the soon-to-be-activated youralerts.org – can be delivered by email, text or voicemail, he explained. The cost to Independence is expected to be around $2,000 annually.
Would you like to know when extreme weather is likely to occur? How about why there are helicopters flying overhead? A fast-as-lightning notification system that connects and conveys information across Polk County is launching – and it will be available to anyone in Independence who wants it, according to Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton. He announced the development at the Board of Commissioners Tuesday.
Called CivicReady, it’s an online system designed specifically for local governments like the one in Independence. Sign-ups for the alerts – done through the soon-to-be-activated youralerts.org – can be delivered by email, text or voicemail, he explained. The cost to Independence is expected to be around $2,000 annually.
IN BRIEF
Needed sanitation-system upgrades are expected to cost about $10 million, including pump-lift stations and new pipes for conveying wastewater. The topic is covered in the September issue of The Independent. The drinking-water supply, which also utilizes pump stations but carries groundwater, will be the subject of a future issue that addresses the planned expansion of the that system to accommodate the growing area of southwest Independence.
Needed sanitation-system upgrades are expected to cost about $10 million, including pump-lift stations and new pipes for conveying wastewater. The topic is covered in the September issue of The Independent. The drinking-water supply, which also utilizes pump stations but carries groundwater, will be the subject of a future issue that addresses the planned expansion of the that system to accommodate the growing area of southwest Independence.
COMING UP
Donatellos Pizza is nearly ready to move into a mid-block location on Main Street downtown. The restaurant, which operates in Salem, expects to have a menu and atmosphere in Independence that will prove a draw to local families, according to the owner-operators.
Donatellos Pizza is nearly ready to move into a mid-block location on Main Street downtown. The restaurant, which operates in Salem, expects to have a menu and atmosphere in Independence that will prove a draw to local families, according to the owner-operators.
A FINAL NOTE
Thank you for your questions about the water-and-sewer system. This is a continuing issue, and answers to all your inquiries will be sought.
Thank you for your questions about the water-and-sewer system. This is a continuing issue, and answers to all your inquiries will be sought.
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