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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2016)
6A • December 16, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com What will parks, trails look like? Cannon Beach to draft the master plan By Lyra Fontaine Cannon Beach Gazette An improved dory boat launching in Tolovana, a re- stroom near Haystack Rock and safer transit options for walkers and bikers are among the proposed projects that could be part of Cannon Beach’s first parks and trails master plan. After gathering input from residents, a citizens advisory group and the Public Works Department, park plan- ners will draft the master plan by the end of December. After review by the advisory group, the draft could come to the City Council in February. At an open house last week, residents carefully looked at maps displaying po- tential plans for future parks and trails. They spoke to park planners and city employees, marked ideas on the maps and placed stickers by proposed projects they considered im- portant. “We’ve narrowed things down,” said Kirk Anderson, LYRA FONTAINE/CANNON BEACH GAZETTET Options were presented at the city’s parks and trails master plan open house. a city public works employee who is involved in the plan- ning process. “Prioritizing is one more big step.” Otak planner Mandy Flett said identifying priorities ear- ly on could help the city meet deadlines and receive funding for projects. There are no cost estimates yet. Trail projects marked as high priority included a bike and pedestrian route west of Hemlock Street along Pacific, a path under the bridge at Ecola Creek Park and a trail from Elk Run Park to Hemlock Street. Possible park projects are canoe and kayak launches at Les Shirley Park, Ecola Creek Park and Oxbow and Second Street. Other ideas included NeCus’ Park improvements that respect the site’s Native American heritage, a bridge below the water-treatment plant to complete the loop, and a better boat ramp for dory launching at Tolovana State Park, with accompany- ing wheelchair access to wet sand. Many of the projects can be completed in one to five years, while others could take up to 10 years. City parks provide oppor- tunities for interpretive signs on ecology, history, water treatment, archaeology and tsunami preparation, accord- ing to the master plan infor- mation. Though not considered a No. 1 priority, a potential plan for a multiuse path parallel to U.S. Highway 101 could connect Tolovana to mid- town. The trail would provide a safer and less hilly route for pedestrians and cyclists, separate from traffic on the S-curves. Another possible project could be converting Tolovana State Park to city ownership, moving its aging restrooms by the beach and making further enhancements. Tolovana State Park “could be a gem for the city,” Otak senior planner Glen Bo- len said. “The journey to the beach could be a journey, not just a parking lot.” A small bathroom near the bottom of the stairs leading to Haystack Rock is another pos- sible project that could benefit Haystack Rock Awareness Program volunteers and visi- tors, Bolen said. Council also approves repeal of moratorium on medical marijuana committee that brought the opt-out initiative to the city. The council also approved Marijuana retailers will need to meet the city’s zoning a repeal of the city’s morato- requirements and have Ore- rium on medical marijuana gon Liquor Control Commis- dispensaries at its December sion approval before the city meeting. The moratorium signs the business license, served as a placeholder for according to City Planner local jurisdictions to pass lo- Mark Barnes. Review by the cal time, place and manner Design Review Board will restrictions on medical mari- be required if the applicant’s juana dispensaries. The mor- building needs any exterior atorium expired in 2014 and alterations or if the retailer staff recommended its repeal to clean up city constructs a new building. Sign In November, code. The City permits will also voters shot Council adopted be needed. In Novem- down a ban on an ordinance in July with time, ber, slight- recreational place and man- ly more than half of Cannon marijuana by ner restrictions Beach voters only nine votes. for medical and recreational chose not to marijuana busi- prohibit recre- ational marijuana producers, nesses. Cannabis shops will processors, wholesalers and be allowed in three commer- retailers in Cannon Beach. cial zones: downtown from The difference between those Ecola Creek south to Wash- who voted “yes” and “no” ington Street, midtown from Harrison Street south to El- was nine votes. The question was put out liot Way, and Tolovana Park to voters as a result of a cit- from Delta Street south to the izen initiative. Resident Jere- northern boundary of Sand my Randolph was head of the Castle Condominiums. Pot from Page 1A Housing from Page 1A The homes would be available for those who make about 70 to 100 per- cent of the area’s median income. Before purchasing the manufactured homes, the city would have to amend the budget or wait until the new fiscal year in July, Barnes said. Other decisions — management, rent costs, the process of screening applicants, the homes’ lo- cation within the RV Resort and more — have yet to be made. Another potential devel- opment could take place at the former children’s center site in Tolovana. “If City Council agrees to move forward with the development proposals de- scribed, additional analysis, discussion and planning will be needed to move forward thoughtfully with an imple- mentation plan,” the report stated. “I think we’re fortunate to have city-owned property that gives us the opportuni- ty to develop projects like this,” Councilor Mike Bene- field said. “Most cities don’t, and they’re struggling.” Code amendment recom- mendations include ensur- ing that city fees, accessory dwelling units and multifam- ily housing encourage the development of affordable, long-term rentals. Another option the city could pursue, the report stated, is limiting the growth of short-term rentals through a combi- nation of capping permits, neighborhood-specific regu- lations and enforcement. Location concerns Some who reside by the RV Resort on Elk Land Road and Haskell Lane have concerns about the plan to add park model homes. “Protecting property val- ues will be directly related to the increased amount of peo- ple, traffic flow and types of FILE PHOTO Starting Jan. 6, a medical or recreational marijuana facility can be licensed to operate only within the limited commer- cial zones in downtown, midtown and Tolovana Park. buildings erected,” Rick Hudson and Laurie Hudson wrote in a letter to the city. “We purchased our home because of its location, its seclusion and its quiet cor- ner of Cannon Beach.” Resident Jan Sie- bert-Wahrmund said al- though she has concerns about the potential locations for housing recommended by the report, she will “try to keep an open mind.” Councilor George Vetter expressed concerns about “diminishing” the RV park’s value. Barnes said he would provide an analysis on the financial impact the park models could have on the RV Resort. “We live in a beautiful place,” Vetter said. “Peo- ple are willing to pay a lot of money for property. If we build something or put something up within the area of where these people want to be, the pressure is always there.” He said if affordable housing were placed on the edge or outside the city, “the pressure” would not be there. The task force is not looking to place afford- able housing in “an area set aside that’s less than equal to anyplace else in our city limits,” Councilor Melis- sa Cadwallader said. “As a fellow councilor, I find your comments about, ‘we should be looking at less favorable property to be used,’ to not be a good starting point for developing what this task force hoped to develop.” The appointed task force included Duane Johnson of Duane Johnson Real Estate; Todd Johnston, Northwest Oregon Housing Authori- ty executive director; Ken McQuhae, retired engineer and resident; Dave Norstedt, Martin Hospitality vice pres- ident of operations; Brandon Ogilvie, a local contractor; Sheri Russell, Columbia Bank branch manager; City Manager Brant Kucera; and council liaison Cadwallader. Dining on the North Coast PIG ‘N PANCAKE 223 S Hemlock 503-436-2851 7AM - 3PM Daily ROBERT CAIN LD, 45 Years of Experience TWO LOCATIONS SEASIDE & HILLSBORO City unanimously adopts housing plan 239 N. 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