Applegate Strategic Plan

Goal I

LAND USE

The land is maintained over the long term without over-exploitation and in a manner consistent with rural values and low population density. Local community standards are reflected in land use decision-making.

Strategy A

Create better communication with each of the counties regarding land use preferences.

Action

Monitor building codes.

Ensure adequate notification of neighbors

Create citizen board to review land use decisions

Petition county to review downzoning policy

Enforce riparian laws

Develop tax benefit for conservative building

Develop workshop which brings community standards to discussions of land use control.

Strategy II

Community growth should be controlled, managed, intentional consistent with ability of land (water) to sustain. (unincorporated community)

Strategy III

Facilitate citizen participation and communication (unincorporated community)

Actions

Notify local organizations (ie. Applegator, etc) in addition to required notifications

Hold evening meetings in Applegate on land use actions affecting local property

More meetings and printed notices on conservation easements

GOAL II

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Our forests, waterways and wildlife are healthy, accessible and provide a living for some residents. Salmon are back in the rivers. We do not clearcut our forests: we replant where we have cut. We have reduced fire hazards in forests and rangelands. Noxious weeds are contained.

Comments

Stop spraying to contain weeds

Work with Rural Fire Department and ODF to educate/take action.

Strategy A

Reduce fire hazards

Actions

Replant Humbug area (more trees) develop incentives

Promote 50’-100’ rings around homes. (I am not going to remove my shade!!!)

Work with local fire departments

Restore Salmon Habitat

Promote more access to river for local residents

Signs fee boxes organizations purchase access

Support forest-based employment

Foster local & state support for stewardship of the natural environment (unincorporated community)

Comments

How about light pollution – i.e. shield the bright lights so that the community can view the night sky. Some small communities have ordinances regarding this

Mercury vapor lamps

Glare blinds people walking, driving

Nobody else said anything about the value of the environment including beauty and sounds we love, which brings peace of mind and heart so necessary for well being. The right of all beings to live and not be murdered for peoples convenience (disposable ??? etc) Quality of our water, and quiet that we all want and need, and share. No poison sprays!!! No burning of plastic trash!! (toxic fumes) I walk and have to breathe diesel and other car exhaust and hate it!!! Education about lifestyle and how it affects environment---too much consumption unnecessary.

GOAL III

LOCAL ECONOMY

We want a range of economic choices that will allow our children to stay here if they want. We want to support local agriculture and forestry employment as well as cottage industries and home-based businesses. We want to develop an internal economy in the valley which fosters intra-valley activity, reduces leakage of dollars----, reduces need for more traffic or population.

Sustainable development must be compatible with our unique rural lifestyle and be considered desirable by the local community.

Strategies

Incorporate plan for economic vitality

Support present level of tourism without encouraging destination resorts or greater numbers.

Support forest-based employment consistent with ecosystem management.

Promote economic development activities that are locally sustainable and support a dispersed model of commercial, agricultural and/or industrial activity (unincorporated community)

Continue the directory of goods and services. Bartering. Support local business not corporations

GOAL IV

Political Voice Goal

Develop greater political voice for the Applegate Valley by finding mechanisms to communicate more effectively within the valley and with the larger institutions which make decisions about our valley.

Strategies

Submit strategic plan to relevant organizations (cty commissioners, USFS, BLM, etc.)

Use Applegate Partnership, other groups (GACDC) and residents to advocate for Applegate

Organize to preserve valued diversity----connect to “come together in the middle.

Town hall meetings

Develop community structure so people can rely on each other in bad times

Use RVCOG’s Rural Unincorporated Program to communicate Applegate interests to the counties.

GOAL V

Transportation Goal

We want safe highways, accessible to bikes and pedestrians, without too much traffic and with some form of public transportation.

Comments

Heavy traffic is becoming a problem. Too much noise. Need safer bikeways. Public transportation? Maybe.

Strategies

Improve safety of Highway 238 without widening, straightening or increasing traffic. Bike lanes - Passing lanes - Pull outs

& walking – not enough room

Reduce traffic

Ask ACF to organize carpools

Explore shuttle business and grants to subsidize

Organize schedule of carpools

Explore creation of bike and foot trail systems, e.g. Thompson Creek to Williams

Maintain current level of transportation facilities (unincorporated communities)

I can’t drive and rely on hitch hiking. Sure wish for buses.