Pending sales prove “encouraging”
First quarter home sales in the Florence area were in line with the same time period in the past three years. But, compared with the final three quarters of 2015, they were down.
82 single family homes were sold between January 1st and March 31st. That’s compared with 87, 83, and 77 during the first quarter of the three previous years.
That’s well below the average of 132 home sales recorded in each of the three previous quarters. But Tawfik Ahdab with Pacific Valuation Group isn’t overly concerned. He says on March 31st there were also 59 pending sales, demonstrating “how much more vigorous 2016 may be”.
One cause of concern though. The inventory of listings remains well below five months based on current sales. That’s not a large worry because Ahdab said six months is considered to be the “balance”.
But, he added, if available homes for sale drops below three months, that could push prices higher and it could become “painful” for buyers.
Austa Bridge slated for rehab
The closest covered bridge to Florence will be closed for two-and-a-half months. The Wildcat Creek Bridge at Austa, just off Highway 126, will undergo rehabilitation construction between April 18th and June 24th.
The bridge is visible from Highway 126 at the confluence of the Siuslaw River and Wildcat Creek.
Lane County spokesperson Devon Ashbridge said access to Richardson Upriver Road can be had by using Richardson Road itself, just a few miles west of Austa.
Sea Lions Splash Off
There were more than 740 people at the initial “splash off” Saturday to show off the 20 painted and decorated sea lions commemorating the Florence Events Center’s 20th anniversary.
The sea lion painted by artist Brian Bloss, called “Thalassa” won the People’s Choice award. It’s sponsored by Coast Insurance Services, and will be on display there through October. 2nd place, created by artist Judy Murphy is called “Splash Like No One is Watching”. It’s sponsored by Sea Lion Caves and will be displayed at the Umpqua Discovery Center in Reedsport.
16 of the 20 Sea Lions will be auctioned off in October to benefit the Friends of the Events Center.
Information on the “Dancing With Sea Lions” promotion, including photos and a map of where they’ll be on display, can be found at dancing-with-sea-lions-dot-com.
Florence names most beautiful town in America
The travel website Expedia-dot-com recently released a list of the 30 most beautiful places in America.
Number one? Florence, Oregon.
The website referred to the “attractive waterfront” near the mouth of the Siuslaw River, but also cited the sand dunes, rolling waves and scenic vistas of the surrounding area. Two particular locations were mentioned… Sea Lion Cavers and the Hobbit Trail, just north of Heceta Head. Reviewers called it a “tree-canopied hike reminiscent of Middle Earth.”
Superintendent to talk about high school conditions
A series of weekly “listening sessions” aimed at sharing information with school district residents about the upcoming ballot levy to pay for a new high school is set for tonight at Siuslaw High School.
Superintendent Ethel Angal will be offering information on the condition of the current 46-year old high school building and why the district has proposed building new, rather than remodeling.
97-J directors are asking for voter approval of a 25-year, $36.9-million levy on the May 17th ballot.
Angal will be at the high school library this evening at 5:30.
Planning commission working on objective land use criteria
The Florence Planning Commission will hold their fourth work session tomorrow night on the topic of updating the city’s land-use code. The aim, says City Manager Erin Reynolds, is to streamline many of the proceedings conducted by the organization.
Erin Reynolds – “So we already know what the criteria is, the planning commission and city council have already approved code. If they can just check the box and say yes, your application meets this criteria; go forth and do that. That is a lot less cumbersome on the applicant and we hope to encourage people to keep moving forward on projects, as opposed to feeling like it’s quite an obstacle to go to planning commission.
The commission will review the 2nd draft of architectural design codes that would help enable an “over the counter” permitting process. It meets Tuesday night, 7 p.m., at City Hall.