Jacksonville Review – Dec 2023/Jan 2024

Police Contract Halted—Staff reported that the hoped-for contract with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to provide deputy coverage for nights/weekends, has been “halted.” Sighting unforeseen financial implications due to JCSO’s negotiations with its union that will result in an estimated 14% increase in costs for PERS and salaries, Jacksonville finds itself unable to afford the proposed contract. There was no discussion of why this information had not been discovered earlier in the contract discussions. Staff also reported that JVPD is now staffed by Chief Towe and 3 full-time officers, and that job postings for two more positions are online. Staff indicated that the city is also contemplating hiring a Community Service Officer to respond to code violation matters.

Timber!—Planning Director Ian Foster was on-hand for a Public Hearing and ultimate codification of new regulations for tree removal found in Section 18 of the Municipal Code. Residents will now have a streamlined process related to tree removal due to wildfire risk, hazard trees, and nuisance species.

Urban Growth Boundary Update—Planning Director Ian Foster provided an overview of Jacksonville’s Urban Growth Boundary status. (Editor’s note: portions of the following are duplicated from the staff report, a complete copy of which is available on the city website.) In his report, Mr. Foster provided background that included commentary from a March 2022 report on the status of the City’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and the availability of lands within the UGB to accommodate future housing and economic needs. At that time, the City received two applications for UGB amendments from Stage Pass Properties, LLC, and Freel & Associates, LLC. The Council held work sessions to hear about the two applications on August 16, 2022, and February 21, 2023, respectively. On August 9, 2023, the Jacksonville City Council directed staff to prepare a scope of work for a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to evaluate the City’s current UGB and the UGB amendment applications. Mr. Foster explained that due to the highly-technical nature of the work, the city may be best served by forming a TAC, consisting of members of city staff and representatives from other county, state, or other agencies; and, as needed, legal counsel, or individuals or consultants with experience in Oregon’s Land Use Planning Program. Further, TAC members would not include principals, employees, agents or representatives of the applicants for the current UGB amendments. Of particular interest, Foster noted that the TAC and/or CAC would also review and analyze the current UGB amendment applications on file with the city. CAC members would be chosen and consist of a minimum of three Jacksonville residents, preferably with some experience in urban planning and related issues. At the conclusion of its work, a CAC, based on findings from the TAC, will provide recommendations about the current UGB, and whether the city should amend the current UGB. Planner Foster’s report included questions that must be addressed, including:

  1. Can we accommodate projected land need within the current UGB?
  2. If not, can we increase the development capacity (density) of land already inside the city to accommodate all or part of that need?
  3. If there is still a need that cannot be accommodated, how much and what types of land uses are needed for housing and employment outside the UGB?
  4. Where (if needed) is the best place to expand the boundary?