Wednesday, July 10 – Community Planning Re-Study Launch

At Annual Meeting in May, Corvallis League Members voted to restudy our Community Planning Position, much of which was adopted in 1970. See below. At this meeting, we will review the position and identify parts that need updating, or revised. There is also the  possibly that  additions will be proposed.. This will be a 7 PM meeting. Please email Committee Chair Shelly Murphy at [email protected] for location LWV CORVALLIS COMMUNITY PLANNING POSITION Support of Comprehensive Planning, effectively implemented; Support of Adequate Local Transportation; Support of Open Space. Support of urbanization policies which foster complete, healthy and diverse communities where people can live, work, shop and play. Comprehensive Planning (originally adopted 1970)

1. Support of comprehensive planning which involves consideration of social, cultural, and aesthetic factors, as well as land use, public facilities, and major streets.
2. Support of extensive, representative community (city, county, region) participation and of emphasis on livability and environmental quality in the development and implementation of the plan. A. The LWV of Corvallis concurs: Support for citizens’ right to determine by ballot the expansion of municipal limits resulting from proposed annexations, delayed or otherwise,  excepting only state-mandated annexations. (Adopted April 1997) B. The LWV of Corvallis concurs: Support for development impact fees, such as Systems Development Charge (SDC), which require new development to pay a fair share of the costs of development impact on the community. (Adopted April 1997)
3. Support of measures to insure effective, impartial, prudent, and lawful or legitimate enforcement of the implementation of the plan.
4. Support of a highway bypass to protect the riverfront, enhance revitalization of the downtown and improve traffic circulation and air quality.
5. Support for a strong central core of urban and governmental activity, including commercial, residential and recreational facilities. Encourage energy conservation through promotion of an efficient transportation system.

Urbanization Support for comprehensive, citizen-based land use planning that maintains and enhances community livability and protects resource lands by:

1. preventing urban sprawl;
2. concentrating development within urban areas by utilizing infill, redevelopment and other compact development forms;
3. making efficient use of land as a resource;
4. integrating multi-modal transportation planning and implementation, emphasizing connectivity and pedestrian orientation;
5. providing opportunities for a variety, range and mix of housing densities, types and prices;
6. allowing for a range of land uses, taking into consideration compatibility with surrounding neighborhood(s);
7. providing for high quality public areas and open space;
8. providing for delivery of high quality public services in an orderly, economic and efficient manner;
9. assuring citizen participation in all decision-making processes.

 Open Space (Adopted Nov. 1991)

1. Support of protection through identification, regulation and/or preservation of areas of critical concern, such as rare and valuable ecosystems, wetlands, borders of rivers and streams, unique scenic and historic areas and significant wildlife habitat.
2. Support of regulation of natural hazard lands where development could endanger life and property, such as flood plains and areas of unstable geologic formations.
3. Support of acquisition of land to provide green belts around urban areas in Benton County.

Transportation (Adopted 1974)

1. Support adequate public transit systems. League members agree that:

A. Adequate funding of transit systems is necessary, either by public ownership or public financial support. B. It is most important that equitable access should be provided to places of employment; equitable access should also be provided to educational, shopping, medical, and social services, and recreational and cultural facilities. Members recommended that Sunday and evening service should be provided. C. Special services should be provided where necessary to overcome inequities of access for particular groups. This might include special equipment (e. g. , for handling wheelchairs) or special financial help (e.g. , low-cost tokens). D. Local government should ensure adequate operational standards, particularly with regard to qualifications of drivers, public safety, and frequency of service. E. Local government should provide for coordination of all local public transit systems, and should work toward coordination with regional systems. 2. Provide for traffic flow (vehicular and pedestrian) including necessary street and parking facilities, but put emphasis on providing an adequate public transportation system. Members agreed that government should no longer cater to the private car. 3. Encourage car-pooling where mass transit is impractical. Members felt that buses are more dependable and safer than carpools. 4. Develop safe, adequate bikeways for transportation as well as recreation; enforce traffic regulations for bicycles. 5. Provide for the safety of pedestrians, especially at crosswalks. 6. Plan and manage transportation systems to promote good land use, conserve natural resources (including non-renewable energy resources) and to maintain environmental quality. For a copy of the pdf: League of Women Voters of Corvallis Community Planning Position