Transportation Updates Generate Comments
The draft of a new transportation plan for the City of Florence was presented to the public last week. Community Development Director Sandra Belson said it’s more of a refinement rather than an all new plan.
Sandra Belson – “It’s not a major shift in direction, but it is an update. So, we are looking at what are the priority projects for the next five to 20 years. We know that there are limited resources so we are really trying to be selective in terms of those that are feasible and implementable.”
Nearly six-dozen different projects are identified. Belson said two intersections drew a significant amount of attention…. Ninth and Kingwood; and Highway 126 and Spruce.
Sandra Belson – “Those are going to be needing some attention, you know, sooner rather than later, so one of the discussion points was people’s thoughts on whether we would want to install traffic signals or roundabouts at those two locations.”
Last week’s open house allowed for some alterations based on comments received that evening.
Sandra Belson – “The project advisory committee met directly after the open house and gave direction in terms of some changes we wanted to make based on the feedback. So we’re working on putting that into the plan and then we’ll be scheduling it for a public hearing with the Planning Commission in March.”
From there, it will also have to go to the City Council for final action, likely later this spring.
Code Changes Subject of Work Session
The Florence City Council will continue a discussion this evening that they began six weeks ago. Revisions to several sections of Florence’s Land Use Codes are on the table. Some of the changes are proposed in response to new state laws regarding solar access; others are to fix some problems identified by the Planning Commission and city staff. The council heard the first proposals December 19th, but rather than take action on the changes that night, they felt that a work session would make it easier to interpret them. They’ll meet this evening at city hall beginning at 6:30.
Local Resident on Statewide Panel
A Florence resident recently attended his first meeting as the mid-coast representative on the state Salmon-Trout Advisory Committee. Brian Hudson, a decorated Air Force veteran and former aerospace manager was appointed to the panel by Governor Kitzhaber late last year. Hudson fills a spot formerly filled by another Florence resident, Tom Peterson, who served eight years on the panel.
Since returning to his home state seven years ago Hudson has been an active volunteer with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as the Newport and Florence chapters of the Salmon Trout Enhancement Programs.
Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…
Prep Wrestling
Three Vikings finished in the top four of their respective weight classes as Saturday’s Cottage Grove Wrestling Tournament. 34 teams competed in all. Peter Tupua was second at 285 pounds; Jesse Kuntz was 3rd at 170; and Sonny Tupua fourth at 220. Coach Neil Wartnik said two other varsity wrestlers had outstanding days… Luke Carroll had three wins and Hayden Miles two.
Prep Basketball
Boys… The Siuslaw Vikings fell to Brookings-Harbor 62-52 in overtime Friday night at home. In Reedsport, the Glide Wildcats came out on top 76 – 41 over the Braves. The Mapleton Sailors split a pair of games over the weekend… losing Friday night to Alsea 53-44. Saturday afternoon they dismantled Eddyville 65-40.
Girls… The Lady Vikings dominated the Brookings-Harbor Bruins Friday night, 44-23. The Glide Wildcats came out on top over the Reedsport Braves 38-25. And, the Mapleton Sailors split over the weekend… losing to Alsea Friday night 47-28, then downing Eddyville 40-21 on Saturday afternoon.