Corvallis e-News | September 2023

In this issue: Free street trees, info on Measure 2-141, and a neighborhood bikeway update!

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Free Street Trees from Parks & Recreation!

The Parks & Recreation Department has set a goal of planting 200 trees in the public right-of-way over the next year.

This means there are plenty of opportunities for you to request a FREE tree to be planted in the median, parkway, or planter strip on your block.

The first step is to request an inspection from the Parks & Recreation Urban Forester, who will help analyze the available space, identify any underground utilities, and account for proximity to other infrastructure. If the location fits the criteria, you can help choose the tree from a list of pre-approved species that have been selected based on their appropriateness for right-of-way planting.

To get started, email Jennifer Killian at jennifer.killian@corvallisoregon.gov or call 541-754-1723.

11th Street Neighborhood Bikeway Update

On 11th Street at the intersections of Cleveland Avenue, Grant Avenue, and Buchanan Avenue, the Public Works Department's Active Transportation Group installed a pilot treatment in 2022. We added white flex posts and paint to carve out an inexpensive, quick build curb extension solution to shorten the crossing distance, slow turning vehicles, and give greater visibility to pedestrians.

After monitoring for a year, we noted that the accumulation of debris and vegetation and difficulty sweeping the corners made this treatment a maintenance concern. The posts were recently removed and reflective pavement markers installed to highlight the areas we hope turning vehicles will avoid.

Our aim is to continue prioritizing people crossing the street by foot. Eventually, as scheduling and funding allow, we hope to install concrete curb extensions in some of the locations delineated with markings and reflectors. These are a common treatment in many locations around Corvallis and are familiar to both drivers and pedestrians.

Learn more about other enhancements and benefits Neighborhood Bikeways bring along with helpful FAQ’s by visiting: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/neighborhood-bikeways

New Emerald Ash Borer Resource Page

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small, wood boring beetle that attacks and kills all ash trees. It was discovered in Oregon in 2022 and has not been spotted (yet) in Corvallis, but we're getting ready for its inevitable arrival. This new resource page on the City website offers information about the beetle, its history and behavior, tips on detecting it, as well as prevention. The page also includes contact information for reporting possible EAB sightings. 

First discovered near Detroit, Michigan in 2002, this beetle has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across the Midwestern and Eastern United States. Native to Asia, it is thought that EAB arrived on infested shipping material. Although the beetle can fly, it is transported easily and across great distances in infested dead ash logs and firewood. Unlike in its native range, EAB has no known predators here, resulting in up to a 99% mortality rate. In Oregon, our native Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) is at high risk. Depending on the size and condition of the tree, it can die within 3-5 years of the infestation.

We're staying vigilant here in Corvallis as we prepare for the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer. You can do your part by reading up on this invasive bug and learning how to properly identify it. 

Measure 2-141: Proposed Ballot Measure for the Library and Parks & Recreation

In November 2023, Corvallis voters will have an opportunity to consider a proposed ballot measure which would continue the existing five-year operating levy that funds services in Parks & Recreation and at the Library, as well as the City’s annual social services grants. These two pages include answers to some common questions about services that would be funded if the levy passes.

English: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/community/page/proposed-ballot-measure-l...

Español: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/community/page/medida-electoral-propuest...

City Releases Results from 2022 Land Use Questionnaire

Every five years the City of Corvallis asks community members to weigh in on land uses throughout the community – what you like, what you don’t like, and what you envision for the future. The project is called Corvallis Community Conversations, and the goal is to get input from community members about future land use patterns and decisions. 

In order to get into the details, the City is separated into six study areas, and questionnaires were prepared for each. Community members were encouraged to fill out questionnaires for one, a few, or all of the study areas. Your responses provide City Staff with opinions on land use, growth patterns, community values, economic issues and the ability to compare how community impressions may vary across various parts of the City. Conducting this survey in 5-year snapshots also provides City Staff with insights into how communities have changed since the last questionnaire five years ago.

