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Wednesday,May26,2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
County, city join in ‘affordable’ development
Oberst
■ By For Gail
Columbia Gorge News
Hood River County is
willing to work with the City
of Hood River to provide
affordable housing on
properties along Rand Road
and Wine Country Avenue.
On May 17, county commis-
sioners announced support
for a joint project by adding
the county’s two acres to the
city’s seven to create a larger
mixed development project
including 100 low-income
dwellings as well as mid-
dle-income and market rate
apartments and houses.
The project is still in early
conceptual planning. City
Manager Rachael Fuller said
bringing the county into the
project planning could make
it more attractive to potential
developers and eventually
help pay for infrastructure
costs.
In an effort to provide
affordable housing in the
Hood River area, the city
has prepared a request for
proposals from tentative
developers, which includes
four flexible site plans, two of
which include the county’s
property. Tentative plans will
be finalized this summer.
A developer will be chosen
before the end of the year,
and construction could
begin in 2022. Residents can
comment through May 30 on
the four proposed scenarios
at cityofhoodriver.gov/plan-
ning/780-rand-road-hous-
ing-development-strategy.
The city and county prop-
erties are zoned residential.
The two-acre coun-
ty-owned property is north-
west and close to, but not
connected to, the Rand Road
property. In addition to low
and middle-income homes,
the city is proposing a mix
of housing types, including
market rate homes, improv-
ing financial feasibility for
potential developers. The
county has not yet made spe-
cific plans for development of
its land, beyond agreeing to
participate in tentative plans
with the city.
In a letter supporting
collaboration on the project,
County Commission Chair
Mike Oates said, “The city’s
project represents a natural
opportunity for partnership
between the city and county
to achieve our shared goals of
providing affordable housing
to the community.”
Hearing set on
permit timelines
Timelines for building
permit activities will be
curtailed, according to new
zoning rules proposed by
the Hood River Board of
Commissioners May 17. The
board read the ordinance
for the first time May 17 and
is set to adopt the new rules
after a public hearing at 6
p.m. June 21.
The new ordinance limits
the number of extensions
that could be allowed for
developers to complete proj-
ects. While most land-use
permits would be limited to
six years under the new pro-
posed rules, the ordinance
could allow an additional
extension in extraordinary
circumstances, such as
delays in obtaining state or
federal permits.
CL asks county
for $100,000
The Port of Cascade Locks
is asking Hood River County
for a share of the federal
American Recovery Act funds
that aim to offset pandemic
losses. Hood River County is
slated to receive $4.6 million
over the next two years.
Bridge of the Gods, built
in 1940, lost more than $1
million in toll revenues
during the pandemic, ac-
cording to Jess Groves, Port
of Cascade Locks president,
in a letter to Hood River
County Commissioners May
18. In the letter, Groves asked
the county for $100,000 to
address the revenue loss
coupled with increased
expenses to provide safety for
employees and visitors and
help local businesses.
County Administrator Jeff
Hecksel said the commis-
sioners heard, but didn’t act
on the request. The county
has not yet received funds or
decided how the funds would
be spent, Hecksel said.
“The port did apply for
and receive some funds
from the state to support
local business during 2020,”
Groves said of the first round
of federal stimulus funds paid
last year. “The port passed
this money directly to over 20
Cascade Locks businesses to
help them keep their doors
open and retain employees.”
Cascade Locks’ Port has
also applied for $217,000
in federal and ODOT relief
funds available to public
agencies that operate toll
bridges. “But with this partial
revenue reimbursement, the
port continues to feel the
economic impact on its bud-
get and ability to fund critical
needs,” Groves said.
The Port of Cascade Locks
Commission purchased the
bridge in 1961. Today, the
bridge is owned and oper-
ated by the Port of Cascade
Locks. Revenues from the
bridge tolls pay for mainte-
nance, painting, inspections,
and bond repayment.
Kingsley Reservoir
campground on tap
Hood River County’s
Forestry Department is
seeking $100,000 grant to
build a campground and
day-use facilities at Kingsley
Reservoir. The county
approved the grant appli-
cation to the Oregon Parks
The City of Hood River property on Rand Road, above, is slated for development for affordable hous-
ing. Hood River County owns a two-acre property nearby, to the northwest, and has expressed sup-
port for a joint housing project incorporating both properties.
Contributed photo
and Recreation Department
County Recreation Trails
Program will include funds
request funds to complete
a lakeside loop trail around
Kingsley Reservoir to en-
hance public access for both
overnight campers and day
use visitors.
The Board of
Commissioners approved
a resolution that sets the
project value at $125,000,
including the county’s rock
donation.
The Kingsley Reservoir
campground is listed as a
high priority project in the
county’s Recreation Trail
Master Plan. The reservoir
is approximately 13 miles
southwest of Hood River
The reservoir has been
closed since 2017 to improve
irrigation infrastructure,
which raised the lake’s water
level 11 feet, flooding the
former campground.
Public access was planned
to reopen in late 2019, but
‘Timberline Vodka’ launched
Hood River Distillers, the
oldest and largest importer,
distiller and marketer of dis-
tilled spirits in the Northwest,
has announced the launch of
its newest brand, Timberline
Vodka, according to a press
release. Created in Hood
River, Timberline reflects
the spirit and love of the out-
doors and those who thrive
in it — the “Outer Class.”
