The meeting began with a welcome from Lisa Kilders of the Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD) who reminded residents that various tools are available for rent including a weed wrench for pulling scotch broom during this optimal time of year.

Guest speaker Joe Marek from Clackamas County Transportation gave an update on traffic safety projects in the Beavercreek area. Their goal is to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes by 2035. The County takes the Safe System Approach, which focuses on redundancies to help prevent crashes and damage to us. It includes six principles: Death/serious injury is unacceptable; Humans make mistakes; Humans are vulnerable; Responsibility is shared; Safety is proactive; Redundancy is critical. 

Five elements to implement a safe system include: Safe road users; Safe vehicles Safe speeds; Safe roads; Post-crash care. (Details at TowardZeroDeaths.org.) Joe emphasized that safety is holistic and requires all of us to contribute. 

Transportation manages 1,400 miles of road and 2,400 intersections in Clackamas County. They review questions such as: How much safety is enough; are there more crashes than we’d expect in a certain area; and how much will certain changes reduce or eliminate crashes? 

They recently began using software designed for safety engineers that more quickly evaluates crashes and crash patterns, predictions and benefits of safety measures, and examines road segments and intersections. It has enabled them to make quicker investments and spend money wisely–especially as the County has experienced a 30-70% price increase for bids on its projects, which is affecting how many projects it can complete.

The County has added more than 4,000 new signs in the past five years–e.g. curve warning signs, advanced intersection warning signs–as they’re one of the most effective and low cost safety measures. Central Point Road and New Era has been realigned so there’s better visibility as you go south.

Additional signage will be added to Beavercreek Road near Henrici, Ivel, and other areas; and a radar feedback sign is slated to be added to Beavercreek in the 35 mph zone near Beavercreek / Kamrath / Leland starting June 30, 2024 “assuming nothing happens to our budget,” he said. 

Left turn lanes will be added to Redland at Ferguson and Bradley roads with construction to start later this year. A traffic feasibility study is being conducted near Redland and Holly Lane. And several roundabouts will be added including Tolliver and 213; 211 and 224; and others. 

Citizens can review current and historic traffic counts online at https://cmap.clackamas.us/maps/traffic. 

Land Use Decisions:

• Z0523-22 property owner Canby School District #86, applicant Denise Lapp, 14412 S Carus Road, Oregon City, zoned RRFF5, 1.34 acres, requesting a historic landmark demolition – the applicant is proposing to remove or demolish the 1926 historic school house that is the white building located adjacent to Carus elementary school. The historic review board will consider this application and make a recommendation. Approved for removal/relocation, suspending the demolition 60 days. 3/9 Historic Review Board Hearing, 3/22 BCC Hearing.
• Z0565-22 Larry & Nancy Carnahan, 22280 S Beavercreek Road, Beavercreek, zoned EFU, 71.29 acres, requesting a farm stand. Approved subject to conditions.
• Z0009-23 Bradley J White, 22333 S Big Cedar Lane, Beavercreek, zoned RRFF5, 5.02 acres, requesting the renewal of a level 3 home occupation permit to operate machine shop. Approved subject to conditions.
• Z0446-22 Timothy & Nancy McCrary, 26245 S Jones Road, Beavercreek, zoned TBR, 2.728 acres, requesting a property line adjustment. Approved subject to conditions. 
• Z0389-22 Tyler Winslow, 14783 S Henrici Road, Oregon City, zoned RRFF5, requesting the renewal of a Temporary Home of Care. Approved subject to conditions.
• Z0042-23 Darren & Susan Marchisio, 17023 S Winterview Lane, Oregon City, zoned RRFF5, 7.33 acres, requesting the renewal of a temporary home for care. Approved subject to conditions.

BCT submitted an application for a large loan that would enable broadband expansion to bring fiber to every home in the Beavercreek area. They expect to receive an answer in April.

CSWCD hired two new people to help with land management for invasive species. They will be raising the price of rental equipment by $25 per item to help with maintenance costs and upgrades, as they haven’t raised the price in many years. For example, the seed drill has a waitlist of 15 people so they hope to purchase another one.

Next month’s meeting is April 26, 2023, 7:00 p.m. with guest speakers from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department.

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Is there a Beavercreek resident that you’d like to see in the Spotlight? Email editor@beavercreek.org.