Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
10A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016 Gearhart: A continuation of the hearing will be on May 12 Continued from Page 1A commission to compromise. “We don’t want to become the U.S. Congress,” Nichols said. Penny Sabol said the Gearhart comprehensive plan is a legally enforceable doc- ument. The document, dating to 1994, includes language stating “the city of Gearhart will preserve and maintain its predominantly residen- tial character through appro- priate zoning and land use regulations.” Rick Sabol asked the commission to “do your jobs and interpret the plan correctly.” Gearhart Golf Course Manager Matt Brown said short-term rentals depleted the availability of long-term rental homes, making it dif- ¿FXOW IRU EXVLQHVVHV WR ¿QG employees. Many employees must drive 45 miles away, he said, because of the lack of long- term rentals. Others spoke of the noise and nuisance posed by short- term rentals and guests, and the risks to Gearhart’s resi- dential character. Jeanne Mark warned of the city “morphing into an all-out tourist destination.” Wilson Mark added that the actions of 87 short-term rental owners — the number counted by the city in their inventory — “will likely kill the vibe and feeling Gearhart has. It will make Gearhart Photos by Jeff Ter Har/For The Daily Astorian Planning commissioners and members of the audience. Members of the Gearhart Planning Commission listen to speakers at the public hearing on short-term rentals. not a gem that it is, but some- thing more generic.” Bill Berg, author of the book “Gearhart Remem- bered: An Informal His- tory,” and former mayor Kent Smith both spoke in favor of adopting short-term rental regulations. “I implore the Planning Commission to chomp down on regulations on this,” Smith said. “I want to make sure we enforce our zoning code.” Carol Lucas, who lives along the heavily trav- eled Ridge Path, said short- term renters often woke her up or looked into her win- dows. “We need to have res- idential zones be residential homeowners, warned of legal action and asked the city to “employ and enforce” existing codes rather than enact new ones. Others called it a “tak- ing” — a government seizure of their property. “I will pros- ecute and defend my property rights,” David Remer said to applause. Short-term rental property owner Marcia McLeary said she had “never had any prob- OHPV´ DQG DOZD\V QRWL¿HG neighbors when hosting guests. “I urge you not to make Catherine Rondthaler fights back tears as she it tough on us who make an tells commissioners she effort and do everything by the fears the loss of her Gear- book,” McLeary said. Others urged the commis- hart home if short-term rental regulations are put sion to consider evidence from both sides. in place. Marshall Leathers and oth- only,” she said, in advocating ers said the only way they regulation. could stay in Gearhart is to rent their homes. Rule changes go “far License limit Steve Weed, however, beyond” common sense mea- objected to the 35-license limit. sures, he said. ³7KLUW\¿YH SHRSOH ZLOO JHW Catherine Rondthaler golden tickets,” he said. “I can’t fought back tears as she told think of anything more ruinous the commissioners without the to Gearhart than to do that.” option of a short-term rental, Property owners Bob and “We would have to sell the Clare Carson also balked at house. To walk away from license limits, calling the num- a beach house that’s been in ber “arbitrary and capricious.” my family for 50 years would “If you’re going to have reg- break my heart.” ulations, they need to be equally No action was taken at the applied,” Bob Carson said. meeting. Those who are renting their Planning commissioners homes are losing a right with- agreed to keep the record open out receiving fair compensa- and welcomed submissions tion, Carson added. prior to a continuation of the Attorney Dean Alterman hearing, scheduled for May 12 RI 3RUWODQG UHSUHVHQWLQJ ¿YH DWWKH¿UHKRXVH Smith:+HUPHQWDO¿WQHVVWRSURFHHGLVXOWLPDWHO\XSWR-XGJH0DW\DV Continued from Page 1A Judge Matyas previously said in court that she has not observed any unusual behavior from Smith, but still appointed psychologist Brooke How- ard to do an independent evaluation after consider- ing a defense expert’s claims that Smith has severe mood changes, abstract thinking and reasoning and untreated men- tal health issues. Howard determined Smith suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, but could not conclude whether she is unable or unwilling to aid and assist in her defense. In her report, How- ard recommended Smith be sent to the state hospital for observation. Both the prosecution and defense have also requested Smith be transferred to the state hospital, but under dif- ferent terms. Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Mar- quis requested Howard re-evaluate Smith at the state hospital. Defense Lawyers David Falls and Lynne Mor- gan asked the court to send Smith for treatment, which would take much longer than an evaluation. Marquis warned in court that if Smith is sent for an indefinite stay for treat- ment, the clock starts tick- ing, and after three years the defense can move to dismiss the case. 6PLWK¶V PHQWDO ¿WQHVV WR proceed is ultimately up to Judge Matyas. The judge will use the UHSRUW IURP D FHUWL¿HG HYDO- uator at the state hospital to help determine Smith’s men- tal state. The report is expected to uncover whether Smith suf- fers from a mental disease or defect, and if she is able to understand the nature of the court proceedings. If she LVIRXQGWRODFNWKH¿WQHVVWR proceed, the report will offer a recommendation for treat- ment and services to restore her capacity. If the state hospital exam- ination cannot be conducted due to Smith’s unwilling- ness, Matyas ordered, the report should offer an opin- ion as to whether the unwill- ingness was a result of a men- tal disease. Matyas further ordered that the report should not PDNH¿QGLQJVRUFRQFOXVLRQV regarding Smith’s mental state during the alleged crimes. Smith, 42, of Vancouver, Washington, is accused of mur- dering her toddler and attempt- ing to kill her teenager at a Can- non Beach resort in 2014. The trial is scheduled for June 2017. ASTOR IA FOR D 888.760.9303 | w w w .Asto ria Fo rd .co m N O I T C U R T S N CO M E All n ew vehicles ha ve a E L A P R ICE S G N I V ! O D ISCOUN TED O G T S U M G S N E I V I H T T N Y E C R N E I V C K M O N TH TR U $ 5 , 7 50 of f ON I T I D E TH E N W 2 0 5 1 - F 01 6 INVOICE IS IN THE GLOVE BOX! FLEXIBLE LEAS E S PECIALS ! 2 01 6 FOR D Stock #N216151 VIN #1FTEW1EP1GKD57847 F -1 5 0 O NLY $ 680.86 CASH DUE AT SIGNING! All offers expire at the close of business 4/30/16. $ 411 /m o. TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHIC LE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHIC LE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHIC LE TODAY! TRADE IN YOUR US ED VEHICLE TODAY! Retail value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,914 Lease price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $44,565 10,500 miles per year 24-MONTH LEASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $411/month Lease-end value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,940.50 FLEXIBLE LEAS E CON VEN IEN T | FLEXIBLE LEAS E S M ART | FLEXIBLE LEAS E AFFORDABLE | FLEXIBLE LEAS E TERM S | FLEXIBLE M ILEAGE S M ART 2 01 6 FOR D ESCAP E 710 W . M ARIN E DR. • ASTORIA Stock #N216-116 VIN #1FMCU0F70GUC00638 $ 276 /m o. Retail value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,484 Lease price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,995 10,500 miles per year 36-MONTH LEASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . $276/month Lease-end value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,732 O NLY $ 5 20 CASH DUE AT SIGNING! FLEXIBLE LEAS E CON VEN IEN T | FLEXIBLE LEAS E S M ART | FLEXIBLE LEAS E AFFORDABLE | FLEXIBLE LEAS E TERM S | FLEXIBLE M ILEAGE S M ART