March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Gravel Point. A special meeting of the Bandon City Council was held on Wednesday, February 21st to consider the de novo appeal of the Gravel Point Project proposed by Bandon Beach Ventures, LLC. The City Council, by a vote of 4 to 2, denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission's decision to approve the project. Gravel Point was found to be in compliance with the zoning, land use, and development regulations of the Bandon Municipal Code. The City's water, wastewater, and electric utilities, as well as transportation facilities, were deemed to have more than sufficient capacity to support the development. When completed, Gravel Point will offer luxury accommodations, including a 110-bed hotel, 32 detached villas, two restaurants, meeting rooms, and a spa. It is estimated that the project will generate approximately $1.3 million in System Development Charges (SDCs), $1.67 million in transient occupancy tax (TOT), and $259,782 in annual property tax revenue for the City. Celtic Harp Concert. The Bandon Public Library hosted Aryeh Frankfurter and Lisa Lynne at the Barn on February 16th. The couple hails from Oregon and tours extensively while maintaining successful recording careers. My wife, Kelly, and I attended the performance along with 250 other concertgoers. We were delightfully entertained with tales of the couple's past and enchanted by the beautiful music they performed. For those who attended the concert, the first album I purchased was "The Doors," and it remains my favorite record to this day. Work Session on Homelessness. The City Council held a Work Session on homelessness on Tuesday, February 20th at City Hall. Local churches, community groups, residents, and members of the public were in attendance. City staff provided an overview of the 8th Amendment of the US Constitution, which pertains to cruel and unusual punishment. Staff also discussed case law that influenced the adoption of State legislation regulating the treatment of homeless individuals by the government. According to State law, Oregon cities were required to adopt ordinances addressing homelessness in their respective communities by July 1, 2023. On June 26, 2023, the Bandon City Council adopted regulations regarding camping on private and public property, including parking lots, parks, and public spaces. The City's ordinance was drafted in accordance with State law and does not criminalize the act of sitting, lying, sleeping, or seeking warmth and shelter in public spaces. The City's ordinance establishes reasonable time, place, and manner regulations that balance the rights of homeless individuals to use public spaces for their basic survival needs, while ensuring that public spaces are also available for the enjoyment of all residents, regardless of their status. The City Council concluded the meeting by expressing support for the formation of a community group comprising local churches and residents collaborating to address homelessness. The City Council also directed City staff to include a $5,000 line item in the upcoming budget to support either the formation of the community group or the provision of services for the homeless. The City Council wishes to express its gratitude to those who participated in the discussion and selflessly volunteer behind the scenes to aid the homeless in our community. With that said, Bandon's authorities will continue to remain vigilant in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all Bandon residents, including individuals experiencing homelessness.
|
Upcoming Library Events. The following events will be held at the Bandon Library this March:
Grocery Outlet. In response to numerous inquiries from Bandon residents, City staff contacted the representatives of Grocery Outlet to inquire about the project's status. City staff was informed that Grocery Outlet remains committed to bringing a store to Bandon sometime in the future. Corporate representatives explained that unforeseen construction expenses, such as inflated material and labor costs, along with high interest rates, led Grocery Outlet to pause. The challenge of constructing along the Oregon Coast presents logistical issues for potential contractors, as they need to consider travel and accommodation expenses for their crews. Despite these realities, Grocery Outlet would like to commence construction within the next two years. Currently, the company is value-engineering conceptual building and site designs to identify potential cost-saving measures. City staff expressed the community's overwhelming support for Grocery Outlet and the City Council's desire and willingness to facilitate its completion. Grant Funding Award. The City was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from City/County Insurance Services (CIS) to enhance public trails connecting residential neighborhoods and public parking areas to beach access points and viewpoints. These grant funds may be used to finance the installation of new signage, vegetation management, and improvements, including debris removal, as well as the installation of new pathway gravel and groundcover plant material.
|
