Controversial annexation draws citizen protestants
Mayor, council again reiterate city’s determination based on state rules, not personal feelings
Annexation of an approximately 6.5-acre property on the north end of Cave Junction made for a contentious city council meeting Monday night, Sept. 24 in city hall.
The mayor and council were present, less Russell Ehrman, who resigned Sept. 11, and many valley residents packed the council chamber with some 45 persons attending.
The area in question is located at the north end of Cottage Park Drive. The property is owned by the Arthur Family Trust, which submitted the application for annexation along with Manor Community Development Co., of Lodi, Calif., which plans a housing subdivision on the land.
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Two people, Larry Osborn, of Manor Community, and Jim Frick, of Century 21 Harris & Taylor, spoke in favor of annexation. Osborn pointed out that the extension of Cottage Park Drive provides an alternative travel route to Redwood Hwy. and would thus aid in traffic control.
He added that development of the land would begin next year. Frick stated that the owners of the land had requested that it be developed in this manner.
Opposition came from several Illinois Valley citizens. Peggy Karp, of Kerby, read a letter written by John Bowler, also of Kerby. His letter states that the annexation should be approved only if voters indicate that more development is wanted and if the annexation would serve the interests of current residents.
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Bowler went on to note that he didn’t feel that either of these conditions were being fulfilled. This comment was met with an immediate outburst of applause from the audience.
O’Brien resident Daniel Dalegowski said that although water and sewer services are adequate for the area, police protection is not. He noted that the city of Cave Junction Comprehensive Plan states that land “shall be available for annexation to the city as services can be economically provided.”
He continued that he believes that because law enforcement services are inadequate and cannot be economically provided, the annexation would be a violation of city policy.
Several people spoke of their frustration. They said they felt that they had no say in the direction development is taking, and that the city council seems unconcerned and unresponsive to the needs of the community.
These same sentiments were expressed in several e-mails sent to the council prior to the meeting. Recorder/Treasurer Jim Polk read a few of them, but passed over several because he said they did not specifically address the approval criteria for annexation which comprise the actual issue.
Comments from citizens had been solicited via an e-mail by a concerned citizen.
Council members responded to these concerns by saying that the annexation request meets all state guidelines and that approval criteria were met. Dick Converse, of the Rogue Valley Council Of Governments, provided a report showing adequate water and sewer services to be available.
Mayor Tony Paulson said that police services for the area are provided by the county sheriff and are therefore adequate.
The mayor further stated that it is not the city’s responsibility to provide law enforcement.
Councilor Margaret Miller noted that although 16 people expressed misgivings about the annexation, only two are Cave Junction residents.
Generally, the council as a whole also said that it is bound by state law and therefore has no option but to approve such annexations. It was stated that residents should address their concerns to state officials rather than the city council, in connection with state regulations governing annexations.
The mayor has emphasized that the council cannot pick and choose what areas to annex as long as lawful criteria are met.
Prior to the council’s
4-0 approval of the annexation, area resident Devin Tandy expressed the hope that the council members would remember that they are elected to represent the community.
Paulson immediately responded with, “Put your name on a ballot and I’ll put a check in the box next to your name.”
This type of direct comment seemed to be prevalent throughout the evening. Councilor Lynne Atteberry requested that all maps supplied as relevant material to discussion include a simple indicator of direction. Miller commented during a break that she didn’t realize they were dealing with people who were “so map challenged.”
One audience member commented on the difficulty citizens experience to attend evening meetings, citing work and family obligations. Councilor Dan Fiske responded that he would rather be home as well, but that he had to attend the meetings. He also reiterated the mayor’s earlier statement that if people don’t like what the council does, then they should run for office.
In his closing comments Fiske stated that people always come to the council with problems, but that nobody “comes to us with solutions.”
In other matters, the council:
- Agreed 4-0 with a motion by Atteberry to delay choosing a replacement for Ehrman until three persons who have applied can be interviewed. The three are Trisha Arias, Carl Jacobson Jr., and Don Moore.
- Voted 4-0 to adopt an ordinance that prohibits parking motor homes, campers, or travel trailers on any city street for a period longer than four hours and anytime between 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Amended with a 4-0 vote the city zoning map to reflect changes that have occurred due to recent developments in the north area of the city.
