Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2016)
SINCE 1979 • VOLUME 38, NO. 27 SECTION A JUNE 17, 2016 By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes Food trucks will be coming to town if the Keizer City Council ap- proves a recommendation that passed the city’s planning commission last week. Commissioners engaged in a mara- thon three-hour meeting Wednesday, June 8, that included discussion of issues related to permitting, signage, hours of operation, and what would constitute a “pod,” or cluster of food trucks, which triggers another set of regulations. “This is the kind of use that can create a lot of problems. But I think what we are going to pass is good stuff, and we’re not taking too much of a mother-may-I giant step that would get us into trouble,” said Com- missioner Jim Jacks. Before taking affect, the Keizer City Council will need to approve the $1.00 recommendation – and hold a pub- lic hearing – which may not happen until late July or August, said City At- torney Shannon Johnson. Currently, a mobile food vendor can only operate in the city for up to a 90 days in any one year period. Commissioners were able to clear up some matters speedily. They agreed with city staff recommendations that: any non-permanent truck, van, or trailer that has been outfi tted to to prepare and serve food would be con- sidered a “mobile food vendor;” ven- dors would be issued annual permits without any limits on the number of days of operation; vendors must op- erate on hard-surface areas that meet off-street parking requirements; the Please see TRUCKS, Page A2 Discrimination complaint filed against city PAGE A3 PULP FUSION Food truck facts Pending Keizer City Council approval in the coming months, food trucks will be able to operate in city limits. Vendors will be limited to properties zoned for commercial mixed use — primarily River Road North and Cherry Avenue Northeast. JACK RABBIT SLIM ROYALE WITH PEAS 24 OZ 32 OZ PULP FUSION 24 OZ 32 OZ HOME OF THE $5 SMOOTHIE Class of 2016 KETCHUP ON DEMAND PAGE A5 A group of more than two trucks is called a… mango unchained food drink candied mangoes 3 for $5 THE HATEFUL PLATE FOOD DAILY STEW SPECIAL DRINK THE HATEFUL PLATE BOWL – $5 CUP – $3 PULP FUSION ROYALE WITH PEAS 24 OZ 32 OZ JACK RABBIT SLIM PULP FUSION 24 OZ 32 OZ HOME OF THE $5 SMOOTHIE KETCHUP ON DEMAND KFD adds shift commanders if budget gets OK pod pod requirements Any time more than two vendors set down stakes on a single piece of property, it will become known as a pod. In addition to all the standard requirements for operation, pods must have a covered dining area that can withstand the elements. Dining structures will need to adhere to all applicable building codes, e.g. no pole barns. Signs of the Times PAGE A8 Signage was the hottest topic of the planning commissioners' debates before voting on the food truck proposal. Under the proposal, vendors may have unlimited signage on their trucks, and will be permitted to have a sandwich-board sign up during hours of operation. The code is slightly different for brick-and-mortars. EDITORIAL DESIGN/Andrew Jackson Big goals on the board at McNary By TIM HAYS place,” Jespersen said. “It is Of the Keizertimes going to be a world class A world class high gymnasium.” school. That is the goal Another athletic de- for McNary velopment that Principal Erik is important to Jespersen. Jespersen are the Where does softball dugouts. he plan to begin? Alongside the Well, he’s already booster club, Jes- started. persen hopes to With support begin building of the McNary the new softball E. Jespersen Athletic Booster dugouts in the Club, the spring of 2017. turf football fi eld was It wouldn’t be world completed last fall and class without an academic Jespersen is back at it again. pursuit of excellence. With the summer For the upcoming fall, approaching quick, he is Nike has agreed to grant getting started as soon as McNary with a $20,000 possible with the makeover sponsorship. With that of the high school gym, grant, Jespersen and his and plans include more staff are currently working than just the fl oor. with a company to remake “We are going to be the space of the College painting the walls and and Career Center. really brightening up the Please see GOALS, Page A9 What makes a world class high school? McNary High School Principal Erik Jespersen is setting high standards for the Celtic students, faculty and staff. This is his six-point goal list: 1. We will strive to outperform all oth- ers in academic, athletic, and extra-cur- ricular opportunities and experiences for our students. 2. We will focus on improving our pro- fessional practices and seek new ways to innovate. 3. We will invest in our staff and provide a great working environment. 4. We will forge great partnerships with the community of Keizer. 5. We will build on the strengths of oth- ers and promote talent upward within our building and school district. 6. We will celebrate our successes to- gether and own our defi cits together as a team. Cow pasture redo hits city council agenda By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes The Keizer City Council will be taking another look at potential plans for the Herber family, aka the cow pasture, at its meeting Monday, June 20. The site is located between Chemawa Road North- east and Dearborn Avenue Northeast on the west side of Verda Lane Northeast. Councilors unanimously rejected a proposal that called for converting the land into three-story apartment complexes with 120 units in October 2015. The need for single family residences, impacts on nearby residences and transportation impacts were all cited as grounds for the denial. The new proposal calls for 112 apartment units in complexes that will look like two-story, single-family residences from Verda Lane Northeast. The units will look like traditional apartments when viewed from Claggett Creek Park. “The reduction in the number of units, together with the redesign of the exterior of the buildings do not suggest there are even 112 units in the project,” suggests a letter to the city prepared by attorney Wallace Lien on behalf of the owners, Herber Farm, LLC. Allowing apartments on the site would require a change in zoning from the current low denisty residential to medium high density residential. Under the current zoning, up to 60 single family units could be constructed on the 7.5-acre site. Please see HERBER, Page A9 Gym’s open for the summer PAGE A12