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Siuslaw News Friday, October 27, 2023 Florence, Oregon

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Transportation plan approved

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

In what seemed like a rather routine vote Oct. 16, the Florence City Council approved its Transportation System Plan, along with its necessary amendments and ordinances. However, the approval marks the end of a long process that will now serve as a guide for future transportation planning in Florence. According to the city website, the transportation plan was to be updated in 2012 to guide transportation planning for the next 25 years. “In developing the Updated TSP, the city of Florence has identified the following notable considerations including, but not limited to: seasonal traffic impacts; topographic constraints; parking management opportunities and challenges; tsunami and earthquake resiliency concerns; and opportunities to better support bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and access options, in general,” the

website states. The city has held several open houses and meetings regarding the plan, and a draft was prepared June 29. What it means Community Development Director Wendy Farley-Campbell said she has been involved in the TSP since the start and it also took teamwork by staff from the City Manager’s Office, Public Works and Community Development. Asked what the approval will mean to community members, Farley-Campbell said they can now look at the TSP and see transportation improvements planned for where they live, work and travel. “They can see if there will be a safer, more convenient, or less expensive way to get their destinations,” she said Oct. 23. “With the multi-use path being built maybe now they can buy that bike they have been wanting since the route will be safer for them, or maybe taking the bus will now be

an option since the routes are getting shorter and more areas will be served. Maybe they will be able to walk to the store since sidewalks are planned for the area.” She said visitors can look forward to more recreational trail options, as well as transit options to get from Florence to Eugene and farther east. “Will Old Town have a new traffic flow for Bay Street, new wider sidewalks…maybe?” she said. “The city will be leading that community conversation in a future project.” Asked what parts of the TSP required the most time, research and attention Farley-Campbell said it was important that the consultants used suitable information and correct assumptions. “Community Development and Public Works staff spent considerable time reviewing the tech memos shown in Volume 2 being particular to ensuring the methodology used to inform project decisions was fair to those

whom would be affected,” she said. “The Stakeholder Committee also cross-checked the work and provided feedback or ground-truthing on the function of certain transportation systems or congestion and connection problems in the city.” She added that the project task of organizing, promoting, and hosting the citizen involvement and public input sessions needed consistent time dedication. “This part of the project was very significant to ensure that diverse perspectives were solicited on how transportation works or doesn’t in Florence and getting input into what the gaps are in the Florence transportation systems,” she said. “The 2023 TSP speaks to the advances in transportation technology and the broadening diversity of community expectations,” she said, when asked which part she is most happy with. “It reflects a national trend to become less vehicular centric, offering more in

the way of other modes of transportation. This specific feature of the new plan takes a big step to considering all of Florence’s citizens especially those that do not drive or own an automobile and those that want to drive less or own fewer automobiles. Another exciting feature of the new TSP is a planned Tsunami evacuation route from Rhododendron Dr. to Oak St.to be located somewhere between 46th Street and Munsel Lake Road.” Asked what changes the community will see first, now that the plan is approved, Farley-Campbell said completed and underway projects will be celebrated, followed by staff updating capital improvement plans and begin the process of budgeting and grant research to fund future priority projects. However, successes came not only from staff time, but a community planning effort. “Citizens were offered methods to participate through the volunteer

committee, three public in-person and virtual open houses, and an online comment portal,” she said. “City amenities are their best when citizens engage in their planning. In Spring 2024, the City will be recruiting for committee volunteers to give feedback on the refinement plans for the transportation projects and other exciting projects in the City’s work plan.” She suggested that any member of the community who wants to positively influence the future of Florence should do their part and volunteer. The TSP was a joint program of the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, and funding came from a Transportation and Growth Management Program grant and city match. More information can be found at the City of Florence website at https://www.projectcomment.com/florencetsp.

New restaurant opens at Reedsport Golf Course

Reed joins Siuslaw News From Staff Reports While Tony Reed is still a newcomer to the Oregon coast, he is certainly no stranger to the newsroom - or the coast. He’s been reporting for northern California newspapers since 1999 and has won several state and national awards for his work. Most recently, he hails from Newport, where he’s been a reporter and photographer since May. Prior to that, he worked in Weaverville County, California where he was part of the Trinity Journal’s news team. He’s also worked for Media Newsgroup papers in Clearlake, Lakeport, and Fort Bragg, Calif., as well as the Del Norte Triplicate in Crescent City, Calif. “I’ve lived on the coast for almost 20 years,” he said. “It’s where I feel most at home, most alive and most inspired. It’s been a dream come true to get back the coast and now I get to live in Florence? I’m pinching myself.” He’s covered the police, fire and emergency news beat, as well

The new restaurant and bar offers sweeping Club One manager Crystal Litton prepares for a views of the Reedsport Golf Course. catering event on Saturday, October 21. Tony Reed as courts, government, community news and environmental issues. He’s an avid motorcyclist and mechanic, a former volunteer firefighter/first responder, writer and musician who spends much of his spare time doing scenic and model photography. As associate editor of the Siuslaw News, Tony will still be reporting and taking photos but will also be responsible for compiling print and digital content. “I am excited to have Tony join our team in Florence,” Editor David Rupkalvis said. “He is a talented and dedicated journalist who loves telling stories that impact communites like Florence.”

By BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media A new restaurant, “Club One,” is helping to reinvigorate a historically-popular location in the Reedsport community. Club One employees said patrons have been excited to be able to dine at the restaurant and bar located at Reedsport Golf Course. “Everybody has been super happy when they walk in,” said Crystal Lit-

Disposal changes approved in Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News The Florence City Council approved the removal of personal garbage cans from the city’s rate schedule while also voting postpone a rate review meeting for an-

INSIDE Obituaries — A2 Sports — B1

ton, Club One restaurant manager. “I hear this used to just be one of the most popular places in all of Reedsport. The bar was always packed on Friday and Saturdays. So we’re really hoping to get that vibe goClub One offers a variety of restaurant menu ing again,” she said. The space was renovat- options, catering event items and specialty ed before the restaurant cocktails from the bar. opened. It offers sweeping “We’ve really nailed it casual, but sprinkled with views of the golf course. with the food. We have an more upscale items. A new chef also brings excellent chef,” she said. The menu includes “lite a variety of quality cuisine The restaurant manag- bites” of crab stuffed to the menu, Litton said. er describes the menu as See CLUB page 4A

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — 8-10

other year at its Oct. 16 meeting. According to Community Development Director Wendy Farley-Campbell, waste hauler County Transfer and Recycling requested the changes to Environmental Management Advisory Committee

and a public process has occurred. CTR acquired the former hauling service last year and has been updating equipment and wants to only use only containers that work with its hauling trucks. Farley-Campbell said

the first request asked to adjust the rate schedule “for a new classification of service” and the second asked to postpone a rate review. Since CTR acquired Central Coast Disposal a year ago, it has been See CITY page 6A

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