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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 2017)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 RV park: ‘I don’t see how ODOT can make this safe for pedestrians’ not just me. This affects everybody.” Arch Cape resident and environmental advocate Nadia Gardner, along with many others at the fi re hall , was also concerned how the project would affect the mar- bled murrelet, a seabird that can only live in increasingly rare, old-growth coastal for- ests. The state Department of Forestry identifi ed the prop- erty as adjacent to a marbled murrelet management area in 2009. Waggoner said many of these drainage and envi- ronmental concerns can be addressed once more engineer- ing surveys are completed. Continued from Page 1A already populated stretch of U.S. Highway 101, threats to water quality and the prop- erty’s proximity to threat- ened m arbled m urrelet habi- tat all were echoed by multiple residents. The community’s desire to protect the area’s old growth forests, however, was the room’s unifi ed plea. “The Oregon Coast is like one big backyard,” Netarts resident Shelly Reeder-Lueth said. “We believe it’s worth fi ghting for the last 5 percent of old growth forests. Other- wise, what do you have left?” The vision deceleration and acceler- ation lanes, which would likely be required by the Ore- gon Department of Transpor- tation, will not solve traffi c build up and blind spot issues from drivers trying to turn left into the park. Waggoner said once the development application is fi led, ODOT would provide any necessary mitigation requirements for pedestrian safety. But residents like John Mersereau is not sure what- ever is recommended would be enough. “Widening the highway is not going to help the dan- ger,” Mersereau said. “I don’t see how ODOT can make this safe for pedestrians.” The environment Others were concerned with environmental issues, such as the fact the project would be squarely in Arch Cape’s watershed. Sharon Stern said residents would Volunteer Pick of the Week Caster 3½-Year Old Dilute Torti A curled and dreaming cat: The sum of all comforts. (Read about Caster on Facebook ) Sponsored By C LATSOP C OUNTY A NIMAL S HELTER E MERALD 1315 SE 19 Street, Warrenton • 861 - PETS H EIGHTS A PARTMENTS Problems with procedure Submitted Photo A proposed RV park near Arcadia Beach has drawn traffic and environmental concerns. th www.dogsncats.org Noon to 4pm, Tues-Sat be vulnerable to any septic tank failures or other waste contaminating the groundwater . Residents like Bob Turk, who has secondary water rights to a creek that runs through both his property and Smejkal’s, also worry about what effect numerous campers could have on the neighborhood. “I worry people will be walking through that stream, dumping things into that stream,” Turk said. “It’s Questions about whether the developer has followed county planning rules were also raised. The county issued a cease- and-desist order in July after the Department of Forestry reported Smejkal was plan- ning a logging operation on parcels without county approval, Caplinger said. Waggoner and Smejkal argue they were cutting under- brush to allow surveyors to assess the land adequately to fulfi ll county requirements. “All we’re trying to do is try to look at the property,” k th e L a b e l Call (503) 791-8134 or email i_want_to_help@astoriabands.org to arrange pickup of large amounts. 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Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Show Dates : October 6, 7, 13, 14,15, 20 & 21 Sunday Matinee : th All Rents Electricity · Garbage · Water Include: Items must have the 10 cent, OR redemption label in order to benefit the band programs W A NTED FROM A STORY BY DAPHNE DU MAURIER EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY P LEASE , NO EARLY DROP - OFFS Join Ladies of the Lake on Facebook! Additional information at: www.lolquiltguild.org -Dramatist Play Service 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS 1 P.M.