[Council Communication]  [Attachments]

Council Communication

Title:	Recommendation on Future Growth Areas for "Now x 2" Regional Problem Solving
Dept:	Planning Department
Date:	December 2, 2003
Submitted By:	John McLaughlin, Director of Community Development
Approved By: ...........................	Gino Grimaldi, City Administrator

Synopsis:	The City has been involved in the "Now x 2" Regional Problem Solving process, and as Phase I nears an end, the City has been requested to provide its recommendations for future growth areas. Study sessions have been held with the Planning Commission, Housing Commission and City Council to go over the "Now x 2" process and to review the potential growth areas. At the last joint study session on October 28, 2003, the Council asked both the Planning and Housing Commissions to make formal recommendations on the future growth areas. On November 12, 2003, the Planning Commission met at which time they recommended that no potential growth areas be adopted at this time, and consider infill and increasing density in future development areas within the UGB, and review overall community form and development specific to Ashland. The vote was 6-1 in favor of this recommendation. On November 19, 2003, the Housing Commission met at which time they ended up not making a formal recommendation on any potential growth areas. As shown by the minutes, a motion to include four of the five potential growth areas (excluding the 400+ acre Neil Ranch) did not pass, by a 2-3 vote. No other motions were made regarding potential growth areas before their meeting ended due to loss of a quorum.
Recommendation:	The Council maintains the options presented to the other commissions: Option 1 Adopt a resolution recommending inclusion of one or more of the potential growth areas outlined in the attached memo. Option 2 Adopt a resolution recommending that no potential growth areas be adopted at this time, and consider infill and increasing density in the future development areas within the UGB, and review overall community form and development specific to Ashland. Two resolutions incorporating the options are included at the end of the packet. The recommendation regarding future growth areas is to determine where, in the long range plan of the community, future expansions of the urban growth boundary should occur. The recommendation does not result in an increase in the urban growth boundary. It is not likely that any expansions of the boundary would be considered for at least 5 - 10 years, and at that time, the City would still need to show a need for the additional land in our community, based on vacant land inventories and rates of growth. Should the Council recommend one or more of the potential growth areas, those would be the areas examined first for any expansion efforts. These areas would be considered as the logical extension of the city's established urban form, and would provide the future urban areas of Ashland. Should the Council not recommend any potential growth areas at this time, it does not mean that there will never be another opportunity to consider expansion areas. In the regional problem solving process, there will likely be a process for periodic consideration of future growth areas within the region. While it may add another level to the review process, it may be more appropriate for the community to maintain the current urban growth boundary and set up our long range plans based upon that decision. Should conditions change during the next 5-10 years, opportunities will be available for the City to consider adding future growth areas.
Background:	The memo outlining the options for the potential growth areas is attached, as well as the maps of the areas. Also included are minutes from the past meetings, including the most recent Housing and Planning Commission meetings. At the end of the packet are two resolutions, one recommending incorporating the recommendations of Option 1, with blanks left for the Council to include the recommended potential growth areas. The other resolution is based on Option 2 and does not recommend the inclusion of any future growth areas.
Attachments:	• Now X 2 - Council Packet • Resolution - Option 1 • Resolution - Option 2

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