We encourage all community members to review the 2022 questionnaire results as well as the prior 2017 questionnaire results and reflect on the changes.  Both the 2022 and 2017 questionnaire results can be viewed online here:  Corvallis Community Conversations - Land Use Questionnaire | Corvallis Oregon

Climate-Friendly Areas Draft Study Now Available

As part of the state's adopted Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) program, larger communities such as Corvallis need to designate one or more Climate-Friendly Areas (CFAs) by the end of 2024. The program envisions CFAs as areas where residents, workers, and visitors can meet most of their daily needs without having to drive. These compact areas are planned to contain a mix of land uses and multi-modal transportation options. Cumulatively, these designated areas must have the capacity to accommodate 30% of current and future housing needs as determined by the city’s Housing Needs Analysis, which in Corvallis is 8,174 dwelling units (30% of the 27,246 units needed by 2036).

There are two phases to CFA adoption: communities are asked to study potential CFAs by December 31, 2023 (Phase 1), and adopt these areas by December 31, 2024 (Phase 2). Locally, the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) is providing technical assistance to Corvallis and draft a CFA Study for Phase 1. The study provides necessary background information for the City to make a final decision on which potential CFAs to adopt.

Following several public engagement sessions and meetings with community stakeholders in late 2022 and the first half of 2023, OCWCOG completed a draft study at the end of June. OCWCOG's draft study, along with a Community Engagement Report from 3J Consulting, is available for the public to review on the City's CFEC program webpage (see the bottom of the page under "Supporting Documents"): www.corvallisoregon.gov/climatefriendly

Please note that the draft CFA Study is a work in progress; it is not the final product, and additional amendments are anticipated in response to continued input from DLCD, the community, and local decision makers before it is finally submitted to the state at the end of 2023. The final draft will be available for public comment at that point.

If you have any questions or comments about the draft CFA Study, please contact Rian Amiton, Senior Planner, at (541) 766-6573 or rian.amiton@corvallisoregon.gov.

Benton County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Survey

Emergency planners at Benton County and the City of Corvallis have been hard at work updating our Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. This is the resource that helps us identify and plan for natural hazards in our community, and also unlock financial resources from the state & federal government to help address them.

Please take a moment and share your feedback via the survey link below.

English: www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRXWWS 

Español: www.surveymonkey.com/r/X36VTS8

What's New at the Library this Month?

There's a lot going on at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Check out any of the events below to learn more!

  • Storytime:  10:30am Tuesday-Friday, Main Meeting Room .  Tuesdays: Infant, Wednesdays: Toddler,  Thursdays: Preschool, Fridays, Family.  Drop in.

  • Free Employment Help:  Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

  • Tech Help Lab:   1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd floor Classroom, Drop in for free, basic, one-on-one tech help from a library staff member. Bring your computer or device or use one of ours

  • Fiber Arts Meetup:  September 12, 5:30-7, Main Meeting room.  Adults are invited to bring your own fiber arts project to work on or learn coral reef-type hyperbolic crochet, using our supplies or yours.

  • Random Review:  September 13, 12-1pm, virtual.  Dwaine Plaza reviews The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee   Register for the virtual Review here

  • Take Apart Workshop: September 19, 4:00-5:30, Main Meeting room.  Take small appliances and electronics apart in this hands-on workshop.  Ages 10+

  • Puzzle Swap:  September 30, 12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room.  Bring your puzzles to swap!  All ages and levels welcome.

  • Get a Library Card: Sign up for a library card and get access to all services and materials including placing holds on materials,  downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, streaming movies and more!

  • Home Delivery Service:  Get your holds delivered to you!  Delivery is available to patrons with current library cards who live within the library service district.

  • Books & More from Home:  Read ebooks, download audiobooks and magazines, or watch streaming video all from the comfort of your home with your library card!

  • Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!

     

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