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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, May 6, 2010 Page 13 Citizens participate in review of Urban Growth Boundary choices The citizens of the City of Banks were lead in a communi- ty exercise at a Community Ur- ban Growth Boundary (UGB) Review meeting, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on April 29, in the Banks Elementary School cafe- teria The purpose of the meet- ing was to review UGB zoning alternatives. Michael Hoffmann, a Con- sultant from CH2M Hill gave a brief presentation prior to guid- ing the audience through an in- teractive community activity. In 2004 the City of Banks de- veloped a 20 year population forecast. According to that fore- cast, a residential land use analysis and an employment land needs analysis were con- ducted. Based on those data, an UGB expansion analysis was conducted in 2009, coming up with a total of 248 acres needed for that expansion. The City of Banks council approved a preferred UGB ex- pansion alternative and the cre- ation of a draft zoning map has been completed. Hoffmann made it clear that this is not the “formal” map. Using the information provid- ed for the expansion project with the analysis completed, the city would need 57.1 acres of low density single family homes (6 units/acre); 57 acres single family homes (8 units/acre), 25.9 acres of high density single family homes (10 units/acre), 6.1 acres of multi- family homes (17 units/acre); 24 acres high density multi- family homes (24 units/acre); 6.1 acres of mixed use residen- tial-commercial (10 units/acre); New yellow arrows may confuse drivers Washington County’s De- partment of Land Use and Transportation is supervising the installation of 372 bimodal Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA’s) at 174 key intersections in the county. A new, short video has been posted on the county’s website at http://www.youtube. com/WashingtonCntyOregon. It takes viewers inside a mov- ing vehicle to show what to look for from the driver’s point of view – oncoming traffic, pedes- trians, bikes, etc. Signal Construction Group, LLC of Woodburn is installing the bimodal flashing yellow ar- rows with funding provided by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). All work is scheduled to be completed by June 30, at a to- tal project cost of $485,000. Engineer Stacy Shetler ex- plained that the video should help drivers use FYAs safely. “If you are waiting to turn left,” Stacy explained, “and you see a flashing yellow left-turn arrow, it means turns are per- mitted, but first you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedes- trians. Before entering the in- tersection, look left and look straight ahead. Is there any on- coming traffic? Any pedestri- 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 ans? Any bicyclists?? If not, be cautious, go ahead and make your left turn. After it flashes, the flashing yellow left-turn ar- row then becomes the better- known steady yellow left-turn arrow. The steady yellow left- turn arrow means what it has always meant: stop, if you can do so safely.” County Traffic Engineer Tom Tushner says, “The ARRA funds, which are part of the fed- eral economic stimulus pro- gram, that were used for this project made it possible for the County to accelerate the instal- lation of FYAs, improving the flow and reducing the delay at traffic signals in Washington County.” For more information, see luttraffic@co.washington.or.us Council gives street lights to PGE From page 12 ed to the Banks Budget Com- mittee. Council approved ownership transfer of Option B Street lights to Portland General Elec- tric. PGE has offered to pur- chase the streetlights owned by the city and assume owner- ship of all streetlights in Banks. The increased cost of operat- ing streetlights in Banks under PGE’s proposed plan would be 793.10 per month. Councilors Brian Biehl and Christy Greagor were appoint- ed to a subcommittee for the city manager performance re- view. The next city council meet- ing will be at Banks City Hall on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. 12 acres of commercial and 81.6 acres of industrial land. After the presentation, the audience was provided with a preferred zoning map, a blank UGB zoning map and cut-outs of zoning districts. The activity was like putting together a jig- saw puzzle of your preferred City of Banks. The audience worked in small groups to de- sign each group’s dream ex- pansion project. Upon comple- tion of the exercise, a spokes- person from each group gave a presentation on their layout. There was a lot of positive en- ergy as each group discussed why and how they came up with their decisions on the fu- ture expansion project. Citizens are urged to get in- volved in upcoming opportuni- ties. Forms are available at City Hall for public comment, or comments can be made at the city web site http://www.cityof banks.org/. A joint Planning Commission/City Council meet- ing will be held Monday, May 10 and citizens are urged to participate. Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Receive $2 off any large Pizza. $ 2 Off 00 Expires 4-31-10. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated. Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Receive $1 off any medium Pizza. $1 Off 00 Expires 5-31-10. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated. We have everything you need to make Mom Breakfast in Bed or a Special Mother’s Day Dinner. We also have Flowers & Hanging Baskets Friends of the Banks Public Library Annual Plant and Book Sale Fri, May 7 th 3 pm - 7 pm Sat, May 8 th 9 am - 3 pm Get a gift for Mom! Featuring Crafts & Garden Art, Herbs, Vegetables starts, Planters, Annuals, Perennials, and Trees, from Local Artists, Nurseries & Gardeners And of course Books Galore. Banks Public Library 111 Market St., Banks 503-324-1382 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171