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(June 8, 2006)

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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 16, 2006

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COASTAL FUTURES PROJECT

Looking at the Big Look

The Big Look Task Force has been named. This is the 10-member group appointed to assess whether we have the planning tools we need for the coming changes, such as a population increase of over 50% by 2040. Coastal areas are likely to see greater-than-average population increases. Where and how should we look ahead? See what 1000 Friends of Oregon proposes.

Garibaldi Connections Project report available

The Garibaldi Connections Project report is available for free online here. This report is the culmination of months of work among 1000 Friends of Oregon, City of Garibaldi, Economic Development Council of Tillamook County and Port of Garibaldi. Last fall, Design Action Team members pulled together by 1000 Friends conducted an onsite workshop in Garibaldi. The report reflects what was learned at the visit and includes recommendations on community projects, implementation strategy and funding resources. The report is not the end of the project, but part of a larger set of actions that will strengthen and better integrate Garibaldi and hopefully serve as a model for strategies other Oregon towns can consider.

Coastal Links

There is a lot of information out there about the Oregon coast, but how do you find it? The Coastal Futures Project has pulled together all the Oregon coastal town and county websites, Chambers of Commerce, coastal advocacy organizations, research, sources of maps and GIS data that we could find – just to name a few off a list of 25 topics. It is one centralized place for Oregon coastal web search needs. If we have overlooked something or you know a web address has changed, please let Dan Eisenbeis know.

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COASTAL NEWS

Coos County Commissioner Named to Big Look Task Force

Coos County Commissioner Nikki Whitty is one of ten Oregonians appointed to the three-year "Big Look" Task Force. The first meeting of the task force is March 3. We wish Whitty and the other members every success and thank them for being willing to serve Oregon this way. More information.

Harbor Hills Measure 37 Hearing in Brookings

The Curry County commissioners recently approved a controversial Measure 37 claim that, if built, would allow construction of a new manufactured home park in a lily field on the harbor bench, an area famed for its lily-growing operations. The Strahm claim asks for permission to build a 60-unit mobile home park in the farm land area. Some local residents have opposed the claim on grounds of traffic and storm water flooding. Curry County, like all other counties, approved the claim rather than pay compensation, for which there is no money in the county budget. On February 6, the Brookings City Council also approved the concept of annexing 607-acre portion of Harbor Hills. Read more.

Port Orford May Update Comprehensive Plan

The City of Port Orford has begun a process to determine whether the comprehensive plan needs to be updated for the south side of the city. The community will review current plans and check if changes are needed. A planning team with local, regional and statewide expertise has been assembled. The city sent a survey out to residents that will be tabulated after Feb. 17. There will also be town hall workshops, all of them to be held at City Hall in Port Orford, from 7-9 PM. The dates are: March 16 and April 13. This process is being funded by a grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development. For further information download the flier "Looking to the Future of Our City."

Empire Begins Charting its Future

Empire, the area of Coos Bay near Empire Boulevard, has a lot of undeveloped potential, as most residents agree. To take hold of that potential, the Empire Waterfront Concept Plan committee began meeting in November. The committee members want to make Empire more attractive to tourism and business, and are beginning a master plan process with that goal in mind. There are many potential issues, ranging from traffic to whether the existing water supply is sufficient, to ground stability to support new construction, and the effect of water run-off. The committee’s task is to help make the best vision for this part of Empire a reality.

Dunes City Considering Building Moratorium

Dunes City, just south of Florence, is a town of 1,290 people. The city has no public sewer, no tax base, no police force, no fire department. Woahink and Little Woahink, both pristine coastal lakes, are in the city limits. The city’s water supply comes directly from quiet Woahink Lake. Suddenly six new subdivision requests, if built, could add about 100 new homes to the edges of Woahink Lake. This sudden influx of growth has residents seriously concerned. Dunes City ordinances are poorly equipped to handle water quality questions, or to put good management practices in places to deal with storm water runoff, erosion, and impervious surface runoff that could impair the lakes’ water quality. At their December 8th meeting, the Dunes City City Council took a rare step, voting to notify the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) that they are considering a moratorium. Residents are now gathering data, and working with the lane Council of Governments (LCOG) to show the need for a 120-day moratorium. The first hearing on the moratorium will be March 2, before the City Council.

Riprap Problems in Florence

The city of Florence approved a subdivision in the early 1990s called Shelter Cove, in the crook of land where the Siuslaw River meets the sea. Unfortunately, it is an unstable area, with the river constantly seeking new paths, and the high-end homes now on the site are threatened by erosion that is progressing at the rate of five feet a year. Since the City of Florence approved the development, it could be open to lawsuits from distressed homeowners if the problem isn’t solved. Florence, therefore, is seeking permission from county, state and federal authorities to build a wall of riprap to shore up the crumbling sand. Florence has asked Lane County to change the zoning on the north end of the subdivision, which would allow the riprap. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has expressed concerns about riprap on fish habitat, and there is other controversy about allowing so large an amount of riprap. Lane County Commissioners will hold a hearing in Eugene on February 22 on this proposal.

To review the materials, go here and scroll down to Item 8(c) under Public Works. To see the agenda for the 22nd, go here.

Newport Will Set Date for Home Depot Hearing

On December 21, 2005, the Newport Planning Commission decided that the proposal for a Home Depot in South Beach met all the criteria, and forwarded the land use application to the Newport City Council for final action. There was a great deal of debate at the Planning Commission hearing. Home Depot has asked the city for more time in order to work further on its traffic impact analysis in response to questions raised by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Fort to Sea Trail Protected

The Fort to the Sea Trail is a 5.5 mile hiking trail that connects historic Ft. Clatsop to Sunset Beach State park and the Pacific Ocean—approximately the route used by Lewis and Clark in 1805 to explore the nearby area when they wintered at Ft. Clatsop. The Conservation Fund purchased 921 acres of forestland from Weyerhaeuser that is critical to protecting this historical corridor. The Fund agreed to hold the land until more than $5 million in federal funding could be secured. The land has now been transferred to the National Park Service’s Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

Astoria Continues Work on Youngs Bay Site

Astoria has undergone a six-month planning and visioning process for the Youngs Bay site, owned by PacifiCorp, the first step in revitalizing Astoria’s South Slope. But now the consulting team has decided not to develop that eight-acre site first because of an important power substation located nearby. Instead, the consultants are proposing developing 30-40 acres on the south side of West Marine Drive, to be called the "Youngs Bay Waterfront District." The plan would take 10-20 years to complete. The plan could include a mixed-use housing development with 400-500 housing units, including both upscale condominiums, small single-family homes and housing units above retail or office space. 40,000 feet of retail space would be included. The consultants plan to prepare a draft master plan of the District, and present it to the public at a town hall meeting this spring, with Planning Commission and City Council approval targeted for summer.

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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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