by Wayne Lee – Reporter/Photographer
The Eagle Point City Council held their regular meeting March 10 where the main agenda item was the rezoning request for roughly six acres of land listed as 1015 Palima Dr. This hearing was the follow-up to a previous approval by the planning commission to approve the request to change the zoning from RF (Residential Farm) to R-1-12 (Single Family homes on 12,000 sq. ft. lots).
Community Development Director Mike Upston briefed the council on the application and its process through the planning commission as well as the issues that were raised at that time. According to Upston, concerns raised previously included fire risk, landslide risk, stormwater runoff and the adequacy of Palima Dr. Which is currently just a dirt road. However, he also noted this is not a development request but simply a request for a zoning change.
Upston explained to the council its options are to approve the request (with or without changes), postpone a decision, send it back to the planning commission, or deny the application. The applicant, Mike Bull, explained to the council that although the zoning change could allow for up to 17 homes, his intention is six homes on large lots. One home already exists on the property. He would be adding five more.
The largest concern was how much of Palima Dr. would be improved and to what extent. Several options were discussed from simply widening the road to paving a portion of it as a private driveway. The discussion hit a snag when it was noted that Palima Dr. begins outside city limits and is a county road for the first 500 feet before turning west and crossing into the city limits. According to nearby resident San Chimento, he contacted Jackson County Roads and was told the county turned over responsibility for the road to the city eight years ago. However, none of the city staff could confirm that it actually happened.
Due to the confusion and uncertainty, the council voted unanimously to postpone a decision until they had confirmation of which government agency is responsible for maintaining which part of the road. The council will revisit the issue at its Apr. 14 meeting.
In other business, Upston informed the council that the Lakeland Senior Living facility on Loto St. has submitted plans for the memory care facility they are looking to construct where a vacant building now stands. Upston stated there are still concerns regarding the current location of the trash compactor and emergency generator and their possible relocation. He also informed the council that the property where Ed’s Oasis once stood has been zoned heavy commercial while the land on the east side of Old Hwy. 62 will be light commercial. No development plans have been submitted as of yet.
Public Works Director Bret Marshall noted the emergency generator project for the city’s three water pumping stations is finally wrapping up, the Chamberlain Park restrooms and picnic area have been recently repainted and rubber barriers have been installed around the volleyball court to help contain the sand. New sidewalks are coming soon along Shasta Ave. near the covered bridge, and there has already been evidence of vandalism on the new pickleball courts at Little Butte School.
The meeting concluded with Police Lieutenant Mike Anselmi informing the council that the department raised $13,500 for Special Olympics during the polar plunge. It was the second highest total in the state this year and the most money raised by a law enforcement agency for the third consecutive year.
