Notice of public hearing on proposed updates to water and parks system development charges.

The Lowell City Council will hold a public hearing for Resolutions 800 and 801 on July 18, 2023 at 7:00 pm. The location of the public hearing is the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District Station 1, 389 N. Pioneer St., Lowell, OR 97452. The purpose of the public hearing is to accept comment from the public on proposed increases in the city’s system development charges (SDCs) for the water and parks systems. After the public hearing, the City Council may vote to approve the proposed increases in the city’s SDCs for the water and parks systems.

Resolution 800 will increase the water SDC from $4,575 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) to $7,068 per EDU. Resolution 801 will increase the parks SDC from $985 per EDU to $1,004 per EDU. The reason for the changes is that the city completed a master plan for the water system in 2022 and for the parks system in 2019. The proposed new SDCs are intended to pay for projects identified in both plans that are needed to increase capacity in both systems. The methodology on which the proposed new water SDC is based is the same as the methodology from Resolution 388, which was adopted in 2004. The methodology on which the proposed new parks SDC is based is the same as the methodology from Resolution 389, also adopted in 2004. The only difference is that the capital projects to be financed by the SDCs has been updated with new projects. The methodology supporting the proposed changes in the SDCs is available for public inspection at City Hall, during normal business hours, as well as on the city website.

Members of the public may participate in person or electronically through personal computer or telephone. For instructions on how to join electronically, go to the following web address and select the meeting in question: https://www.ci.lowell.or.us/calendar.

Any written comments concerning Resolutions 800 and 801 received by the city prior to the public hearing will be provided to the City Council. Any interested party may submit oral or written comments at the public hearings.

Questions concerning Resolutions 800 and 801 may be directed to City Administrator Jeremy Caudle by telephone at (541) 937-2157; by email at admin@ci.lowell.or.us; through mail at PO Box 490, Lowell, OR 97452; or in-person at Lowell City Hall.

Pursuant to O.R.S. 223.304(6), the city maintains a list of persons who have made a written request for notification prior to adoption or amendment of a methodology for any system development charge. As of the date of this notice, no person has signed up for the notification list. To be notified of any future changes to SDC methodologies, please contact Lowell City Hall.