Frequently Asked Questions

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• What is the Panoramic Access Special Road District?

 

The District is charged with maintaining the roads within the boundaries of the Panoramic Access Road District, which is a designated special tax district within the county. 

 

The District is managed by a three-member Board of Commissioners appointed by Deschutes County. The Board consists of a president, secretary and treasurer, all residents of the District who serve as volunteers.

• Nyle Head, President

• Whitney Lowe, Secretary

• Jim Becker, Treasurer

 

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• Why do the roads need to be improved?

 

To a certain extent this is a matter of personal opinion. But a number of specific and valid reasons have been brought up by people who have approached the Board.

 

Many people consider it a mere nuisance, but the dust produced by our roads has much deeper consequences. There are very real costs as dust invades every corner of our homes. Any mechanical device, such as heating and air-conditioning systems, suffers increased wear and tear with excessive dust.

 

Most people complain about the poor surface our roads frequently have. They not only complain about the “bumpiness” of the roads, but note that the rough surface causes damage to their vehicles and aggravates physical conditions. Local mechanics have specifically mentioned that damage to the suspension of vehicles is caused by these rough conditions. The fine dust we have also can infiltrate a vehicle’s engine and cause significant damage over time. The cost of these repairs represents a “hidden” cost of our roads.

 

An important factor many people don’t acknowledge is the health impacts of the dust created when we drive on our roads. It is unhealthy to regularly breathe that fine, red mist that rises every time a car passes. Respiratory diseases are not just exacerbated, but are often caused by long-term exposure to dust. This also affects people with cardiac issues as oxygen supply is reduced to the heart.

 

While arguably less important than those listed above, the issue of esthetics is valid. Many homeowners live with the familiar red tint to their homes, outbuildings, vehicles and landscaping. Even large trees are tainted. This is a situation that goes beyond a simple matter of personal taste.

 

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• What are the pluses and minuses of retaining current practices?

 

Pluses

This option will be the least expensive, at least in the short run. Current practices will continue with no immediate increase in costs to property owners, although future increase in property tax assessment will eventually have to be made.

 

Minuses

As mentioned above, our current roads present numerous problems. They represent continued high maintenance costs. The issues listed above, including increased vehicle and home maintenance, health risks, rough road surfaces and aesthetics will remain.

 

• What are the pluses and minuses of adding more gravel?

 

Pluses

This option is less expensive than Otta Seal or asphalt paving. It will result in improved roads in the short term.

 

Minuses

Adding more gravel to all our roads still represents a significant cost that will require financing. While the roads will immediately improve, the District’s experience with adding gravel to specific sections of our roads has shown that the improvements are short-lived and require frequent, continued maintenance. In addition, the issues of increased vehicle and home maintenance, health risks, rough road surfaces and aesthetics will remain.

 

 

• What are the pluses and minuses of Otta Seal?

 

Pluses

Otta Seal constitutes a middle ground between asphalt paving and gravel. It involves compacted layers of gravel and a specially formulated oil product and results in a hard, smooth and durable surface. It is being used successfully worldwide, especially in Scandinavia. It is also used in several areas around Central Oregon, the Pine River and Lazy River subdivisions near Sunriver, for example.

 

Otta Seal will most likely be significantly less expensive than traditional asphalt paving. Its durable surface is expected to last at least 8 to 12 years with only periodic maintenance, according to information provided by the Deschutes County Road Department. It often lasts longer in areas of lower traffic volume, such as ours. It all but eliminates the problems of increased vehicle and home maintenance, health risks, rough road surfaces and aesthetics.

 

Several local real estate brokers have told the Board that any form of paving, including Otta Seal, will increase property values by 10 to 20 percent with no increase in property taxes.

 

Note that Otta Seal differs from typical “chip sealing.” Otta Seal is applied thicker than chip sealing and uses different sized rock to obtain a denser surface. It also uses a different type of “emulsion” than chip seal. Otta Seal is also less expensive than chip seal in most situations.

 

Minuses

It will cost more than maintaining the status quo or adding more gravel and requires financing. While definite information is not yet available, it will require intermittent maintenance, such as crack repair and re-sealing.

 

 

• What are the pluses and minuses of traditional asphalt paving?

 

Pluses

This is the most durable option we have available. The portion of Panoramic Drive between Camp Polk Road and the intersection of Buck Horn Drive was paved with this method about 15 years ago and has held up very well with just occasional crack sealing. It is the longest-lived option we are considering and is expected to last decades with intermittent maintenance such as crack repair and re-sealing. Like Otta Seal, asphalt paving all but eliminates the problems of increased vehicle and home maintenance, health risks, rough road surfaces and aesthetics.

 

As with Otta Seal, property values are estimated to increase by 10 to 20 percent with no increase in property tax.

 

Minuses

It will cost significantly more than the other options and requires financing. While definite information is not yet available, it will require intermittent maintenance, such as crack repair and re-sealing.

 

 

 

We hope this information answers many of your questions. The Board will be in regular communication with property owners when more information becomes available.