City’s transportation system plan up for approval

City Council holds a regular meeting July 9, but Monday’s meeting includes a public comment period regarding the city’s proposed Transportation System Plan.

The plan, which has been “under construction” since 2010, drafts the city’s design for managing roads, bikes and pedestrians, and public transportation into the next 25 years. It has to meet state and county guidelines, follow the current comp plan, Florence 2020, and be developed through a rigorous public process, according to the state grant that paid for developing the plan.

A team of consultants, the Oregon Department of Transportation and a 15-member committee developed the plan, now a 300-plus-page document, through data collection, surveys, website posts and public hearings.

One particular point of the plan finally sparked public interest last month when the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, in a letter to the city submitted for a public hearing June 18, asked that the city eliminate the concept of a Willow Loop extension to provide access to Three Rivers Casino property.

The Tribes’ current development plan, since its purchase of Ocean Dunes Golf Links, does not intend to create a Willow Loop access. According to the letter, the concept of access via Coastal Highlands Drive is being incorporated into the latest master plan for the casino and golf course.

The concept has many Coastal Highlands residents concerned. Many have called the Siuslaw News and submitted letters to the editor, as well as to the city.

City Manager Jacque Betz said the citizens’ response is just what planners were hoping for.



For the complete article see the 07-07-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 07-07-2012 paper.

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