12th Street project design approved

The proposed major reconstruction of South 12th Street was unveiled before the La Grande Planning Commission Wednesday night, with the commission giving approval of the design ahead of an upcoming public meeting to be held by the city and Union County.

La Grande Public Works Director Norm Paullus showed the commission a map that detailed the features of the project, which is a rebuild of a nearly mile-long stretch of road in a densely populated residential area.

Paullus said the design varies from city standards because of topography, width constraints and private property concerns. He said the plan can be fine-tuned as the public process continues.

South 12th is designated a minor collector street. City standards require 14-foot travel lanes and five-foot sidewalks on both sides. Optional features include five-foot-wide bike lanes and on-street parking on one or both sides of the street.

Paullus said an exception to the standards is required because it is necessary to adapt the plan to the already-existing right of way.

As detailed by Paullus, the the design, by Anderson-Perry and Associates, breaks the project into four separate sections. Design features are not consistent throughout.

• From Gekeler Lane to Taurus Lane and from Gemini Avenue to Highland Drive, there would be bike lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalks on both sides of the street, but no parkway strips.

• The section from Taurus Lane to Gemini Avenue would feature on-street parking on the east side of the street, and bike lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalks on both sides of the street.

• The third section, from Highland Drive to just past Lakeview Lane, would have sidewalks on the east side and bike lanes on both sides. There would be no parkway strips.

• The final section, a county road beginning at Lakeview Lane, would be an oil-mat street with gravel shoulders.

Several neighborhood residents attended the meeting, and while none stated objections to the project, they did offer suggestions.

One resident thought there should be sidewalks only on the east side in the stretch between Gemini Avenue and Highland Drive.

That would allow for wider lanes and a buffer, the resident said. Paullus said he thinks the area would be better served with sidewalks on both sides.

In the end the commission approved the design as presented. The next step in the process is a public meeting hosted by Union County, 6 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Misener Conference Room, 1001 Fourth St. Notice of the meeting has been sent to all neighborhood residents.

“We’re starting there to show the public what we want to do and to gather comments,” Union County Commissioner Steve McClure said this morning.

The joint city of La Grande-Union County project will be paid for with money from the state, and also fund exchanges with the state involving federal stimulus money. Paullus said planning should be complete and bids in this winter, with construction to start next summer.

In other business Tuesday, the planning commission approved the La Grande Fire Department’s request for a conditional use permit for a live fire training facility near the Union County Fairgrounds.

The facility will include two large metal storage containers, where fires will be ignited inside to simulate conditions and behavior typical of structure fires.

The training props will be located about 100 feet from the shoulder of Interstate 84. The Oregon Department of Transportation had expressed some concern that training activity might distract drivers passing by, but City Planner Mike Boquist said a row of evergreen trees on the property will screen the facility from view.

In a third matter Tuesday, the commission granted a conditional use permit to Rebecca Nash for establishment of a coffee house at 1702 Fourth Street, the large white house formerly occupied by the ERA Driggers and Associates real estate company.

The proposed new business would include a coffee shop and luncheonette, an art gallery and retail sales, administrative offices and a conference room.

On-site activities would include community education classes, occasional live music either inside or on the front porch, literary readings and art showings.

The commission heard testimony from some neighborhood residents who expressed concern about the flow of traffic in the area, and about parking issues.

The conditional use permit was granted on the condition that traffic flow will be from Spring Avenue on to Fourth Street. All traffic will exit on to Fourth.

The Methodist Church across Spring Street has agreed to allow coffee house customers to use its parking lot. As a second condition, Nash must present the commission with a formal written statement of that agreement.