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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2020)
Friday, February 21, 2020 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com • A3 It’s offi cial: 45 properties annexed in south Seaside By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal Meet your new neigh- bors. Residents of 45 prop- erties on the south end of town are now offi cial resi- dents of the city of Seaside. The third and fi nal read- ing of an ordinance annex- ing their property on east and west sides of U.S. Highway was unanimously adopted by City Council on Feb. 10. The annexation plan covers 45 properties on Avenue U to Avenue S, about two-thirds of those on the east side of U.S. High- way 101. “We all have to work together to get these things done and this is a big step forward,” Mayor Jay Bar- ber said. “The annexation of south Seaside is some- thing we’ve all been pas- sionate about because that is the welcoming corridor into our community.” A separate ordinance exemption allowing the existing Trucke’s RV Park to operate as it has before annexation also received a unanimous adoption. Driving the adoption of the annexation ordinance was the city’s longtime goal to eliminate “checkerboard zoning,” where neighboring parcels are served by differ- ent governments. Residents now under county jurisdiction would see an increase of about $1.80 per thousand of their home’s assessed value. Police service for non-emergencies would shift from the county sher- iff’s offi ce to the Seaside Police Department. Sewer, water and other infrastructure projects will be considered in coming months, Winstanley said. Any improvements or changes in the annexed area, however “are things that everyone who is annexed will have to pay attention to,” City Manager Mark Winstanley said. The most immedi- ate change, City Coun- cilor Tita Montero said, will be a decrease in water rates for annexed proper- ties, as they go from out-of- town customers to in-town customers. “We’re going to see improvements in that area as we come forward,” Bar- ber added. “It’s going to take time but we’ll get there. Change is diffi cult and it’s hard work, but it pays off.” City of Seaside Area of annexation in south Seaside. Activities director Grace Lee leaving Sunset Park and Rec District By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal Grayson Lee and mom Grace Lee. Lee announced her departure from the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District at the Chamber of Commerce morning meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Grace Lee is a big reason why “it’s easy to Seaside” — as manager of recreation and community programs at Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District, she programs and supervises sports leagues, fi tness pro- grams, the farmer’s market — even pickleball. Lee, who came to Sea- side in 2014 after serving as recreation leader for the City of Astoria Parks and Recreation Department, announced plans to leave the North Coast. Lee will serve as special events director with the city of Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Department, where she will help open a new rec center. Her takeaway from fi ve years in Seaside? “This was my fi rst full- time job in park and rec, and I got to do amazing things,” Lee said. “Plan awesome events, and do a lot of new recreation activ- ities. And all the people who partnered with me and made it possible — just awesome people to work with.” Members sought for Sunset Empire Park and Rec District budget committee Seaside Signal The Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District is seeking district residents interested in becoming a Budget Committee mem- ber for the 2020-21 fi scal year. The commitment is three hours per month (one meet- ing monthly) starting in April and ending with the budget adoption at the June meeting. Pick up an appli- cation at the front desk of the pool or at https:// www.sunsetempire.com/ board. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, to be eligible. Contact executive director, Skyler Archibald at 503-738-3311, ext. 103, or by email sarchibald@ sunsetempire.com. DINING on the NORTH COAST Great Restaurants in: GEARHART • SEASIDE CANNON BEACH WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE LOCALS GO? • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Junior Menu RESTAURANT & LOUNGE • Lighter appetite menu S R I L EY’ BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN! Historic photo of the Mill Ponds. Bringing art, accessibility to Mill Ponds trails By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal On Saturday, April 18, Seaside’s Parks Advisory Committee will host “Art in the Parks ... Naturally.” The event is designed to celebrate and raise funds for an ADA-compliant trail in the Seaside Mill Ponds Nat- ural History Park. The Mill Ponds at the south end of Seaside origi- nated early in the 20th cen- tury as rock borrow pits for construction of the Asto- ria airport; later the ponds became part of a lumber planing and shingle mill operation. After the mill burned down and the site’s new owner proposed a light industrial park at the site, the North Coast Land Conser- vancy began exploring the possibility of conserving the ponds, which are connected to Neawanna Creek and provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including migrating salmon. The conservancy acquired the site in 1999 and began extensive wetland restoration efforts. The Mill Ponds are now owned by the city of Seaside and managed for their natural values. According to Seaside Park Advisory Commit- tee’s chair Nancy Holmes, the 30.4-acre park will be more available to the pub- lic through ADA-compli- ant trails and parking area, allowing people with dis- abilities to access the trails for the fi rst time. Other fea- tures include interpretive public art, historical and nature interpretive signage in a peaceful water setting. The park is the anchor of the Necanicum Estuary His- tory Park, which goes from the Mill Pond to Neawa- nna Point at the north end of Seaside. In addition to a celebra- tion at the Mill Ponds, each of Seaside’s 12 city parks will be open for guided tours, maps and quizzes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Neca- nicum Watershed Council will be at Broadway Park on the Neawanna Creek. Committee members will present speakers, an art auction and plein air art- ists along the proposed trail, a barbecue and live music. The “Plant a Tree” campaign will be launched to combat climate change, as the com- mittee gives 2,020 trees that have been donated to the committee. “This will be a celebra- tion of our parks,” Holmes v Fish ‘n Chips • Burgers • Seafood & Steak Friday & Saturday - Prime Rib Lounge Open Daily 9-Midnight All Oregon Lottery products available 1104 S Holladay • 503-738-9701 • Open Daily at 8am Excellence in family dining found from a family that has been serving the North Coast for the past 52 years said. “Most people don’t know we have 14 parks in town. It’s a big celebration and we hope to do this every year.” Great Breakfast, but that’s not all... S ERVING C LATSOP AND N ORTH T ILLAMOOK C OUNTIES • Great lunch and dinner menu,too! • Great pasta, steaks & seafood! Seaside • 323 Broadway • 738-7234 (Open 7 Days) Cannon Beach • 223 S. Hemlock 436-2851 (7am-3pm Daily) Astoria • 146 W. 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