- 3 P.M. • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 ST AT ASTORIA HIGH SCHOOL Proceeds Support FISH Food Bank and Local Veterans DIRECTED BY SHEILA SHAFFER WRITTEN BY Conor McPherson 503-325-8221 CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE Ch ec Diamond Heating, Inc. 1425 N. Roosevelt Dr., Seaside, OR 97138 503-717-1667 www.DiamondHeating.net “Professional Performance with Lasting Value” Offer expires 11/17/2017. *On a qualifying system purchase. Lennox system rebate offers range from $200 to $1,600. Some restrictions apply. One offer available per qualifying purchase. See your local Lennox Dealer or www.lennox.com for details. ©2017 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses. raises concerns,” Caplinger said. “The code is not clear on brushing on recreational management land. While it is feasible, it would be diffi - cult to fulfi ll our development requirements without a full survey. The question is if you need to do that much clearing to conduct these tests. At this point we don’t know.” Waggoner and Smejkal still need to complete a vari- ety of surveys before submit- ting a development permit application. After that, a pub- lic hearing will be scheduled for community input. Waggoner said he was not surprised by the public reac- tion, and that they intend to move forward with the proj- ect as permitting allows. However, Smejkal reiterated that he was open to selling the land, but had yet to see an offer. EMERALD HEIGHTS APARTMENTS Astoria Band Boosters ! The land was owned by the Oregon Parks and Rec- reation Department before it was traded to Smejkal in 2002 in exchange for land he owned in Columbia County. In 2009, Smejkal attempted to develop the property as hous- ing, which was ultimately denied by the county Planning Commission. Waggoner said people should expect a small RV park with about 35 spaces. The preliminary plan is to add walking trails around the site and to preserve as many of the large trees as possible to add to the overall ambiance. Before almost any detail can be decided , Waggoner said a variety of geohazard, transportation and ecological studies will need to be con- ducted to complete a develop- ment permit. But some argued it doesn’t take a study to recognize how the narrowness of the highway will impact pedes- trian safety for people who will want to leave the RV park to visit Arcadia Beach. Many echoed concerns how Waggoner said. “We’re not going in to pillage the land.” Oregon Coast Alliance president Mike Manzulli said between the lack of regard for the planning process and questionable applications for tree removal, there is reason to question whether the devel- oper can be trusted to build the project responsibly . “Why would we trust you?” Manzulli said. Caplinger said part of what has made the property so complicated is its zoning. In most cases, private landown- ers would not need a permit to clear underbrush to conduct land surveys. But because the land is former park land and zoned recreational manage- ment, the number of accept- able uses is minimal and vague. “Going from preserva- tion to development always S crooged in A StoriA October 8 th & 9 th 6 pm Astor Street Opry Company Playhouse 129 W. Bond Street For questions contact: Director, Bill Carr billcarrasoc@gmail.com 503-338-9813 PLAYERS NEEDED 9 males & 12 females Age 12+ No previous experience required. Attention Hunters & Forest Recreationists The Lewis & Clark Timberlands managed by GreenWood Resources in Clatsop County will again open for motorized recreational access this fall. Public access is allowed from one hour before sun- rise until one hour after sunset. Camping, camp- fires, off-road driving, ATVs and motorcycles are prohibited. All access is subject to change. Gates open from Sept. 30, through Nov. 24, 2017 • • • • • • • • • L&C Camp Gate (71) 400 Line (72) 300 Line (73) Klootchy Park (39) Sugarloaf (24) Charlie Cr. (26) Clatsop Fir XO (25) Tidewater (49) Snow Point (54) • Elk Mtn. W (98/99) • L&C ML at Saddle Mtn. Park Rd East/ West (56/57) • Fisher ML (83) • Twilight Gates (110/113/114) • Bear Cr. 300 (80) • Elk Mtn. East (53) Any gate that may be open but is not listed above could be closed at any time, as unlisted gates are open for active Lewis & Clark Timber- lands operations only. Please report any illegal or suspicious activity to the Sheriff ’s Office at 503.325.2061 or the Oregon State Police at 1.800.452.7888 TO REPORT A FIRE OR EMERGENCY CALL 911 Road maps showing gate locations are available at our New Gearhart office. Current access information is available on the Recre- ational Hotline at 503.738.6351, ext.2.