Timberline Vodka is dis-
tilled with a balance of grain
and 14 different varietals of
non-GMO Pacific Northwest
apples. Distilled in a du-
al-column, 2,000-liter pot
still at the highest standards
of purification, this vodka
is then cut to 80 proof with
glacier-fed spring water from
Mount Hood. The expert
distillation team, with their
depth of knowledge, talent
and skills, kept the minerals
present for an epically clean
vodka that echoes its origins,
said a press release.
“With 46 levels of purifica-
tion, we are really using only
the most premium, tightly
cut spirit in our production
process,” said Master Distiller,
Joseph O’Sullivan. “After
many rounds of continuous
testing, we perfected the
balance of grain, apples and
finished with the high-quality
water we are so fortunate to
have in Oregon. We are very
proud of this incredible-tast-
ing vodka.”
Aligning with a dedi-
cated interest in preserv-
ing the Pacific Northwest
Historic
GRANADA
T H E A T R E
in any of the historic lodges
of the West. The brand was
designed by the award-win-
ning Sandstrom Partners,
whose portfolio includes the
highly successful Aviation
Gin, Bulleit Bourbon and
St. Germain brands, among
others.
A distinctive feature of the
packaging was the creation of
a collectable label series: The
Hiker, The Snow Goose and
The Skier. There is only one
Timberline Vodka, but there
are three distinct labels that
represent it.
“Timberline is a very
unique vodka, and the brand
and packaging reflect this,”
says Senior Marketing Brand
Timberline Vodka is Hood River Manager Keri Meuret. “The
subtle tint of the bubble
Distillers newest brand.
glass, custom bottle shape
with embossing complete
with canvas labels provide a
environment, Timberline
Vodka is partnering with the vintage charm. It’s a blend of
rustic and contemporary.”
Portland-based non-profit
For hiking, skiing, sunset
organization, The Freshwater
Trust. The Freshwater Trust’s wandering, or whatever
mission is to preserve and re- opens your door, Timberline
store freshwater ecosystems serves as a constant symbol
and reminder that even when
in the West.
sequestered to the inside,
Timberline Vodka’s
the outside is where it’s at.
packaging was inspired by
the iconic Timberline Lodge Timberline Vodka is now
available for purchase in the
and a love of the outdoors.
The custom glass bottle with Hood River Distillers’ Tasting
unique canvas label looks at Room and a growing list of
Pacific Northwest retailers. It
home on a back bar or table
is available in both 50ml and
750ml sizes, and the 750ml
bottle retails for $24.95.
About Hood River
Distillers
Founded in 1934 and
headquartered in Hood
River, Hood River Distillers is
the Northwest’s largest and
oldest importer, distiller, pro-
ducer, bottler, and marketer
of distilled spirits. Timberline
Vodka, Big Gin, Batanga
Tequila, Easy Rider Kentucky
Straight Bourbon Whiskey,
Trail’s End Kentucky Straight
Bourbon Whiskey finished
with Oregon Oak, Clear
Creek Distillery, Sinfire
Cinnamon Whiskies, Lucid
Absinthe Supérieure, ULLR
Nordic Libation, Yazi Ginger
Vodka, Double Mountain
Hopped Whiskey, Lewis and
Clark Premium Spirits, HRD
Vodka and the complete line
of Monarch® distilled spirits
are distributed across the
country.
For the complete product
portfolio and more informa-
tion, visit www.hrdspirits.
com.
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permitting delays have
extended the outlook. The
Farmers Irrigation District,
which uses the reservoir,
provides water to 5,800 acres
of land on the west side of the
Hood River Valley.
Hecksel said the reservoir
campground may reopen by
June of 2022.
Valle Moretti and
Kelley tapped
In other action, the
Hood River Board of
Commissioners appoint-
ed Leticia Valle Moretti
to the county’s planning
commission. Valle Moretti,
of Hood River, described
herself as born and raised in
Pine Grove, the daughter of
migrant farmworkers. Valle
Moretti has been a longtime
community volunteer includ-
ing the Hood River County
Transportation District,
the Historic Columbia
River Highway Advisory
Committee, One Community
Health, and several other
health-related and LatinX
outreach organizations.
Commissioners also
recommended Peter
“Gil” Kelley, to represent
Hood River County on
the Columbia River Gorge
Oregon Investment Board.
The governor makes the final
appointment to the board,
which helps set economic
investment policy for the re-
gion. Kelley, an independent
adviser, said he has headed
up planning a development
for several West Coast cities
and continues to act as a
consultant to clients from his
home in Hood River.
The Hood River Board of
Commissioners next meets
June 7 and June 21 for its
regular sessions.
CORRECTION
In last week's article on Pony Espresso, Columbia Gorge
News mixed up the names of the owner of Summit Excavation
LLC and the owner of the building which will house the future
restaurant. Jake Strain owns Summit Excavation LLC, while
Russell Kramer owns the Blue Barn RV Park and the building.
Jake Strain and Angela Cooper plan for a soft opening of the
restaurant upon signing the lease for the building. Strain and
Cooper announced the name of the restaurant — The Revel
Hideaway — upon signing the lease of the building. Cooper
wanted to emphasize that “all kids are welcome” at the
ranch. “It’s the neighborhood that’s welcome,” Cooper said.
Columbia Gorge News regrets the error.
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