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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 2016)
NOVEMBER 18, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 Planning commission backs UGB expansion Approval would pave way for third bridge By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes The urban growth bound- ary (UGB) that contains sprawl in the Salem-Keizer area might be expanding, but not in a way that many in Keizer have pushed for. The Keizer Planning Com- mission recommended ap- proving an expansion of UGB to accommodate a new bridge across the Willamette River, known as the Salem River Crossing, at its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 9. Planning commissioners forwarded a recommendation to approve the UGB expansion with a 6-1 vote. Commissioner Michael DeBlasi opposed. If the plan gains approval from Salem, Keizer, Marion County and Polk County, the new bridge would span the Willamette River at Hickory and Pine streets in north Sa- lem. The plans call for the an- nexation of 32 acres into the UGB to make way for the bridge and other connecting roads on the west side of the Willamette River. In discussing the issue at the Keizer Planning Commis- sion level, commissioners ad- mate change, accidents and vocated for a long-term view then costs of loss of revenue on lands to accommodate the of growth in the area. “You’re building a bridge cars,” he said. “Why not look for infrastructure needed 20 at ways to squeeze all the ef- years from now,” said Com- fi ciency out of the use of the missioner Hersch Sangster. land before we decide to ap- “It’s not so much personal prove the expansion and then travel or commuters, it’s truck build a bridge?” He also took issue with a traffi c.” The bridge would create Keizer city staff report, which a pathway for traffi c to travel sugested that the bridge would across the River with relative improve employment pros- ease from the Salem-Keizer pects and livability in the local area. Parkway. “That seems like a giant Commissioners and the Keizer City Council attended leap,” DeBlasi said. “The staff comment was a special meeting last month that brought together all of intended to convey that a far- the affected jurisdictions and reaching discussion had taken place, more invited pub- than editori- lic comment. alizing,” said More than 60 Nate Brown, people testi- Keizer’s com- fi ed during the munity de- public hearing velopment portion of the director, and meeting. preparer of the Commis- staff report. sioner Jim Jacks Commis- said that while sioner Jerry there was lots Crane, a local of testimony caterer, said he regarding the plans for extra impact of the — Hersch Sangster time whenever bridge con- he has to cross struction, the the existing issue at hand Marion Street bridge for a job, was the UGB expansion. “If we recommend that the which was one factor in his UGB be expanded tonight, it support of the plan. However, will probably be 10, 20 or even he said he was most moved 30 years before (a bridge) gets by testimony from a west Sa- funded. If we don’t do some- lem resident during the special thing now, it’s going to be 40 meeting last month. “He told us that his daugh- or 50 years from now,” Jacks ter had severe asthma and she said. Despite opposing the plan, could die if there was a prob- DeBlasi said he understood lem at the existing bridge,” the need for a bridge, but that Crane said. The commissioners’ recom- the other costs associated with mendation will now go to the it needed to be considered. “We’re going to allow peo- Keizer City Council, which ple to drive as much as they will make the fi nal decision want and externalize the cost regarding the city’s support on in terms of cost of roads, cli- the matter. “You’re building a bridge for infrastructure needed 20 years from now” Give your home the Encore Treatment W INDOWS & D OORS [S HOWER D OORS ] M IRRORS & S KYLIGHTS C USTOM T ABLE T OPS VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 1450 Front St - Salem 503958192559 www9encoreglass9co Encore Glass CCB #196078 Deals, deals, deals KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald Vendor Braunda Gilchrist talks with customer Linda Bishop at the 5th Annual McNary High School Holiday Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 12. obituaries Submit an obituary through our website at keizertimes.com or send an email to: editor@keizertimes.com Neal J. Bigger December 13, 1939 — November 11, 2016 Neal John Bigger passed away on Nov. 11 at the age of 76. He was born in Helena, Mont. but spent most of his early life in Anchorage, Alas- ka, with his parents William and Dorothy. Neal was married, and raised his family in Salinas, Cal., moving to Keizer, Ore. in 1979. He worked as a civil engineer for 30 years. He retired from work with the City of Salem and happily spent the rest of his years. Neal was and always will be, remembered for his de- votion to family, his gentle- ness, thoughtful ways, and joyful laugh. He had many interests and hobbles, such as fi shing, bowling, dancing, and breeding tropical fi sh. An avid reader, he could always be found with a book in his back pocket. Neal is survived by his lov- ing wife Roberta, four chil- dren: Debra Coder, Sandra (Thomas II) Ayers, Brent (Carla), and Charlotte Bigger; one stepson Guy N. Bigger Gourneau; eight grand- children; 10 great-grandchil- dren; and two sisters Sandra Dodgson and Kathleen Sar- zotti. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 40 years, Nita. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sat, Nov. 19, 2016 at Restlawn Cemetery. Empty Bowls on sale at WAC Sat.-Sun. Empty Bowls, the an- nual pottery event to sup- port hunger relief, will take place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20, at Willamette Art Center. More than 1,200 handcrafted pottery pieces are on sale to the public, and all proceeds will go to Marion- Polk Food Share. More than 20 local artisans spend all year preparing the event. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours are noon until 4 p.m. while supplies last. Willamette Art Center is located on the Oregon State Fairgrounds through the yel- low gate off Silverton Road in Salem. Willamette Art Center will be accepting donations of non-perishable food during and continuing through their holiday sale on Dec. 3 and 4.
