Oregon City commission refers Fenske annexation to November ballot after lengthy transportation, sewer and funding debate

The Oregon City Commission agreed to refer proposed annexation AN99-07 (the Fenske petition) to the November general election after an extended staff presentation and public hearing that centered on transportation impacts, system development charges and infrastructure timing.

The commission received a detailed transportation briefing from city transportation planner Nancy Kershaw and staff, heard applicant testimony and received public comment from nearby residents about traffic, road maintenance and past site contamination remediation. Commissioners debated whether to place the measure on the May or November ballot, asked whether annexation should be delayed until a revised SDC methodology and Transportation System Plan (TSP) are adopted, and discussed the city’s agreements with Clackamas County over road maintenance funding.

Staff and applicant overview: Nancy Kershaw, the city transportation planner, summarized findings from the draft Transportation System Plan used to forecast growth to 2018. Kershaw said the draft identifies a series of intersection and roadway capacity improvements for the south-end area near Central Point, McCord and South End roads, including signalization and lane improvements at several intersections and new…