City Councilors Monday night approved the emergency annexation of a south Corvallis property on Crystal Lake Drive that was triggered by a failing septic system.

County health inspectors declared a health hazard there in February. State law requires cities to annex properties that are adjacent to city limits and have immediate access to city sewer and water utilities in order to remove the health hazard.

In March, councilors unanimously approved a resolution bypassing rules requiring voter approval of the annexation, and planning commissioners approved a low-density residential zone for the property, paving the way for the city to bring the property into the city limits.

The property will be connected to city sewer and water and fall under city fire department jurisdiction.

Also on Monday, the Council formed a new commission to evaluate all things associated with downtown — including parking, landscaping, land use and planning. Downtown planning and supervision has been handled by the now-defunct Downtown Parking Commission and Downtown and Economic Vitality Plans Implementation Committee.

The new Downtown Commission will take over those duties and also advise the council on matters related to a proposed urban renewal zone downtown.

Councilors also approved the placement of three speed bumps on the west end of Northwest Circle Boulevard between Northwest Dogwood and Northwest Lantana drives.

Traffic control was a condition of approval for developer’s plans for the Witham Oaks subdivision, which will connect Circle with Northwest Harrison Boulevard.

Neighbors pushed for speed bumps, although Police Chief Gary Boldizsar testified that they can slow emergency vehicles down.

The project will cost $9,750, with developers carrying $8,677.50 and neighbors picking up the balance.

GT Reader Comments

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mckernjo wrote on May 6, 2008 10:46 AM: " Great, more speed bumps. Get a clue. They don't work and create problems for emergency vehicles. The people who wanted these should hope they don't need emergency services any time soon. "

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