CITY OF HEPPNER

PLANNING COMMISSION

May 3, 2004

 

ATTENDEES:

 

Jerry Gentry, Chairman

Jerry Breazeale, City Manager

Bob Jepsen, Mayor

Suzanne Jepsen

Dave Fowler

Duane Jones

Bill Kuhn, City Attorney

 

Absent:  Dan Dunnett

              Rod Wilson

              Deborah Kendrick

 

1.  General Business:

 

      A)  Call to Order:  The May 3, 2004, meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Gentry. 

 

      B)  Introductions:  None.

 

      C)  Announcements:  None.

 

      D)  Approval of the minutes of the Planning Commission, March 1, 2004.  The March 4, 2004 minutes were reviewed by Members present.  One correction was identified by Mrs. Jepsen:  Page 3, line 12, sentence should read:  “She also stated . . . . . . . . . . .make Heppner an attractive place to live.

 

      Motion by Mrs. Jepsen to accept the March 1 minutes as corrected.  Seconded by Mr. Fowler.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Public Hearings.  Mr. Gentry stated that he has a conflict with the request since he has been hired by the applicants to represent them in the request for variance property setback.  He has had exparte communications with the Hires.  Today he discussed the property with one of the neighboring property owners, Mr. Hoskins.  On behalf of the Planning Commission, Mr. Gentry visited the site with Mr. Hoskins.  Mr. Hoskins’ property abuts the Hire property on the uphill slope, and Mr. Hoskins was concerned about his property being undermined by the construction.  Mr. Gentry informed Mr. Hoskins that he would bring this to the Planning Commission and whether there is some terracing needed.  Mr. Gentry stated that terracing was not required, but would be beneficial to the owner.  Terracing would not affect the Hoskins property, but would enhance the Hire property.  Mr. Gentry answered questions form Commission members concerning the location of the property, and stated that no communications had been received from any of the neighboring property owners.  Mr. Gentry explained that the Hires were requesting to build within 6 feet of the property line versus the 20 foot setback.  Mr. Gentry stated that the proposed garage will be an attractive structure.  Mrs. Jepsen asked if there are plans to terrace the property and Mr. Gentry stated that he is going to wait and see what the finished project looks like, but personally does not see this as a concern, and feels that the plan . 

 

3.  Planning Commission Action.  Motion by Mrs. Jepsen to grant the relief from setback requirement from 20 feet to 6 feet for construction of a 30 ft. x 30 ft x 12 ft. garage at 285 Center Street, Map No. 2S 26 34AA, Tax Lot 1700, Robert and Laura Hire.  Seconded by Mr. Jones.  Motion carried.  

 

3.  New Business.  None.

 

4.  Old Business. 

 

      A)  Baker/Morrow Land Use Committee, Urban Growth Boundary Adjustments, grant from the Oregon Community Solutions Team.  Progress report.  Mr. Breazeale reported that there has been no action since the last meeting on the UGB with property owners.  Mr. Breazeale stated that he had mailed a letter to all the property owners that were excluded from the area that is being considered and informed them that they were not under consideration and would receive no further notices except for notices of public hearings.  This is on hold until the Department of Land Conservation and Development makes a ruling on the validity of the arguments being presented.  On May 14, Mr. Breazeale has a meeting with John Jennings to address all concerns.  After this meeting, they will propose to move forward on making an application for expansion based on input from land owners.

 

      B)  City Purchase of former Klamath 1st Federal Building.  According to Mr. Breazeale the City Council continues to move forward with the process.  There has been an offer to purchase from David and April Sykes which the City Council refused and submitted a counter offer to the Sykes which will be presented to the City Council.  Depending on the Council’s ruling, an Earnest Money Agreement has been prepared.  The Council is generally in favor of moving forward on the purchase.  At the last Council meeting, there were not many people in attendance to voice opinions on this.  Mr. Jones stated that since the last Planning Commission meeting he has spoken with members of the public and the only negative comments he received were emotional.  Mr. Gentry has had two negative comments.  Both of these were that we should be putting money in the city infrastructure instead of a city hall.  Mr. Jones stated that some of the people don’t understand why the City Manager needs a private office.  Mr. Breazeale explained that in order to conduct business concerning the city, privacy to maintain confidentiality is a requirement.

 

5.  Information Items.

 

      A)  Correspondence.  None.

 

      B)  Communications from Commissioners.  Chairman Gentry apologized for missing the last Council meeting that he was scheduled to attend.  Mr. Fowler will represent the Planning Commission at the next Council meeting. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.