Larry Lewis found a niche making small towns better

Urban designer Larry Lewis, with his dog, River, has become a key asset for small Lincoln County cities who share his planning talents and rely on him to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grants for parks and roads. (Photo by Rick Beasley)

DEPOE BAY — With the schooling of an architect and the spirit of an adventurer, urban planner Larry Lewis has become an important asset for cash-strapped Lincoln County cities who need everything from chicken ordinances to government grants.

Lewis, 58, is a part time city planner working fulltime across three towns. Depoe Bay splits a sewage treatment plant with Gleneden Beach and shares Larry Lewis with Yachats and Waldport.

“It’s a great job,” claimed Lewis. “Most small cities can’t afford nor do they warrant a fulltime planner, so it works out well for me. One of the good things about my job is I don’t see a lot of the political pressures. I’m not anywhere for more than two days a week, so I come in and do my thing and don’t get caught up in a lot of that stuff.”

For the complete article see the 01-16-2013 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 01-16-2013 paper.

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