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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2005)
Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, July 7, 2005 Banks City Council holds hearings, appoints new commissioner Banks city council met June 14 with the longest agenda in the last five years, including two public hearings, the first for a proposed plan amendment and the second on a violation of city code at the apartments located at Parmley and Wilkes. Before the proposed plan amendment hearing, the coun cil heard from David Helton, of EcoNorthwest a firm retained by city planner K.J. Won, com pleted a detailed analysis of economic opportunities and IS tmssel ’ s Aura R ow & H ydraulic H oses 2-4-6 S piral W ire F lange H ead • S uction H oses A daptors - 3/16” to 2” B ulk O il P roducts 276S wsi 8 m 6 503324-9808 SU N SET LAUNDRY Wash.. 41-00 D ry...250 180 S. Main St. Banks, Oregon presented the recommended strategies identified in the com According to Helton’s report, strategy for the city. Most of the prehensive plan approved by the primary financial incentive funding for the comprehensive LCDC. Banks has a compara for business to locate in Banks plan review is provided by a tive advantage over other small should be available land, series of technical assistance towns in Oregon because it affordable public services, low grants Won has obtained from retains a small town atmos permit and development fees the Oregon Department of phere, is close to the metropol and a simple development Land Conservation and itan area but outside the metro approval process. During the public hearing fol Development (LCDC). This politan UGB. In addition to determining lowing Helton’s report, Franklin amendment is part of a two- year work program to update the need for land, the analysis Smith accused council mem the entire comprehensive plan, also attempts to predict the bers of “trying to make [Banks] developed in 1988, for the next need for jobs. Though difficult the rat race you moved away 20 to 25 years. A previous to compare urban growth rates from”. Mayor Mike Lyda said amendment in 2004 set the to rural areas, Helton told coun that the plan covers the next population forecast at 3,739 in cil that growth would be at a twenty years of development slower rate than in the sur and pointed out that any land 2024. The existing economic goal rounding metro area. Using a that the city includes inside the “to provide for the economic growth rate of 5 - 6 %, he pre UBG is that much less land for Washington diversification and stability” of dicted the need for 860 to 1170 available Banks with the objective of jobs: 320-430 commercial, 320- County. He said the city would achieving a balance between 430 industrial and 410-540 in have “more control over our commercial and industrial community facilities (primarily destiny than if we leave it alone.” opportunities, sustainable education and government). The council then went into Helton told council that the growth and local employment opportunities remains in place. city had a deficit of land that the violation of code at the However, the previous invento would allow for employment apartments at Parmley and ry of industrial land overstated growth. Using standard formu Wilkes. The city had not acreage and is further reduced las, he determined that the city received a reply to a letter noti by the presence of wetlands. would need to add approxi fying the landowner about the The strategy identified in the mately 100 acres of commer- hearing nor did the owner recommendation is to increase cial/industrial land for future appear at the hearing. Marshal the supply of buildable com development, including about Decker, Washington County 15 acres for schools. After code enforcement officer, told mercial and industrial land. Helton told council that the explaining various factors council in April that the property adoption of a strategy is impor affecting economic growth, was identified as an attractive tant because any action taken Helton told council government nuisance due to an open unoc by council, such as changing can influence growth by desig cupied apartment and unse zoning or amending the urban nating land for development, cured electrical wiring. Decker growth boundary (UGB), must providing adequate infrastruc ordered that the uncovered be consistent with goals and ture, and maintaining good wiring be disconnected and the building secured. The power quality of life. In conclusion, Helton told was disconnected and the door council that the next steps are secured briefly. However, the lock was quickly an analysis of housing needs flimsy and a study of potential sites for removed and the building is inclusion into the Banks UGB. open again according to Bar-B-B Dinners include: Potato Salad, BBQ Baked Beans & a Dinner Roll. 1/2 BBQ Chicken Dinner................... $6.00 Beef Rib Dinner (1/2 Rack).............. $6.00 Pork Rib Dinner (1/3 Rack).............. $8.00 1/2 BBQ Chicken................................ $5.00 1/2 Beef Ribs......................................$5.00 Full Rack Beef Ribs......................... $10.00 1/3 Pork Ribs......................................$7.00 Full Rack Pork Ribs..........................$21.00 BANKS M IN I STORAGE Pay 1 Full Month and get 1 Full Month FREE* Deputy Jim Berning. The city has determined a nuisance at the apartments on at least three previous occa sions. In the past, the property has been brought into compli ance just before fines would be assessed. In March, property owners had not removed garbage and the city paid for the dumpster to be emptied. The city is pursuing a lien against the property to recover this expense. During the hearing, the Independent asked why the city had not moved forward with ordinance amendments that would allow the city to declare the site a chronic nuisance, allowing the city to impose additional remedies. Mayor Lyda responded that the city had been evaluating many Washington county ordinances for adoption by the city. However, review of county ordi nances has not been complet ed. Lyda said that the city did not want a blanket adoption of the Washington county code. Council unanimously deter mined that a nuisance exists at the apartments located at 263 Wilkes and 265 Parmley and directed city attorney Jim Lucas to send the property owner a detailed letter of the required abatement. Branstitre said that she would have a chronic nui sance ordinance prepared for a first reading at the July council meeting. Following the two hearing, council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agree ment with Washington County to provide law enforcement services. Currently the county provided two deputies working in the city 25 hours per week at a cost of $12,591 per month See page 16 Oak Village Laundromat 4 ¡um bo Washers Move in Truck Available Fridays & Saturdays 11 am to 6 pm Check us out and you'll want to check in! ★ Special available for new customers on 660 So. M ain, Banks • 503-324-2171 sizes up to 10 X 10, for a limited time only. Gates Operate Daily 7 AM - 9 PM Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10 A M -6 PM Sat 8 AM-Noon 140 E O a k W ay , B anks • 503-324-0552 Air-conditioned Easy Access with Ample Parking located next to Jim's Market at the junction of Hwy 47 & Hwy 6 Main Street, Banks
