Approved Minutes - 2020-08-31
Luscher Area Task Force Meeting
Meeting Minutes
August 31, 2020
Task Force members present: Richard Herman; Nancy Gronowski; Dave Girard; Laura Masterson; Heidi
Schrimsher and Sandy Intraversato
Staff Present: Jeff Munro; Megan Big John; Dawn Grunwald; Jamie Inglis; Jan Wirtz and Charity Taylor
(Facilitator)
Excused: Kasey Holwerda
Charity Taylor reviewed the Luscher Area Master Plan public outreach results. She then discussed task
force priorities (Attachment 1).
Task Force Priorities
She shared themes the Task Force discussed at previous meetings. Ms. Taylor began confirming the
following Task Force’s priorities:
1) Additional access and parking in the Luscher Area;
2) Removing daily maintenance and agricultural operations from the Luscher Barn due to its proximity to
public interface;
3) Facilities to support maintenance and agricultural operations in the Luscher Area with potential for a
shared space for CSA and maintenance.
Heidi Schrimsher noted that there could be opportunities for Hunger Fighters and community
supported agriculture (“CSA”) to share space within the agricultural operational facility to avoid
duplicating facility uses. Ms. Taylor added that the agricultural operational facility as described in the
Agricultural Plan could support up to three programs. She then continued discussing previously
mentioned priorities including Luscher Barn rehabilitation for multi‐purpose uses such as classes,
programs and community events. The rehabilitation process would seek to preserve the historic
characteristics of the barn with the addition of restrooms. Ms. Taylor mentioned increasing the number
of community gardens, and moving some plots during the barn restoration process to prevent damage
to gardens. Ms. Wirtz clarified that the gardens around the Luscher Barn may need to be rearranged,
regardless of whether they are community gardens, adopt‐a‐plot, children’s or demonstration.
Ms. Taylor followed up with additional information about Hunger Fighters’ facility needs (Attachment
2). She explained that it would be beneficial to provide a space that could accommodate multiple
organizations in lieu of creating a facility for a particular community partnership. Sandy Intraversato
asked whether there could be follow‐up with Hunger Fighters to get a prioritized list of their needs. Ms.
Taylor noted that ongoing conversations could happen with Hunger Fighters and other organizations.
Ms. Intraversato suggested getting feedback from CSA, Hunger Fighters and the Farm to School
program to determine high level common needs during the design build process of facilities. She
clarified that the Task Force’s goal is to prioritize needs at the macro level, as opposed to providing
specifics about facility square footage. Ms. Taylor confirmed that this was correct. Dave Girard
mentioned 4‐H as an organization that could help involve youth in the Luscher Area.
Ms. Masterson shared her sketch of existing conditions in the Luscher Area (Attachment 3). She drew a
roadway close to the pedestrian trail to avoid interrupting agriculture space near the current trail round
on the Firlane property. She noted that the road could go as far west as the hedgerow to ensure more
space for agricultural programming. The entrance road would end at the plaza with a public‐facing CSA
pickup area, with northern facilities supporting daily operations. Ms. Masterson drew a maintenance
road between the CSA and community gardens, and another north of the equipment yard. She sketched
additional CSA fields south of the flex space. She also mentioned the need for extra space to allow
tractors to turn around. Ms. Masterson noted that animals could be placed southeast of the flex space.
Megan Big John commented that one of the issues with the current Luscher entrance is the close
proximity between pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Vehicular traffic must cross a pedestrian path to
access parking. She noted that the new entrance might have the same issue if the roadway is close to
the pedestrian trail.
The Task Force discussed angling the road to ensure visibility for car and foot traffic. Ms. Schrimsher
noted that there could be a turn in the current Firlane pedestrian pathway to free up more land for
agriculture. Ms. Masterson discussed the integration of current and future parking, and road access for
community members, maintenance and agricultural operations (Attachment 4). Ms. Masterson drew an
access road between the community gardens and CSA with space for tractor operations. She also
sketched a site plan that includes a facility for environmental education, a public space and CSA pickup
area (Attachment 5). Ms. Masterson noted that the space for maintenance and CSA could have an
adjoining equipment storage area. Ms. Big John sketched an agricultural and park maintenance facility
closer to the proposed parking area (Attachment 6). She mentioned using the existing service roads
leading out to Stafford Road for CSA, other contractors and Parks Maintenance to avoid being near
public facing areas.
Ms. Taylor began ordering the Task Force’s initial recommendations (Attachment 7). Ms. Masterson
highlighted the need for pedestrian safety and preserving farmland when considering access roads, and
maintaining the current synergy between Parks Maintenance and CSA, such as a gravel yard and
enclosed spaces. Ms. Schrimsher commented that the agricultural operational facility discussion should
also include spaces for animals. She also noted that education and urban agriculture had been separate
facilities in previous discussions, and that Ms. Masterson’s drawings depicted facilities close together.
Ms. Schrimsher discussed the synergy of having education and agriculture close together. Ms.
