05/22/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Boles said it is important for the commission not only to plan its work, but also to work its plan. He was uncertain that the commission is getting beyond planning its work. Mr. Boles asked how the City can ensure that the output of its planning processes form something that citizens can see as a coherent framework for decision-making. Ms. Nathanson said the Metro Plan is a broad document, and is difficult to use in making specific land-use decisions. For this reason, the City needs refinement plans. Refinement plans help the City make good land use decisions and give good information to citizens who corne into the Permit and Information Center with development proposals. Ms. Nathanson stressed that the City is still filling in the gaps--some areas are not yet covered by refinement plans. Mr. Boles agreed with Ms. Nathanson about the importance of refinement plans. He said the problem is that the consequences of decisions made by the Planning Commission and the City Council change the nature of existing plans. He said the City does not seem to keep track of these changes over time as a guide for decision making. Mr. Gleason felt that part of this problem is solved by the regular updates of the City's major plans and ordinances. He said the City also does an internal review to ensure that the various planning documents are consistent. Mr. Gleason stressed that this process worked better in earlier years when the planning staff was not so burdened by permitting activities. He said that with the high level of development activity occurring now, the updating activity will have to be reduced. e Mr. Rutan stated that upon completion of the airport construction, the City will probably see an increased demand for light industrial and commercial development in that area. He said he would like to see an airport area refinement plan to address these issues. Ms. Decker said this issue has been incorporated into the commission's work plan in two ways: through the Airport Master Plan and the Industrial Lands Study. Mr. Holmer asked commissioners to consider what the council can do to encourage Springfield and Lane County to become more involved in metropolitan planning issues. Mr. Rutan said the council is often criticized for abdicating too many of its responsibilities to the voters, the Planning Commission, the Hearings Official, and so forth. He asked commissioners whether they feel comfortable making land-use decisions. Ms. Anderson felt that it works very well to invest the commission and the hearings official with decision-making responsibility. Mr. Tollenaar noted that the changes in the Metro Plan amendment process should help address Mr. Holmer's concerns about efficient processing of issues. Mr. VanLandingham added that the commission has been working with the Lane County Planning Commission to hold joint hearings on some issues. He felt this type of coordination would also help reduce the time spent processing issues. e MINUTES--City Council/Planning Commission-- Dinner/Work Session May 22, 1989 Page 4