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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2018)
DailyAstorian.com // WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018 146TH YEAR, NO. 118 ONE DOLLAR Apartments proposed at Tongue Point Complex would include 120 units By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian Two local developers are plan- ning a 120-unit apartment com- plex on a hillside above North Tongue Point on the eastern edge of Astoria. Stan and Cary Johnson have applied to develop 22 lots for mul- tifamily units on 18 acres along Old U.S. Highway 30, just outside a checkpoint into Tongue Point Job Corps Center. The subdivision, named Eagle Point, would start with a first phase of seven lots and a cul-de-sac off Old U.S. Highway 30. The second phase would include 15 more lots, while turning the cul-de-sac into a loop through the development. The type of buildings that would be on the lots have not been determined, and the Johnsons plan to retain ownership of the land through construction. The Johnsons included a small slice of just over 2,000 square feet in the middle of the develop- ment for park space, something the Astoria Planning Commission has the right to require. hearing Tuesday before the Plan- ning Commission for approval of the development’s prelimi- nary plat. While commissioners lauded the developers’ efforts to create more housing in Astoria in a challenging location, they took issue with the small size of the Park space The Johnsons came for a public See Complex, Page A8 Warrenton puts off vote on worker housing Film trail charts movie history in Astoria Decision could set a precedent By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Daily Astorian Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian A plaque near the Astoria Riverwalk recognizes the film location for ‘Kindergarten Cop.’ ing a memorable moment. “There’s more to this story of film- making in Astoria and Clatsop County and Oregon than ‘The Goonies,’” said McAndrew Burns, executive director of the Clatsop County Historical Soci- ety, which includes the Astoria-based Oregon Film Museum. Will the sign put a stop to issues at the Goonies house? “No,” Burns said. “Will it help? Yeah, I think it will.” Information about ‘Kindergarten Cop’ and ‘The Goonies’ By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Daily Astorian A storia is laced with trails. Some of them are official, but most are just narrow shortcuts best known to sur- rounding neighborhoods and enter- prising deer. A Historic Oregon Film Trail in the works will take people on a very different kind of journey, celebrating iconic set locations for classic films across the state, while also discourag- ing unwanted fan attention at one infa- mous house in Astoria. Astoria is a pilot project for the trail and signs have already been installed at two locations. They commemorate movies like “The Goonies,” “Kinder- garten Cop” and “Short Circuit.” One sign on the Astoria Riverwalk will pull double duty: informing pass- ers-by about “Kindergarten Cop” and “The Goonies,” while also providing Location, location, location Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Several scenes from the movie ‘Kindergarten Cop’ were filmed at Astor Elementary School. an alternative view of the “Goonies house” in Uppertown. Neighbors of the private home have complained for years about illegal parking, tres- passing and litter from fans eager for a closer look. Organizers hope the new sign keeps people at a distance while still provid- The sign is located across Lief Erikson Drive at 36th Street, on the other side of the Astoria Riverfront Trolley tracks near the East Moor- ing Basin parking lot. There is a view of Astor Elementary School, which starred in “Kindergarten Cop,” as well as views of a number of homes in the hills that have appeared on the silver screen, including the Goonies house. An accompanying soundtrack of sea lions barking, roaring and har- rumphing from the docks is just a bonus. The sign speaks mostly about “Kin- dergarten Cop,” but, Regina Willkie, See Trail, Page A7 WARRENTON — A vote on a code amendment that would allow Pacific Sea- food to develop dormitory-style housing for seasonal workers on industrial land in Warrenton has been delayed again. The City Commission will wait until after the new year to vote so that all com- missioners can be present. Mayor Henry Balensifer was absent at a meeting Tues- day night. The city will continue to accept writ- ten testimony through Jan. 2. “It is an important decision as I see it and it will set precedent for other indus- tries and this industry in the state of Ore- gon,” explained Commissioner Rick Newton, who led the meeting in Balen- sifer’s absence. The code amendment would allow the seafood processor to develop a living space for workers in an unused portion of a fabrication facility near Carruthers Memorial Park and the Warrenton Dog Park. Balensifer and others have called the code amendment, proposed in coordina- tion with the state, a “bold experiment” to develop workforce housing on land zoned for industrial, water-dependent use. But some neighbors worry the proj- ect could drastically change the character of the neighborhood. At a town hall meeting about the pro- posal in early December, neighbors also wondered about the quality of life for workers who might live in the new hous- ing. But while the code amendment is still being considered, there are scant details about what the housing might actually look like at Pacific Seafood’s property. If the City Commission approves the code amendment, the company will have to work with city building and plan- ning officials on what will ultimately be allowed inside the space and how many people it may house. Pacific Seafood says creative solutions are necessary to house seasonal workers as housing options dwindle or become even more expensive on the coast. The company is in the middle of developing similar dormitory-style housing on indus- trial land in Newport. In Warrenton, representatives of Pacific Seafood have committed to cre- ating a good-neighbor agreement with See Housing, Page A7 New pay equity law to take effect Some employers say they need more time By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau SALEM — Workers across Oregon could receive pay raises under the state’s unique pay equity law that goes into force Jan. 1, but state officials have been late direct- ing employers how to obey. Lawmakers in May 2017 passed one of the most com- prehensive pay equity laws in the nation, expanding protec- tions against pay discrimina- tion beyond just gender to 11 classes. Yet the state Bureau of Labor and Industries waited 18 months to finalize rules to guide employers on how to comply with the new and complicated law. The rules were released Nov. 19. Some employers say that doesn’t leave them enough time to identify disparities and adjust pay. “This is not something you do in an afternoon looking at payroll,” said Jenny Dresler, a lobbyist for the Oregon Farm Bureau. The organization rep- resents about 7,000 farmers and ranchers. “They look to us to help provide guidance on some of the new workplace poli- cies and laws,” Dresler said. “When I look at the timeline and the resources available to us, we do not have enough time to help everyone.” Oregon Labor Commis- sioner Brad Avakian, who is leaving office next month, didn’t return a telephone message Tuesday seeking comment, but his spokes- woman defended the agen- cy’s conduct. Jaime Valdez/Portland Tribune See Law, Page A8 State lawmakers approved a pay equity law in 2017.
