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| Online news for Grants Pass, Oregon | |
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The Council previously approved a contract in the amount of $411,000 with the architectural firm Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture on Sept. 7, 2005. The resolution approved last night authorizes the City Manager David Frasher to negotiate a revision to the existing contract estimated to add $92,290 in additional architectural fees. The City says the additional costs are needed because the Redwood station is larger than originally planned and for the City to meet developmental requirements for street improvements like curb, gutter, sidewalk and water lines. Public Safety Director Joe Henner said that the project will also include the hiring of an acoustical engineer to investigate noise impacts from the Public Safety stations on neighbors. The engineer may make mitigation recommendations including a grassy berm or a sound wall. In other action, the Council heard an appeal of an Urban Area Planning Commission (UAPC) decision regarding a front yard setback variance for a garage. The appeal concerned a garage already constructed with a 9-foot setback in a residential neighborhood in violation of the City's 20' front yard setback requirements. Property owners Edwin and Peggy Buskirk constructed the garage after a City planner initially approved their project in error. Edwin Buskirk and the planner together made an incorrect measurement before the garage was built. A City inspector discovered the error on Sept. 11, 2006 during final inspection, after construction of the garage was already complete. It was then determined that the garage had a 9' front yard setback, not meeting the requirement of 20' as specified in the Development Code. The Buskirk's applied to the City for a major variance to allow the garage to remain in its current location. Edwin Buskirk testified last night that it would cost $12,000 to move the garage which he said exceeded the cost of construction. The UAPC turned down the request for a variance. The criteria cited as not being met: unique physical constraint, need for variance (reasonable use), no other reasonable alternative, and minimum deviation. City Development Director Jim Huber and City Attorney Ulys Stapleton both testified that it is the property owner's responsibility to know the location of property lines prior to construction. City staff then recommended affirming the UAPC decision and denying the variance request. Councilor Cummings said that he felt the criteria was met and made a motion to overturn the UAPC decision and grant the variance request. The Council unanimously approved the motion with an 8-0 vote. In other Council action: - New Councilors Lisa Berger, Bill Kangas, and Del Renfro, and current Councilor Tim Cummings were sworn in. - New rates for City staff time were adopted. These rates dictate what will be charged on an hourly basis for services that require staff time. Examples include City Attorney $120, Assistant City Manager $114, City Engineer $83, Senior Planner $72 and Clerical Staff $36. The rates are used for request that involve staff time and research including requests from citizens under Oregon's Public Records Law. - An ordinance regulating "Heritage Markers" was unanimously adopted. This is a project sponsored by Evergreen Federal Savings and Loan to erect historical markers along main entrance corridors to Grants Pass. A spokesperson for Evergreen said that the program will install approximately 15 markers over the next two years and that the markers will reviewed by the City's arts advisory committee prior to installation. - Jocelyn Richardson was appointed to the Urban Area Planning Commission to fill the seat recently vacated by new City Councilor Bill Kangas. Richardson, a retired chemical engineer, said one of her goals is to bring "balance to the process" of growth. "Living in the Redwood Area has shown how hard it is to 'catch up' in an area that grew without planning," she wrote in her application. - Councilor Jack Patterson was elected as the new Council president by a 7-1 vote. Councilor Paquin voted against the choice, noting that Patterson had served as president before, and saying that the position is customarily filled on a "rotational basis" by a senior member of the Council, which would have meant that it was Councilor Cummings' turn this year. - An ordinance was adopted increasing Engineering and Planning fees and establishing yearly increases tied to a cost of living index. - An unannounced executive session was held under ORS 192.660 (2) authority: real property transactions-negotiations. Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com Copyright © 2007 Grants Pass Climate Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums.
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