The INDEPENDENT, January 21, 2010 Page 13 Fowler newest Banks councilor Banks new councilor, Rob Fowler, was sworn in as the first order of business at the Wednesday, January 13, meet- ing of the city council. After re- ceiving congratulatory hand- shakes from the other coun- cilors and applause from the audience, Fowler took his place at council table. The meeting was well at- tended, with the audience out- numbering available seats. Most of the audience attended to hear a land use presentation by attorney Phillip Grille, who was representing Jim Craw- ford, a rural property owner in the Zone 3 study area of the city’s proposed Urban Growth Boundry (UGB). [Zone 3 is west of Hwy. 47, starting on the south side of Sunset Park and continuing beyond Hwy. 6.] Grille focused on the criteria and issues of efficient accom- modation of identified needs for all four zones in the study area, including public facilities and services; comparative environ- mental, energy, economic, and social consequences; and compatibility with agricultural and forest activities outside the UGB. He concluded with his client’s position, making it clear that this was a process to begin discussions. The analysis presented by Grille rated Zone 3 as the “most suitable” future development area with its easy access to Hwy 6, it could serve as a gate- way to the City of Banks, and would promote efficient use of vital transportation, directly ad- jacent to the largest area of ex- ception lands to be designated as employment lands; future traffic would be distributed more evenly throughout the Banks area; access to new em- ployment areas in Zone 4 would be more convenient, and transportation upgrades to the on-off ramp to Hwy. 6 could be funded by available system de- velopment charges (SDCs) S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES 2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE S UCTION H OSES A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2” A MERICAN & M ETRIC F ITTINGS B ULK O IL P RODUCTS 276 S UNSET , B ANKS 503-324-9808 The presentation graded Zones 1 and 4 as “mostly suit- able” for development, but with significant problems. Zone 1 would negatively affect traffic congestion in old town Banks, and future development would increase the chance of conflicts with Sunset Park and, possibly, the speedway. Zone 1 would also allow safe access to shop- ping and schools; the land is flat; and has 28 acres of devel- opable lands. Zone 4 negatives include realigning Wilkesboro Road further south to allow for more separation from the exit/entrance ramp on Hwy 6 and lands included for a re- alignment of Wilkesboro Road contain a small stream and as- sociated wetlands, additionally, future residential lands in the zone, that are north of Hwy 6, would not have convenient ac- cess to Main Street without a direct connection across the railroad tracks. The positive as- pects of Zone 4 are that an em- ployment area south of Hwy 6 would allow for easy access, and commercial lands in the zone would promote a compact growth pattern. Zone 2 was graded as ‘un- suitable’ in all criteria areas for development. This zone would negatively create an overre- liance on Main Street; the up- grades or improvements to ru- ral roads serving east Banks may be cost prohibitive as Banks Road is hilly with poor sight distance, the stop sign controlled intersections along NW Banks Road, NW Aerts Each of the pennants made as part of “The Banks Beautification Pennant Project” was shown on the cake made to celebrate the project’s completion. Leadership group completes project A group in Banks has cele- brated the completion of a proj- ect they undertook as part of a leadership training program. The project was entitled “The Banks Beautification Pen- nant Project” and the results can be seen in colorful pen- nants hung along Main Street. The group celebrated, and made a presentation to the City of Banks and the Banks Cham- ber of Commerce, on Saturday, January 16. The leadership class includ- ed JoLynn Becker, Tyler Bir- man, Katherine Burgesser, Dan Dethlefs, Kathy Edison, Sam Edison, Christine Fore, Christy Greagor, Sue Hauser, Tiara Herr, Allan Polendey, Janice Randolph, Bill Schlegel, Kelsey Taylor, Mark Ward, and Debra Wyckoff. The leadership pro- gram was through the Ford Family Institute. The class came up with the project, raised funds, found sponsors for each of the 24 pennants, solicited help from other community members (and friends), and then completed the beautification project. Road, Hwy. 47 and Hwy. 6 would need to support a great deal of traffic, the widening of Main Street to alleviate the traf- fic congestion is not possible, and future residential develop- See New flag on page 14 Banks Christian Academy Now Enrolling for 2009 - 2010 Affordable Tuition for an Excellent Education Established since 1983 Let us take care of your Super Bowl Party needs. You can get all the Snacks, beverages and other necessitys right off our shelfs or have our Deli prepare your feast from a variety of foods including meats, cheese, salads and desserts Challenging academics, Christian values and small class sizes. • Preschool thru 12th Grade • Before & After School Care • Languages, Music, Art & Computers • 3 or 5 Full Day Kindergarten • Many Educational Field Trips • Transportation Vernonia/Banks 22785 NW Fisher Rd. Buxton 97109 503-324-4500 www.bankschristianacademy.org 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171