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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2017)
PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 REVAMP, continued from Page A1 told the city the matter was a “deal-breaker.” The city had no way to force the issue and that is what Brown wants to correct. “We feel it's important that these businesses should consider their community impact and raise the level of improvements for the community as a whole,” Brown said. The public hearing on the issue will continue in the council's Sept. 5 meeting while more information is collected. Under the amendment, the city could require commercial developments to commit 1 percent of the overall costs of development or remodeling to the creation of “on-site public amenities such as street benches, water features or art.” In lieu of including the amenities on-site, developers could also choose to pay the 1 percent into a fund for public art. Commercial properties include multi- family developments and the amenities could also include small open spaces or plazas. The issue was discussed at length during a Keizer Planning Commission meeting and recommended to the council for approval, but Mayor Cathy Clark balked at the inclusion of art in the scope of amenity possibilities. While the city's Public Art Committee was established to take content decisions out of the hands of the city council, Clark wondered what oversight the city would have regarding objects considered art. “Our only role would be to say whether it meets the amenity requirement and the dollar amount,” Brown replied. He added that if a business attempted to place “art” with business messages embedded in it, the piece would fall under the signage code and would be subject to different regulations. “Probably 99 percent of businesses would make proper choices,” Clark said, but it's the “quirky notion” that would fall into the gray area and cause her concern. Brown countered that a business could install art right now with no oversight as long as it didn't constitute signage. “My concern is that we initiate something that may need to be thought through a little more,” Clark said. “When you allow people to make their own choices there is a risk, but we also want to foster a relationship of working together with businesses. We have left fl exibility in this concept, but we are sending a message that businesses are part of this community and not just locating a business here to operate a business,” Brown said. Regardless of what the council decides regarding the art option, developers could appeal any decision to a hearings offi cer and the offi cer's decision could be appealed directly to the city council. While the council did not reach the point of deliberation on the amendment, Councilor Bruce Anderson said he would rather see the city take a different approach, “I would appreciate us looking into is a way to get (developers) to do it voluntarily. I would rather see this as an encouragement than as a mandate. I'm also concerned about how this will impact housing costs,” Anderson said. PARKS, continued from Page A1 specifi cs of the parks board agenda, but every meeting includes the opportunity for public testimony. Lawyer also said there might be a second meeting for public input later in September. When the parks board sur- veyed residents about their pri- orities for the parks, numerous maintenance projects took pri- ority over the most-wished-for new amenity. “Safety is the No. 1 concern and it's important to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars, but I think that there is a good expectation that new projects might be possible in the fi rst 12 to 24 months,” Lawyer said. factor into the money it can Lawyer also hoped to reig- spend. The city collects SDCs on nite a matching grant program that has attracted improve- new developments to offset ments to Keizer parks with impacts to infrastructure and residents putting up money pay for improvements. The catch is that and donations the majority of time that of the money are matched by the city has city funds. collected in There are SDCs, ap- two other is- sues the board — Matt Lawyer proximately will have to Keizer Parks Board $800,000, can wrestle with member only be used to fund 13.6 in coming up percent of with a plan for using fee funds. The existing any new project. That means Parks Master Plan was crafted on a $100,000 park amenity, in 2008, but times and priori- the city has to pay for $86,400 ties have changed in the inter- of the cost from other sources. The Sept. 12 meeting of the im. Board members will also have to fi gure out how system parks board begins at 6 p.m. at development charges (SDCs) the Keizer Civic Center. “Safety is the No. 1 concern.” UPGRADE: Effort will likely save city thousands (Continued from Page A1) chip removal, Saturday, Sept. 9. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Gloves and hats are also recommended. If you have pitchforks, grain/scoop shovels or wheelbarrows to lend to the effort those are also appreciated. At a city meeting last month, Keizer Public Works Director Bill Lawyer said compaction was going to be one of the most diffi cult aspects of the removal, but the city is bringing in tools to loosen the chips before they are carted away. Kohler has also enlisted Douglas Shepherd’s Dirt Work to aid in the effort. Taking on such a large project is a continuance of work for the Keizer Stake. Each year for the past several years, congregants have directed a day of service to large efforts in nearby communities. “We've found that it's fostered good relations with our community,” Kohler said. “This is a community effort, not just a Mormon effort. We want to work side-by-side by the community.” The city, of course, is grateful for any help it can get. “This means a lot, it saves money and it saves resources. Having a large group step PALS: New leaders taking fresh approaches (Continued from Page A3) “I would hope that, rather you talk to kids or families or teachers or staff, that I’m a good listener, that I take time to listen to people and I look for the best in kids and the best in people in general,” Lund said. “I think it’s a good place to start when you’re trying to solve problems. I think I’m a good advocate for both, for kids and for families and teach- ers, too.” Lund is working on her Spanish. Her daughter, a sixth grader at Waldo, is bi-lingual. “I took Spanish in college and I’ve taken classes since,” Lund said. “I’ve always valued knowing another language, I’ve never gotten over the hump of learning one myself but this is my challenge.” Lund also wants to look at more ways to reach out to families other than traditional parent-teacher conferences at the school. “Inviting people to a school for a conference isn’t always the most comfortable for fami- lies so one of the things that I’d like to look into more is how do we make families feel more comfortable and going to them and developing rela- tionships with people,” Lund said. “Setting up a home visit program so that we can go and visit with families and go where they feel comfortable, just because we want to get to know them, not because we’re having a problem. That’s some- thing I would like to do more.” forward and take on a project like this will save the city thousands of dollars,” Lawyer said. The Big Toy will be closed for about fi ve weeks after the Labor Day weekend to accommodate the removal of the chips and installation of the pour-in-place surface. The timeline may change depending on weather. The chips removed from the Big Toy site will be used in other Keizer parks. What’s my home worth in today’s market? TALK TO BOB Keizerts go-to Realtor with over 16 years in the real estate & mortgage lending industry Call or Text 503-983-4086 3975 River Rd N Suite 3 - Keizer bobshack 1 @gmail.com BOB SHACKELFORD, Broker 2016 K EIZER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MERCHANT OF THE YEAR Bob Shackelford is a licensed real estate broker in Oregon. KEIZER ROTARY AMPHITHEATER AT KEIZER RAPIDS PARK FREE 2017 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES JFK Saturday, Sept 9 GATES SHOW OPEN STARTS 5:00 pm 6:30 pm SUBSCRIBE CALL 503-390-1051 For complete concert schedule go to kraorg.com Please no outside food or beverages. No pets allowed insde the amphitheater. 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