Grants Pass City Council Approved City Expansion & Affordable Housing Plans

The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance annexing the property at 2117 Allen Creek Road into the city limits to facilitate the expansion of Allen Creek Road to include the development of a regional stormwater facility. Public Works requested the annexation of the 3.25-acre property. The ordinance was approved unanimously with five "yes" votes. The Council then approved the zoning of the annexed property to R-2 with five voting "yes" and one abstention. The second reading will be at the next business session. An ordinance amending the comprehensive plan map and the zoning map for property located at 235 NW Scenic Drive was approved unanimously. The land will be transferred to Home Bridging GP to create a moderate-high density development of 22 moderately-priced cottages available for seniors 62 and older. The fifth ordinance of the night vacating the property lines between three lots at 670 and 680 Rogue River Highway to allow the further development of a self-storage facility was also approved unanimously. Another unanimous vote okayed a resolution revising the development agreement with Chrisman Development, Inc., reducing the number of affordable housing units from 66 to 51 on the surplus property known as the SW Ramsey Avenue. The project has had funding problems, but with fewer units the project is more financially feasible.

(Thank you to Chuck Benson for covering this meeting.) ...Read more

Board Adopted Four Ordinances to Make Needed Changes to Josephine County Code

The Board of Commissioners on Wednesday adopted four ordinances that made some necessary alterations to the Josephine County Code. Following public hearings on the second readings of the ordinances, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the changes involving the Southern Oregon Library Information System (SOLIS), Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS), Public Works Revolving Fund and Law Library. Assistant Legal Counsel Leah Harper testified that SOLIS was adopted in 1999 as a library network connection for Josephine, Jackson and Klamath counties -- but since Josephine Community Library District is no longer run by the County, it is being repealed. The chapter on LEDS was created in 2002 for Human Resources (HR) to conduct background checks on employees and volunteers, but HR is now using a third-party system and no longer needs LEDS. It is also being repealed. Harper testified that Public Works Revolving Fund was established in 1991 to administer state funding for road maintenance and repairs, but it was closed about 20 years ago and is being repealed. A chapter on the Law Library was amended to offer more flexible hours for legal staff and the public. The Law Library will stay open as long as the state continues to fund its operation. ...Read more

GP/JoCo Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Terry Hopkins as New CEO and President

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Terry Hopkins has been selected as its new CEO and President. A local entrepreneur with deep roots in the community, Hopkins brings over 25 years of business management experience in Southern Oregon to his new role. A lifelong resident of Grants Pass, Hopkins is a graduate of Grants Pass High School. His career has been marked by a commitment to the local economy and community, with an extensive background in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Hopkins has worked with Thomason Hospitality Group and served as a business advocate for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. Most notably, he opened and currently operates the popular Grants Pass bar and restaurant Steam Distillery which launched in 2021. Hopkins' appointment marks a promising new chapter for the Chamber of Commerce as it continues to support and advocate for local businesses and economic growth in the region. He starts his new job on June 24th. ...Read more