A Measure Proposing Annexation of 6.30 Acres of Property

Question: Shall the property located east of Wallace Road NW (1500 block of Wallace Road NW) be annexed?

Summary: Approval of this measure would annex approximately 6.30 acres of property located east of Wallace Road NW (1500 block of Wallace Road NW) to the City of Salem. The property is within the Urban Growth Boundary. Upon annexation, the property would be zoned City of Salem RM2 (Multiple Family Residential).

Explanatory Statement:

If approved, this measure would result in annexation of 6.30 acres to the City of Salem. The City Council has found the proposed annexation meets all applicable land use laws of the State of Oregon and the City of Salem. The City Charter requires submitting this annexation to the voters.

The property proposed for annexation is generally located east of Wallace Road NW (1500 block of Wallace Road NW). The entire property is located within the Urban Growth Boundary, and is designated in the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan as "Multi-Family Residential." Zoning of the property, if annexed into the City would be RM2 (Residential Multiple Family 2). The RM2 zoning would typically permit multiple family residences with a maximum density of twenty-eight dwelling units per acre.

This annexation was requested by petition of the property owner(s). The annexation would place the property within the City of Salem, subject to city tax rates. If annexed, the property would be withdrawn from the Salem Suburban Rural Fire Protection District, and would thereafter receive fire and other services from the City of Salem.

Development of property is not required at the time of annexation. When development occurs, it must conform to the zoning designation then in effect. The zoning of any property may be changed from time to time following notice and public hearing as required by law.

The financial impact of this annexation on the city’s general fund depends upon the nature and appraised value of the eventual development. Since development is not known at the time of annexation, only average estimates of costs and revenues can be made. Assuming average land and improvement values, residential densities, persons per household, and other indicators commonly found within the zone, and assuming the existing levels of city services are maintained, an average RM2 zone development on this property could result in a $13,667 annual loss to the city’s general fund (year 2000 dollars). If the city’s levels of service are enhanced in the future, this loss could correspondingly increase.

School funding for operations and maintenance is largely obtained through the state allocation of income tax. The state’s current allocation is $4926 per student. Currently, the Salem-Keizer School District estimates the annual cost per student to be $6500. The difference between the state allocation and anticipated costs is made up through unexpended prior year budget savings and interest earnings. The annexation area is located within the district, and the district is obligated to provide educational services whether or not the site is annexed to the city.

Additional information and findings regarding the proposed annexation are contained in the staff reports dated August 6, 2001, August 13, 2001 and August 20, 2001. Copies of the staff reports are available for public review on the city’s web site; at the Salem Public Library; and at the Salem City Hall, Department of Community Development, 555 Liberty Street SE, Salem, Oregon.

Argument in Favor:

1500 Block - East of Wallace Road, N. W. Salem, Oregon 97304

I am owner Florence Crawford, a retired senior citizen who has lived on this property since 1961.

The property was included in the second choice site for the new West Salem High School. It is close to shopping, the post office, banks, churches and the bus service. It is bordered on the north and west sides by property already annexed into the city. The property is within the Urban Growth Boundary, and is already connected to city water; thus is in a prime location for further community development. The property is within School District 24-J and any students that live here would be in the 24-J system, whether or not the property is annexed. The inclusion of the property would add to taxes collected by the city to help pay for police, fire and other city needs.

My deceased husband Frank and I worked hard to create a value in the property that we could use as a resource for our retirement income. Annexation is a necessary part of this plan. Not being annexed would have a detrimental impact on my ability to support myself in my retirement.

(This information provided by Florence C. Crawford)

Argument in Opposition:

CityWatch opposes approval of this 6.3-acre multi-family residential (R2) annexation request for the following reasons:

1. Traffic along Wallace Road, even after the recent widening of the road, is growing increasingly more congested. Traffic congestion is often worst right at the bridgehead, especially during rush hours.

2 . Opponents of the proposal to site the new West Salem High School in this area pointed with considerable alarm at the effects the school would have on Wallace Road traffic. Addition of this multifamily development, along with four or five more now in the pipeline, would have the same effect. Development here, if any, should be limited to single-family (R1).

3. This parcel is one of several planned multi-family parcels whose eastern borders lie along the route of a planned collector route to be named Marine Drive. Development of each parcel will include completion of that segment of Marine Drive adjacent to that parcel. Thus, each parcel developed will increase pressure to develop all other parcels, so as to complete Marine Drive. Since Marine Drive will run only from Riverbend at the north, to a network of local streets around the bridgehead at its southern end, this will cause massive increases in congestion at its southern terminus.

4. Finally, though the city is making progress in ascertaining and publishing the expected costs of each proposed annexation, certain costs such as fire, police, library expansion and others are still not included in those numbers. There is no way to know how much this proposed annexation is likely to cost the taxpayers, but there will be some net loss to the general fund.

More information may be obtained from CityWatch. Call 503-362-0619, or write P. O. Box 142, Salem, 97308. Or visit www.salemcitywatch.com between October 24 and November 6.