Hamlet meetings typically happen on the third Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Beavercreek Grange; however, the November meeting is happening on the 15th so as not to interfere with the Thanksgiving holiday. Meetings include guest speakers from the community, land use applications and activities, and Hamlet business, as well as serving as an open forum for Hamlet residents.

The Hamlet of Beavercreek held the board of directors election on October 25, 2017, at the Beavercreek Grange. A representative from Clackamas County, Katie Wilson, was present to count votes. The new directors serving two-year terms are Cheryl Boffard (re-elected), Jack Hipp (newly elected), and Kenny Sernach (newly elected). Jack and Kenny are taking the place of outgoing directors-at-large Norm Andreen who has served on the CPO and board of the Hamlet for twenty years, and John Burke who has served for six.

Directors continuing their two-year terms include board chair Tammy Stevens, vice-chair Bill Merchant, secretary and registrar William Bender, and speaker/corresponding secretary Christine Kosinski. Please join us in thanking Norm and John for their service, and welcoming the new directors! Notes can be sent to info@beavercreek.org.

The Bulletin will write more in-depth community spotlights with board members in the coming months. If you have questions for them, email editor@beavercreekbulletin.org.

Dick Orr, customer development consultant at Beaver Creek Cooperative Telephone, reminded residents that the annual Craft Bazaar is happening November 11 at the elementary school with over 100 vendors and an expected attendance of 1,200 to 1,600 people throughout the day. A shuttle will be running from NW Contexture Church to the school. There’s a free pancake breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. sponsored by Citizen’s Bank, along with other entertainment and food options. Funds from vendors who purchased booth space are being given to the Beavercreek Park project on Leland Road.

Dave McNeel, president of the Clackamas River Water (CRW) board, shared updates on bonded Backbone Projects that were created to meet current and future water needs for the district, including several affecting the Hamlet of Beavercreek. Twelve projects were designed to improve pumping, distribution, and storage of water from the CRW treatment plant east to a proposed reservoir on 152nd Avenue, and south across the Carver Bridge to the Redland and Beavercreek pressure zones. Improvements should help to reduce fire insurance costs for rural residents who need to be within 1,000 feet of water hydrants, as more water will be readily available to fire fighters.

Dave stressed the importance of domestic water in the event that wells start failing due to drought, growing populations, or other circumstances. Because there is only one water source to service everyone from West Linn to Oregon City to Beavercreek, these projects are crucial to ensuring access to clean water sources long-term. It’s unclear which residents would be prioritized in the event of a water shortage. Now is an important time to get involved to ensure the County understands the importance of clean water to rural residents who care for livestock, agriculture, and homesteads. Learn more at http://www.crwater.com/ including when and where public meetings are taking place.

Pam Furlan, rental coordinator for the Beavercreek Grange, shared that they have been brainstorming ideas on how to collaborate more with the Hamlet, the Grange, and the community. They discussed the idea of hosting a holiday party with dinner and entertainment on the same day as the annual Hamlet tree lighting ceremony. The board liked this idea and will be discussing in the next planning meeting.

For land use applications, two different residents applied to renew temporary dwelling for care permits – one on Holly Lane and one on Beavercreek Road. Both received community support. Metro made application with the City of Oregon City submitting a site plan for a public nature park project at Newell Creek Canyon Natural Area. If residents would like to give testimony in support or against, they can do so at at the scheduled City of Oregon City meeting.

Every year Clackamas County requests input from residents for land use and transportation projects they would like to see completed in the following two years. They are seeking input from all hamlets and CPOs (including Beavercreek) on projects to be completed in years 2018 and 2019. In the past, residents have suggested projects such as shoulders on the road for pedestrians and bikes, code enforcement, and ditches to be filled. At the meeting, residents suggested better safety for the intersection at Beavercreek, Leland and Kamrath roads; better safety for the intersection at Beavercreek, Yeoman, and Steiner roads near the elementary school; and cutting back the bushes to the right of the post office as you exit. Anyone in Clackamas County can submit a request to the Clackamas County Planning & Transportation Department and/or suggestions can be emailed to info@beavercreek.org.

A final land use application was submitted by the Willamette United Football Club in the Stafford Hamlet requesting a Planning Director interpretation of the zoning & development ordinance within RRFF-5 zones. The alternative approach would be for the club to apply for a non-conforming use and to get community support. The club wishes to build a sports field, indoor training facility, concessions stand, playground, amphitheater, covered picnic area, offices, storage, and more. This is important for residents to consider, as an ordinance change would mean that anyone with RRFF-5 zoning could use their property in a similar fashion. The majority of Hamlet residents voted against the change, with two abstaining, and one voting in support of the ordinance change.

During the Speaker & Transportation update it was noted that Winco is taking over the former Haggen’s store on Highway 213, which may bring more congestion to that area. Residents discussed the congestion that happens near Oregon City High School, in particular after most kids have left for the day around 3:30 p.m., and whether there were alternatives to the 20 mile-per-hour that could be implemented to keep traffic flowing better. Debate ensued as to the whether a higher mph would not be as safe for high school drivers coming in and out of that parking lot, and/or what other alternatives could be put in place. A flashing light would be legal in school zone to indicate whether children are present, and allow for higher speeds if not. Residents weighing in on these issues is important for the broader community so please share feedback in future Hamlet meetings.

All Oregonians are invited to provide input on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) that outlines priorities for 2018 to 2021 including 43 projects slated for Clackamas County.

Resident Amy Manning brought up another transportation-related issue for Hamlet input. The lack of parking at Beavercreek Elementary School has created serious safety concerns for parents escorting children to and from school, for emergency services such as ambulance and fire who cannot access all roads beyond Yeoman and Steiner, and residents who experience congestion and delays during school pickup and dropoff times. Insufficient parking, no street shoulders, and location next to the fast-moving Beavercreek Road is creating a number of safety issues and bottlenecks. Amy asked residents for input on how to approach the issue, with many suggesting to create a council comprised of all affected parties to collectively solve the issue. If you’d like to participate, call Amy at 503-632-8785.

The board received a letter from County Commissioner Sonya Fischer who followed up on a number of issues that were raised by Hamlet members in a previous meeting. 

The Hamlet of Beavercreek is here to serve the community and to protect and preserve the rural culture of the area. Monthly meetings are the best place to share feedback and learn how to get involved. We hope you’ll join us!