General Planning

Regional Cable Regulation

Staff provided assistance in the administration of the Metro Cable Television franchise with AT&T Broadband, the Lane County Cable Television franchise with Charter Communications, and the Regional Cable Commission (RCC). During the year, staff:
  • Considered and answered complaints,
  • Investigated alleged violations of the franchise agreements, and
  • Reviewed proposed rate increases.

LCOG staff also assisted the cities of Cottage Grove, Astoria, Tillamook City, Garibaldi, Gearhart, Rockaway Beach, and Manzanita in franchise agreement renewal negotiations.

Telecommunications Planning
ORTCC Website
Oregon Telecommunications Coordinating Council website
LCOG continued to assist in telecommunications planning at the local, regional, and state levels. Working in conjunction with the Association of Oregon Counties, LCOG provided support to the Oregon Telecommunications Coordinating Council as this state investigatory council reviewed state policies and developed proposals to improve broadband telecommunications services across the state. LCOG worked with the Department of Economic and Community Development, coordinating private developments of a state-wide system of secure broadband infrastructure.

Staff assisted the Regional Fiber Consortium and the Fiber South Consortium to complete arrangements with the Consortia’s selected private provider for development and buildout of the Consortia’s systems.

  • Following the recession-related changes in plans, LCOG worked to refocus efforts on the best possible strategy for incremental development of the regional system.
  • Staff assisted local communities in planning and working to acquire facilities to allow local broadband connections for economic and community development.
  • LCOG joined with more than ten other local governments to establish a Public Agency Network, providing broadband connections and improving the efficiency of members and other governments in the Eugene-Springfield area.

Local Planning Assistance

Junction City mapStaff continued to provide current planning support to Coburg, Creswell, Junction City, Lowell, Veneta, and Westfir. LCOG assisted the City of Westfir with the update of its Comprehensive Plan and the adoption of a new development code. In addition, staff assisted:
  • Dunes City with the update of its development code;
  • Westfir with its grant request for a public facility study;
  • Junction City with its downtown development plan;
  • Coburg, Cottage Grove, and Junction City with TGM code assistance projects;
  • Oakridge with its Community Center Feasibility and Siting Study; and
  • Veneta with the completion of its Periodic Review

Land Use Law and Hearings Official

Several jurisdictions rely on LCOG attorneys to serve as hearings officials. During the past year, staff handled:
  • 28 land use cases for Lane County, a 50 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year;
  • Three land use cases for Springfield;
  • Two infraction cases for Lane County and five for Eugene;
  • Seven appeal hearings for the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority;
  • Seven hearings for the Eugene Public Works Department; and
  • 32 hearings for the Lane County Animal Regulation Authority.

Staff also provided several member agencies with advice on code revisions and interpretations, advised LCOG staff on Oregon land use and administrative law, and taught a seminar on legal issues in planning at the Oregon Planning Institute.

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