City of GP to Hold Monday Evening Listening and Learning Session on House Bill 3115
The City of Grants Pass will hold a Listening and Learning Session next week that is aimed at shedding light on a state law that governs how cities must regulate their unhoused populations. The session regarding House Bill 3115 is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street. House Bill 3115 -- enacted in 2021 -- requires cities that wish to regulate the use of public property by people experiencing homelessness to enact "objectively reasonable" time, place and manner restrictions. Unfortunately, making sense of what constitutes "objectively reasonable" regulation is tricky. This session will provide an overview of where things stand legally with House Bill 3115 including insight into some recent court decisions that have attempted to interpret "objectively reasonable." There will be an opportunity for people to submit questions regarding this topic before the session begins -- either in person or via email -- to "kfrerk@grantspassoregon.gov." ...Read more

Applications Open for 8 Positions on New GP Development Code Review Task Force
Applications are now being accepted for eight positions on the new Grants Pass Development Code Review Task Force. The appointments will conclude at the end of the panel's mission. The purpose of the Task Force is to review and evaluate the Grants Pass Municipal Development Code to help simplify and streamline the City's land use process and various development standards. The desired outcome is a written recommendation to the City Council containing specific actions to modernize the code to reduce ambiguities and barriers to new construction investment and development projects within the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary. Special qualifications for these positions are a licensed civil engineer or architect, local builder, residential developer, commercial developer, land use attorney, real estate agent/broker and an at-large citizen representative. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 22nd. The appointments will be made on June 4th. ...Read more

Mount Ashland Ski Area Announces Ariel and Windsor Chairlift Replacements in 2026
The Mount Ashland Ski Area has announced a transformative infrastructure project to replace two of its most iconic chairlifts. After more than four decades of service, Ariel and Windsor Chairlifts are set to be replaced with new, state-of-the-art fixed-grip triple chairs, with the project set to begin in Spring 2026. Ariel Chairlift, in operations since 1964, and Windsor Chairlift, which began service in 1978, have been cornerstones of Mount Ashland Ski Area, providing generations of skiers and snowboarders with access to more than half of the mountain's terrain. Despite years of diligent care and maintenance, both lifts are at the end of their serviceable lives, and the increasing costs to maintain, difficulty in sourcing parts and decreasing efficiency by modern standards have made the need for upgrades increasingly evident. The original chairlifts will continue to operate until their replacements are installed. These modern lifts will be more energy-efficient and resilient to wind and weather. ...Read more