2008-01-15

HIDDEN SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DRAFT MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2008 CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM at the West Linn Adult Community Center by President, Lynn C. Fox. Other officers in attendance: Harvey Schultz, Vice President; Charles Lytle, Secretary; Donna Baker, Treasurer. QUORUM DATA. This being the first meeting of 2008, there was no quorum carry-over. At the beginning of the meeting, twenty eligible members were in attendance, with three more arriving after the meeting had commenced. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 20, 2007 MEETING. There being no additions or corrections, President Fox declared the minutes approved as submitted. TREASURER’S REPORT. Treasurer Donna Baker reported a balance of $1,249.32. POLICE REPORT. Officer Bunch reported that since the last meeting, there had been 11 animal complaints, 4 calls about coyotes being sighted, 8 calls to assist motorists, one altercation, and one instance of ID theft. OLD BUSINESS. President Lynn Fox reported on the following: 1) The proposed lot partition and development on Kantara Way is scheduled to be heard by the city council on Monday, January 28th. 2) Please check with city staff if you have a dog because the procedure for licensing has changed. 3) The Association now has a binder with information about all the many state committees and commissions that are staffed with volunteers. Please see her if interested. 4) The city is establishing a Parks Watch. If you live next to a city park and want to participate, check with city hall. NEW BUSINESS 1) The city council is voting on major changes to Chapter 99 of the city development code. One in particular stops the sending of certified letters to NAs regarding proposed developments and annexations. LUBA rules require specific notice to NAs and the proposed changes will reduce notice to residents and may weaken the protection of affected landowners in a LUBA appeal. 2) President Fox introduced Teri Cummings of the Marylhurst NA. There has been discussion to transfer 22 homes from the Hidden Springs NA to the Marylhurst NA. GUEST SPEAKER TROY BOWERS, SUNSET NA. Troy explained that the West Linn-Wilsonville School District is developing an action plan for Sunset Elementary School. The two options are renovation of the existing school or building a new one. Locations under consideration include Oppenlander Park on the north side of South Rosemont Road and the Erickson property that runs in an L-shape from Hidden Springs east and then south to Rosemont. The Sunset NA is advocating for the renovation option and is using the successful renovation of Bolton School as an example. The Sunset NA will take up the issue at a special meeting on February 9th (a Saturday). HSNA Meeting Minutes January 15, 2008 Page 2 GUEST SPEAKER ROBERT MURCH, CLACKAMAS COUNTY URBAN GREEN. Mr. Murch explained that Clackamas County has no ordinance to protect trees from being cut down prior to development. Currently, any and all trees may be cut, and only when a landowner applies to the county planning department for development are county zoning restrictions and requirements considered. Thus, if a property owner wants to develop land, frequently all the trees are first cut down. Then the owner applies to the county for development. This has resulted in a huge loss of trees. Urban Green has put together a model ordinance and is presenting it to the county commission at their next scheduled meeting. Mr. Murch urged any and all who support their plan to attend this meeting. The organization’s website is at www.ccurbangreen.org A neighborhood association member noted that this tactic was successfully used on the so-called “vineyard” property on Salamo Road. While within the county and outside city limits, the owner cut down the trees, then petitioned for annexation into the city. During the hearing before council, the owner declaimed any interest in developing the property and insisted the land was going to be used for a vineyard. The city put the annexation to the voters, it was approved, and the vineyard was planted. But now the owner is applying to the city to put in a housing development instead. It is this very thing that Urban Green is trying to prevent. The following motion was made by NA Vice-President Harvey Schultz: “The Hidden Springs NA supports the efforts of Clackamas County Urban Green to have a county-wide tree protection ordinance.” Motion seconded by NA Treasurer Donna Baker. For the motion: 16 Against the motion: 0 Abstentions: 0 Motion carried. NEXT MEETING DATE IS FEBRUARY 19, 2008. ADJOURNMENT. There being no other business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM by President Lynn C. Fox. Recorded by HSNA Secretary Charles R. Lytle.