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The Oregon Coastal Futures Project is a project of
1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Downtown Development Association,
and
Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

1000 Friends of Oregon is grateful for the following foundations' support of the Coastal Futures Project:

• Meyer Memorial Trust

• Collins Foundation

• Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust

• Goodman Foundation

• Over the River and Through the Woods Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

February 1 , 2005

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COASTAL FUTURES PROJECT

Join Use in Seaside February 12 for Working with Treasure: The Future of Oregon’s Coast

Please join us and dozens of coastal residents who have already signed up to be at the Seaside Convention Center on Saturday, February 12, 2005 for the public forum Working with Treasure: The Future of Oregon’s Coast. This will be an opportunity for participants to learn about new land use tools, grapple with coastal issues ranging from transportation to downtown development, and hear speakers discussing the financing of economic development, and case studies of successful north coast projects. Read more information and register online.

Mid-Coast Outreach Intensifies

Beginning in March, the Project will turn some of its attention to the mid-coast, and begin holding public meetings and giving presentations in Lincoln County and coastal lane and Douglas Counties. This is the prelude to developing a forum for the mid-coast that responds to local needs, a process similar to that undertaken by the project for the north coast. If you know of a meeting that would benefit from a presentation about the project, please contact Cameron LaFollette, Coastal Advocate, at cameron@coastalfutures.org

Free Community Design Workshop

A free design workshop covering the north and mid coasts is part of the Project. This will be a one-day event featuring planners and designers who make concrete drawings to envision two specific projects. The design workshop will take place in the late fall of 2005. Applications for the design workshop will be available by the end of March. Please contact us for more information.

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COASTAL NEWS

Fort Clatsop National Park Fort to Sea Trail Expansion

Ft. Clatsop National Park will be growing by 921 acres, thanks to a sale from Weyerhaeuser to the Conservation Fund. The Fund will eventually sell the land to the Park when funds are available. But meantime, the sale allows work to begin on the six-mile Fort to Sea Trail. The trail will link Fort Clatsop to Sunset Beach, coming out to Highway 101 near Camp Rilea. The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to build a pedestrian tunnel under the highway for trail users. Learn more.

Possibilities for former Safeway Block in Astoria

The City of Astoria has had many discussions about the future of the Safeway block of land in the downtown area. In December the city decided to keep the property in public ownership. For the time being, Astoria will probably use the property for a public plaza, perhaps along the lines of Pioneer Square in Portland. Retaining the land in public ownership gives the city great flexibility in how ultimately to develop the land, whether privately or publicly, and for what uses. Possibilities include a library, a private building combined with a public plaza, and many other possibilities.

Freight Route for Florence?

The Oregon Department of Transportation is considering the designation of parts of Highway 101 north of Florence as a freight route. The City of Florence and Port of Siuslaw both support the designation, hoping for better funding for road projects. The Northwest Area Commission on Transportation (NWACT), which represents counties, cities and ports from Astoria to Tillamook, is not in favor of the designation. NWACT fears that a freight route designation would limit communities’ ability to manage 101 as a main street and as a scenic highway. The City of Lincoln City has also opposed a freight route for similar reasons. Many are concerned that the designation will increase truck traffic. The ultimate decision will come from the Oregon Transportation Commission, which will hold a public hearing at its May meeting. Learn more.

Range of Housing Choices Needed in Florence

The City of Florence, named last summer as the #1 retirement destination in America (read more), apparently needs affordable housing. Though there is a high demand for real estate in Florence, many buyers are looking for higher-end homes. Florence’s new city council hopes to address the affordable housing demand this year. Some developers have approached the city with proposals for three or four story buildings to help meet the affordable housing gap. One recently approved project north of Fred Meyer in Florence will provide a mixture of upscale and affordable housing, mixed with businesses and parks to reach part of the demand.

Indian Point Rezoning Hearings in Coos County

The Coos County Commission will hold two hearings on a proposal to change the zoning on approximately 184 acres south of Charleston, known as Indian Point. The property borders on Joe Ney Slough, and is just north of the boundary of South Slough Estuarine Reserve. The proposal would change the zoning from Forestry Mixed Use to Urban Residential, in order to allow the owner to build a recreational planned unit development. The first hearing, on Feb. 1, will be at 6 PM at the Coquille Indian Tribe Community Building. The second hearing will be Feb. 17 at 1:30 PM in the Board of Commissioners courtroom in the Coos County courthouse in Coquille. and Feb. 17 in Coquille. Learn more.

Brookings' "Special Transportation Area" Designated

In Mid January, the Oregon Transportation Commission designated a Special Transportation Area (STA) for the downtown area of Brookings from Pacific Avenue to Alder Street. The City supported the designation, which will enhance Highway 101’s function as a main street in downtown Brookings. This stretch of 101 has a high number of accidents—35% above state average; it also lacks bicycle paths and modern sidewalks. As local and regional traffic increases, both ODOT and the city want to improve 101 as a main street in Brookings. Learn more.

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Credits/Subscription Info

Subscribe to the Coastal Futures Update email list at www.coastalfutures.org/update. You can unsubscribe at www.coastalfutures.org/update/unsubscribe.

Coastal Futures Update is edited by Cameron La Follette and Kate Kimball and brought to you by 1000 Friends of Oregon, a statewide organization dedicated to protecting Oregon's quality of life. To help support this work, including the distribution of Coastal Update, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

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