Stayton's Urban Renewal Plan On Hold

Councilors present: James Loftus, Catherine Hemshorn, Mayor Gerry Aboud, Don Walters, Scott Vigil and Steve Frank.

Salem-News.com

(STAYTON, Ore.) - The council chambers were quite full in anticipation of the public hearing on the city's proposed Urban Renewal Plan. The Mayor first asked city planner Dan Flieschman to give a complete presentation on the plan.

Flieschman then did a power point presentation showing the expanded boundaries and talked about the funding mechanisms and the projected time frame as well as projects to be accomplished with the creation and development of the Urban Renewal district.

After his presentation the mayor opened up the floor to proponents for this district. First to speak was John Brandt saying his reading of the plan and the community was that there was strong support for this plan among individuals and groups.

Kelly Schrieber, Executive Director of the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce read a letter from the chamber's board of directors in support of the Urban Renewal District saying in affect that they support anything that promotes growth and development in this area and this project does that.

The last proponent to speak was this reporter, Ken Cartwright, stating that in ten years downtown as a resident and a business and property owner, I have been asking what it would take to repair the streets, curbs and sidewalks to make it safer and more attractive for businesses and shoppers. Always the issue of a Urban Renewal District was the answer. It was stated for the record as a hope that this Renewal district become a reality that would at least give hope for improvement in the next ten years.

Opponents then addressed their concerns starting with Dick Morely, former owner of NAPA auto parts store, school district board member and Santiam Fire district board member.

He was opposed and said that at a recent fire district meeting it was unanimous that the fire district board was opposed to the Urban Renewal district because it froze taxes in a large are and left no growth for 20 years in tax revenues from that district for the fire department needs. Jay Alley, assistant fire chief went on to say he agreed with Mr. Morely and added that this is a plot by the city to rob funds from other agencies for their own projects.

Art Christensen, retired CEO of Norpac foods said he was opposed this plan because it was not well thought out and that it was not necessary to form a district in order to pay for street improvements when there were other sources of revenue for core area improvements. He also felt that this issue was too important to not take it to the citizens for Stayton for a vote and that the city council should not be the final judge of a plan of this scope.

The council discussed for nearly one and half hours the issues and concerns by citizens testifying and after much discussion a motion was made after several failed motions to not take action on the Urban renewal plan until the next city council meeting.

There was a lot of disappointment within the room that this issue which has been on the councils agenda for some time was not resolved at this meeting. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday August 3, 2009 at 7 PM at the Community Center. The public hearing is closed but members of the community will be allowed to speak to this plan... The meeting was adjourned at just about 10:00 p.m.

Ken Cartwright
Community Radio AM 1620 KENC, Stayton OR