Each day, Bryan Brown wonders what opportunity might walk through the Canby Planning Department’s door.
Brown, the city’s new planning director, knows that whatever makes its way into his office, it will be unique. That’s one of the things he loves about the job.
“I like the fact that every day a new project walks through the door,” he said. “We’re here to assist and help people with these projects by knowing what policies and planning directives are in place. We want to make sure it’s not just what they envision, but that it is also acceptable to the community.”
Brown said that the planning department is often portrayed as obstructionist, but pointed out that “we are the only ones hired to pro
tect people’s interests by knowing the codes and other ordinances that govern planning. We’re here to enforce the “Bible” that the citizens of Canby have accepted in terms of development.”
Brown takes over for John Williams, who left the city nearly 14 months ago. He started in April and hit the ground running as the city looks at tough budgetary issues. While that process continues, Brown is getting acquainted with his new work place.
“I immediately liked Canby when moving to the region years ago,” he said. “I liked the agricultural base, the rural-city interface and the hometown feel, character and quality of life offered by the community.”
Brown had been in West Linn the past five years as the planning director. Prior to that, he served as the city planner for Stillwater, Okla. He has a master’s degree in geography from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in resource recreation management from Oregon State.
The appeal of Canby stayed with him and when the opportunity to work here arose, he jumped at it.
“Looking for a career change, Canby was highly recommended to me as a place to consider,” Brown said. “The well-rounded and balanced aspect of the community having a good commercial business foundation, along with an industrial employment base and a variety of housing areas and types bodes well for a viable long term future for this community.”
Brown said he’s been impressed with the city staff he’s working with, but did mention his department will be losing an employee soon due to the economic slowdown - due to the significantly reduced number of applications and permits being processed this past year.
“The remaining four staff people and I are gearing up for a very active year with several local planning activities getting underway,” said Brown.
He pointed to three projects on the board for this year that will have a big impact on Canby’s future - transportation system plan update, low impact development subdivision design standards and redevelopment options between SE First Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad between N. Ivy and N. Elm streets.
The TSPU is being funded through a Transportation Growth Management grant and city match through the Department of Transportation and the Department of Land, Conservation and Development. This year-plus program will use the professional services of a couple of consulting firms to complete all the necessary transportation planning activities called for by the state land use planning program and help complete the community’s periodic review requirements.
“Emphasis will be on studying the best possible routing for trucks and balance all the interests within the community and, of course, arrive at a long range prioritized list of transportation improvements and a funding program,” said Brown. “There’s a lot of interest in how truck traffic goes in and out of the Pioneer Industrial Park. That traffic may have to be funneled to other parts of the city and there’s a real concern about where those trucks may go. We’ll have to balance the interests of many people.”
In terms of subdivision design standards, the city needs new subdivision design standards that more accurately reflect what citizens perceive are elements that contribute to a more livable neighborhood and that incorporate progressive, smart development practices, said Brown.
The patch of land next to the railroad tracks along SE First Avenue is being referred to as the Downtown Railroad Parking Lot Redevelopment Concept Plan and will look at alternatives on how to develop that area.
“We want to look at improving that area, perhaps doing some streetscape concepts that will give it some cache, so to speak,” Brown said. “We hope that will help draw people downtown. We’re still not sure what type of concept will come out of this, but we want to work toward it.
“We are working with the consulting firm of OTAK to assist in arriving at the plan also utilizing TGM grant funds,” added Brown.
Brown said the study is slated to be ready for review by the end of October.
The downtown area will draw particular attention over the next year. Brown said that the hope is to push urban renewal district money into more projects in the downtown area.
“So far, that money has been pushed toward the new industrial park, but now it’s time to spread some of that money around,” said Brown. “The city is heading toward an emphasis on downtown redevelopment. The downtown will be a big focus in terms of marketing. There will be a big emphasis on the Main Street program and studies have proven that an emphasis on a city’s downtown core area can help the entire business community thrive.”