City HIP Moves Forward
The Florence City Council moved forward on adopting the next phase of the Housing Implementation Plan last night with a unanimous vote. The purpose of the HIP was to in part come in to compliance with current state regulations that apply to a city the size of Florence as well as updating the terminology. Florence currently sits on the cusp of a population mark that will mean more changes down the road. Cities that have 10,000 or more residents have additional requirements that must be met through state regulations. According to City Manager Erin Reynolds Florence is about 400 away from that mark.
“And we do anticipate that and with that 10,000 population the state of Oregon requires cities to have even additional things related to housing.”
In addition to state requirements the City of Florence has also implemented some of its own changes that were submitted through a lengthy process with a citizen review panel.
“All of this is with the intention of increasing the number of housing units. Not that the city is building them, but making it either less costly or less challenging in various ways to build more housing across Oregon.”
The Housing Implementation Plan is available on the city’s website.
Reward Increased
The FBI has increased a reward for information leading to the location and the arrest of a fugitive who eluded police on the Central Oregon Coast 12 years ago. David Durham is accused to shooting a Lincoln City police officer several times during a traffic stop January 23rd, 2011. Police pursued Durham several miles, with the fugitive firing at them from the moving vehicle on several occasions. A roadblock was set up on Highway 101 just north of Waldport, forcing Durham off the road. From there he disappeared and hasn’t been seen since. The FBI has now increased the reward from $10,000 to $50,000.
Grants Awarded
Area non-profits will be the recipients of more than $100,000 dollars in grants from the Western Lane Community foundation. The announcement comes today and includes 22 organizations or foundations from the Florence, Mapleton, and Deadwood communities. Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority received more than $9,000 dollars to help fund the Western Lane Crisis Response team. The Complete list:
- Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority was awarded $9,313.00 to help fund Western Lane Crisis Response
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Lane County was awarded $7,500.00 to help fund the Healthy Habits Hunger Abatement and Nutrition Project
- Florence Food Share was awarded $7,500.00 to expand their Emergency Food Pantry
- Eugene Symphony was awarded $7,500.00 to help develop the Encouraging Young Musicians to Achieve Program at Siuslaw School District
- Food Backpack for Kids was awarded $7,500.00 to help expand their Upriver Project
- Lane Arts Council was awarded $5,000.00 to help build the Lane Arts Council Artist Residency Program at Siuslaw Elementary School
- Mapleton Elementary School Leadership was awarded $5,000.00 toward their Preschool Playground
- Mapleton Middle/High School Partnership to Promote Positive Youth Development was awarded $5,000.00 to help build Ophelia’s Place
- Siuslaw Vision was awarded $5,000.00 to help build their Operations & Capacity
- Siuslaw School District #47J was awarded $4,600.00 to help expand the Viking Voices & Visions Podcast Program.
- First Methodist Free Lunch Program was awarded $4,500.00 to help continue the Florence Free Lunch Program
- Deadwood Community Services was awarded $4,425.00 to help continue the Deadwood Oral History & Archives Project
- Chintimini was awarded $4,000.00 to help expand the Oregon Wildlife Science (OWLS) Field Trips for Lane County Second Graders
- Siuslaw Watershed Council was awarded $3,500.00 to help fund their Office Sanitation Improvements
- Cascadia Coastal Coalition was awarded $3,200.00 to help continue their 2023 Western Lane Disaster Education and Emergency Communications Project
- Siuslaw Family Connection was awarded $3,000.00 to begin funding their Project Connect & Play
- Oregon Coast Humane Society was awarded $2,500.00 to help continue their Veterinary Care for Community Animals Program
- Mapleton School District was awarded $2,400.00 to expand funding the Mapleton Youth Basketball Program
- Deadwood Community Services was awarded $2,400.00 to help continue funding the Deadwood Community Center Grounds Revitalization
- Mapleton Food Share was awarded $2,250.00 to help expand the Transportation Assistance Program.
- Rods N Rhodies Inc. was awarded $2,000.00 to help fund their Transportation Solutions Project
- Florence Regional Arts Alliance was awarded $2,000.00 to support the Data Sharing from the Americans for the Arts AEP6 Survey