July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Group looks into city's future (04/11/07)

Portland Planning Commission

By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-

A view of what could be the city's future was revealed on Tuesday.

Proposed future land use and growth maps were discussed by members of the Portland Planning Commission. Members decided to take time to think about the maps, and continue the discussion May 3.

The future land use map shows how land in the city and in the 2-mile zone outside Portland's limits might be used in the future. The growth map indicates how the city limits might expand.

The maps are part of the city's comprehensive plan, which was last amended in 2003. Kristi Sturtz, principal planner and owner of Sturtz Public Management Group, said the city's current land use map needed to be updated because it wasn't much different from how land in the city currently is being used. The maps need to be updated periodically.

A comprehensive plan has to be in place in order for the city's zoning ordinance to be enforced, she said.

Once the maps are approved, planning commission members can use them as a guide when considering future zoning change requests.

Sturtz has been working with planning commission members Vicki Tague and Bob Loucks, mayor Bruce Hosier, and Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator Bill Milligan and his administrative assistant Pati McLaughlin for about six months to develop the maps.

If commission members approve the maps, a public hearing will be held. The Portland City Council could then give final approval of the maps.

Commission members had the most questions about the proposed growth map.

The map shows that the city's limits could expand south along U.S. 27, west along Ind. 67 and Ind. 26, east between Ind. 26 and county road 100 South, and north along U.S. 27.

The majority of the land targeted for possible future annexation is to the south and to the west of the city - bordered roughly by Ind. 26, county road 300 West, county road 300 South and U.S. 27.

"I think annexation - expanding your boundaries - goes hand-in-hand with development," Sturtz said.

Part of the proposed annexation could include Nan-Del Lane and Manuels Drive, which are located south of the city, west of U.S. 27.

These areas - along with the Portland Golf Club - have been projected to become part of the city limits by 2010.

Commission member Lee Newman said if such areas were to be annexed into the city utilities would have to be in place.

"One of the big things we kept in mind (when creating the map) is the existing infrastructure and where it could go without an astronomical amount of money," Milligan said.

Newman asked why the proposed city boundaries were jagged, rather than squared off.

"I don't think boundaries have to be square," Hosier said. He said several factors, including the locations of railroads and wetlands, must be considered when expanding the city limits. "I don't think ... any of that is conducive to one big square."

The map projects growth through 2025.

Commission members also briefly discussed the proposed land use map.

This proposed map shows how land in the city and in the 2-mile buffer zone could be used in the future.

"We need to manage growth on the fringe," Sturtz said of the 2-mile zone.

See Future page 5

Continued from page 1

The map projects that land west of county road 100 West would be a mix of low density residential, rural residential, highway service, industrial and public/community areas. It also shows land south of the city being used for low density residential and parks.

If land is used as projected, the areas including and west of Portland Municipal Airport would be industrial, Sturtz said. The airport currently is not within the city limits.

Commission member Glen Bryant said he was concerned that industrial development there could infringe on the airport.

Hosier said any future land use near the airport would have to comply with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

Before commission members decided to wait to make a decision about the maps, advisory member John Knipp advised them to take their time and not rush into a public hearing.[[In-content Ad]]
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