08/27/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

annexation were delayed until completion of the South Hills studies at the end of this year. They objected to the proposed multiple-family type housing, wishing to retain the "rural" character of the area, and felt annexation of this property at this time -- would lead to other requests for annexations in the same area. Annabel Kitzhaber, 1892 West 34th Avenue, strongly urged no decision be made until ~~ completion of the South Hills density study. She thought results of the study would have implications on this property regardless of whether it was a part of the City, and that a delay until completion of the study would not adversely affect the property's development. Mr. Unruh said if time consideration was of no consequence, developers at this point would not be pursuing as it is a program of development and financing.. He added that the density limits imposed' during the study are much more stringent than any regulations apt to come as a result of the ridge line study. Public hearing was closed, no further testimony being presented. - . Assistant Manager noted that the Planning Commission had recommended annexation of the property, although not by unanimous action. Councilman Murray asked whether a zone change would be connected with the annexation. I Planning Director answered that it is now zoned RA in the County, there is no zone change at issue at this time. He added that services available to the property if it . were in the City would allow development whereas they would not be available in the County. Councilwoman Campbell not€d rejection of petitions for annexation of properties in the same general area in the past. She expressed concern about the effect of the South Hills density study on this property and asked whether annexation would interfere with I a proposed ridge line trail system. She was fayorably impressed with the plans for I the proposed development but felt approval of this annexation would not be consistent with action on prevQous annexation requests. Planning Director said that at this time there are no binding requirements that the property will be developed~inSaccordance with the plans pre~ented.Not until pre- liminary approval is given a planned unit development by the Planning Commission is -- there assurance of how a property will be developed. Staff is concerned also with effect of the density and ridge line studies on this property; there is no way at this time of knowing what that will be. Councilman McDonald expressed the opinion that delay would add to the cost of the housing proposed because of increases in cost of paving, sidewalks, sewers, etc. Mr. Keller noted that it was previously brought out that that cost would be passed on to the purchaser. Assistant Manager confirmed Councilman Murray's statement that the issue at this time is annexation only. The matter of development will remain unsettled ~. until considered by the Planning Commission if the area is annexed. In response to Councilman Wood, Jim Saul, planner, said the only data available at this time on the South Hills is ecological description. Other data has been collected but has not yet I been evaluated. Betty ,Niven, Planning, Commission member, referred to other annexations rejected and said they were denied because sewers ~ere not available. That situation does not exist in this instance. She said the Commission had recommended a moratorium on annexa- tions until the South Hills studies were completed, but the Council did not accept that recommendation and decided instead to consider each request for annexa~io~on its own merits as it came to them. For that reason, Mrs. Niven said, the Commission decided the Council should approve the annexation; if it were denied,. it would seem a mora- torium was really what was intended. -+ Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mrs. Campbell to tran~mit the annexation to the _ Boundary Commission, stating the reluctance of the Council to take any posi- tion whatever on this or any other annexation in that area pending compl~tion of the South Hills "studie's. Councilman McDonald felt approval of the motion would place the Planning Commission in an embarrassing position because of the Council's previous action rejecting a moratorium ,- on annexations in that area. Mrs. Beal noted completion of the studies was expected in -....;; ..~ about four months and she didn't feel that length of time would result in serious hard- ship to the developer. Neither did she think the study could be effective if conditions under which it was made were constantly changing. Councilman Keller expressed opposition to the motion also. He thought the property would eventually be used for houses and that the plans presented were as good as any which might be presented after completion of the study. 1..59 8/27/73 - 2