Gronowski stated that whether education and agriculture should share a facility will be site specific and
parking needs should be considered.
Ms. Intraversato mentioned the importance of viewing the Luscher Area from the consumer
perspective, specifically those who may not have knowledge of program offerings. The layout of the
Luscher Area should be visually appealing, easily navigable and showcase programs. Dave Girard
expressed interest in providing demonstration areas in the plaza, near the parking lot and education
center (Attachment 8). Ms. Taylor noted that the Luscher Area Master Plan designates areas on the
Firlane property for additional gardens. Ms. Masterson suggested a recommendation of additional
agricultural programs in lieu of specifically suggesting incubator farms to allow for other types of
programs. Ms. Masterson requested reviewing urban agriculture recommendations again once there is
a discussion about environmental education before finalizing all recommendations. Ms. Gronowski
requested more information about square footage for facilities to determine how much parking is
needed. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Luscher Area Task Force‐ What I heard from this process:
We agree on some basic ideas for three areas for Luscher:
1. Infrastructure/Facilities
2. Programming
Infrastructure:
A farm core/hub where utilities and water (new or existing well) can support facilities and programs
(concept map example)
*Roads and Parking to support all the core/hub
Nature Play area
Accessible Pathways in Core/Hub
Trails/Shelters
Additional Ag areas
*Leads to possible changes to LAMP to include changing location of entrance road, parking and support operation
buildings
Facilities:
A.) Additional NEW building projects to support farm operations and maintenance such as:
Ag Bldg./Wash station
Greenhouse(s)
Maintenance Bldg.
Environmental Education Center
B.) Rehabilitation Projects:
White Barn
Restrooms
*Garden Layout
*some rehab/remodel and/or new facility projects may lead to garden area changes
Programming:
Gardening/Farming (Organic Ed)
Historic
Environmental & Animal (Domestic/Wildlife) Studies
Events
Projects 1 & 2 are projects planned and constructed together:
1. Entrance/Roads/Parking‐ the concept map centers on a core/hub for facilities, agreeing on this concept,
triggers infrastructure and facility projects
2. Ag and Maint bldg. COMBO all these things together (maybe it’s one or two buildings)
Projects 3 &4 (after completion of 1 & 2)
3. Barn Rehab & Restrooms‐ once parks & programs using the white barn are moved to new bldg., the white
barn can be readied for rehab/remodel project
4. Existing Garden/Ag areas redesign, repurpose and relocation of some fields/plots/whole gardens etc.
Projects 5 & 6 (after completion of 3& 4)
5. Environmental Ed‐ once white barn and garden projects are completed, Ed Center can be designed, planned
and constructed
6. Play area‐ can either be part of this phase or phases above
Attachment 1
Facility Search for Hunger Fighters Oregon
Hunger Fighters Oregon is looking for a long term location (next 3-5 years) for the food pantry. The pantry has
become a much relied-upon resource in the community, and it is critical for Hunger Fighters to have stability in the
long term for the individuals and families who depend on it.
Requirements
●A 2500+ square foot facility*
●Parking area or driveway which allows one-way traffic flow for curbside pickup directly outside pantry*
●Adequate parking for volunteers and waiting area nearby for 10-15 vehicles at a time during pantry hours*
●Temperature controlled/Central heating and cooling*
●Restrooms on site*
●Sink/running water for cleaning*
●Ability to install Wifi/Internet*
●Outlet availability for multiple refrigerator/freezer units (at least 4)*
●Own keys/access to space as needed*
●Access to safety shut offs (gas, electricity, water)*
●ADA accessible (for clients or volunteers)*
●Centrally located around the lake to be accessible to all Lake Oswegans*
●Multiple entry/exit from pantry shopping area- safety and ease of traffic flow
●Accessible by public transportation
●Roll up door/garage door/loading area - for vehicles to pull up to unload donations en masse
●Option/ability to install security system or cameras
●Trash and recycling disposal area nearby
●A space to grow fresh produce for pantry (outdoor)
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
Attachment 6
Preliminary Task Force Priorities
1) Parking/Access: consider pedestrian safety and preserving farmland along the road to parking
area
2) Maintenance Facility: establish synergy with agricultural operational facility
3) Multi-purpose Agricultural Operational Facility: ensure space for animals in Luscher Area.
Support programs such as CSA, Ag Education, Hunger Fighters, School to Farm and incubator
farms (list is not exhaustive). Building could be combined with Educational Facility where needs
are complementary
4) Luscher Barn Rehabilitation: multi-purpose space for classes, community events and
conferences 1
5) Expanding existing community gardens (demonstration, children’s, etc.)2
6) Additional agricultural programs
1 Education: emphasis on gardening, farming, animals (with needed facilities), emphasis on historical farming
practices.
2 Demonstration gardens: potentially near plaza – provides for a community-friendly experience and provides
opportunity for engagement and education.
Attachment 7
Attachment 8