Tall apartments proposed for singe family zone in madras

We are required to send a corrected “Notice of Intent to Appeal”, because although we used the list of names and addresses that the City provided, some addresses and even names were incorrect; Plus, correct other errors. This is revised and submitted to Land Use Board of Appeals. (LUBA}.

You may know by now that the City of Madras, with advice from the “Community Development Director” Nick Snead, has added “Apartments” to the R-1 “Single Family Housing” Zone, so now there is no exclusive Single Family Zone.  We believe this is the only town in Oregon to have added apartments to R-1. The State has mandated that towns of OVER 10,000 have to add “Duplexes” to the R-1 Zone. but not apartments.  And Madras’ population is not even 10,000, so that law DOES NOT even APPLY.  Mr. Snead wants apartments allowed anywhere!

The apartments allowed in R-1 in Madras can be 2 stories high.  The developer from Bend wants to build 3-story buildings on the property he bought across Oak Street from the Hospital, and that is why he wanted the City to change the Zone to R-2, which allows that, and City of Madras went along with that!  The City Council stated in a meeting that they would be SUED if they did not change the zoning for these builders!  That is why we have this issue of tall buildings proposed in the back yards of houses on Hillcrest Street and Chinook Place elder care to the east and Shady Land to the north of the 3-acre property. and many people will lose their views of town and Mt. Jefferson, and the privacy of their back yards.  That will decrease the value of these properties, because the view is an important asset. 

There is another side to this, and that is from the point of view of the low-income people who would be living there.  It is not a “walkable” location, which all towns are trying to achieve.  You can’t walk safely to anywhere except the hospital, because there are no SIDEWALKS.  Most of the places people would want to go are SOUTH of town, and this location to the north is too far away.  They have to put gas in their car to go anywhere:  the fast food restaurants, Bi-Mart, the Dollar Tree and Dollar General, the thrift store, Catholic Church, Mexican market, on and on.  They are all to the south except McDonald’s and Safeway,  and this place is far from the things they need!  The traffic from over 100 cars in 72 apartments and the foot traffic in your neighborhood will affect everyone!  The City seems to be working for the builders, so this could happen anywhere in town.

The third issue is that taking our case to LUBA will cost probably $15,000 for the lawyer plus lots of time and work.  Marie has put up the $300 to file this “Intent” document, and she has $5,000 that the lawyer will want for a retainer, but it will cost more than that, and we will need contributions from people who want to save their properties. Please contact Marie Easter, 541-475-2957, or Bill Atherton, 541-777-7444, with money or ideas!