Community Meeting in Blue River set for April 30th
On Tuesday, April 30th 2024, a community meeting will be held at the new gym of McKenzie High School to discuss draft edits and plans for the Blue River Complete Community Plan.
Since December 2023, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) of Lane County have been working hard on edits and designs to present to PAC.
The next phase before presenting the drafts is to collect feedback from community members.
After the Community feedback is collected, any necessary edits will be made and the full adoption package will be prepared. The adoption package will include the Blue River Complete Community Plan, amendments to the Rural Comprehensive Plan, zoning amendments, findings of fact, a draft ordinance, and possibly other material.
The intent of the Blue River Complete Community Plan (Community Plan) project is to understand the Blue River community’s needs and vision for a revitalized Blue River.
IN PERSON MEETING: TUESDAY APRIL 30TH FROM 6-8PM
LOCATION: MCKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL (IN THE NEW GYM) 51187 BLUE RIVER DR, VIDA, OR 97488
Background:
Project Purpose and Transportation Relationships and Benefits
The purpose of TGM Code Assistance Blue River Complete Community Plan is to create a community plan and amend the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan and the Lane County Zoning Ordinance to implement the community plan and Oregon Administrative Rules for the Blue River rural community.
The amendments will promote compact, small-town development patterns with an active and convenient pedestrian environment along a mixed-use Blue River Drive, higher density development near Lane Transit District bus stops and the McKenzie River Community School, and mixed-use employment lands located within the community boundary.
The project will help people meet their daily needs by the mode of their choice, with a particular emphasis on walking, biking, and transit.
Why is this important?
In short, implementing more accessible transportation routes in Blue River by updating and amending zoning restrictions will act as a gateway to further developments for the community to continue rebuilding.
This project is anticipated to increase zoning and land use flexibility which reduces barriers to redevelopment that Blue River has been facing for many years.
In 1984, Lane County designated Blue River as a “Rural Community”.
The definition of a “Rural Community” is an unincorporated community which consists primarily of permanent residential dwellings but also has at least two other land uses that provide commercial, industrial, or public uses (including but not limited to schools, churches, grange halls, post offices) to the community, the surrounding rural area, or to persons traveling through the area.
As a rural unincorporated community, Blue River is subject to the State’s “Unincorporated Communities Rule”
Since the precipitous drop in the timber industry during the 1980s, the McKenzie River Valley has relied on recreation, travel, and natural resource management for economic stability.
During the stakeholder interviews conducted during the Community Plan outreach efforts, longstanding members of the community have spoken to witnessing the drop in timber industry as well as to pride in the area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Changes Since the Holiday Farm Fire
In September 2020, the Holiday Farm Fire swept through the McKenzie River Valley, where it caused significant destruction to homes, businesses, civic institutions, and surrounding forests.
The devastation of the Holiday Farm Fire has forced many community members to close their business or relocate either temporarily or permanently. While many community members chose to stay despite the hardships, it has been a long road to rebuilding and recovery due to outdated code amendments and zoning restrictions.
Since the fire, updates need to be made in order to rebuild.
The outcome of this project will be updated comprehensive plans and zoning codes that are better suited for Blue River’s unique layout and location within the McKenzie River valley and responsive to the destruction this community has and is enduring post 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.
We need community input!
Please join us during the public meeting on Tuesday April 30th from 6-8pm in the new gym at the McKenzie School to provide feedback for the drafts, edits, and design layouts of Blue River.
More information about the Blue River Complete Community Plan Project can be found here.
Source: LaneCounty.gov