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A2 Hood River News, Wednesday, April 8, 2015 G REATER G ORGE www.hoodrivernews.com Klickitat County will review marijuana moratorium By SVERRE BAKKE The Enterprise The question of continu- ing a moratorium on the production, processing, and retail sale of marijuana in unincorporated Klickitat County will be put to the board of commissioners during an April 14 public hearing in Goldendale. The County Board adopt- ed an ordinance on Oct. 21, 2014, that prohibits the es- tablishment of new mari- juana businesses outside the limits of the county’s three incorporated cities. By law, the County Board must hold a hearing every six months to determine if the public supports contin- uing the ban for another six months. The current mora- torium expires April 21. County officials say the purpose of the hearing “is to solicit public input and comment from interested parties on the possible ex- tension of the moratorium for another six months.” County commissioners could decide on April 14 to let the ban expire, adopt findings of fact in support of an extension, or contin- ue the matter for further discussion. The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. County Planning Direc- tor Curt Dreyer said renew- ing the ban for six months is just one option provided to the County Board under state law. “As with the prior hear- ings on the matter, I suspect both sides of the issue will be eager to voice their opin- ions and desire for a final decision favorable to their respective positions,” Drey- er said. The County Board enact- ed a six-month moratorium on marijuana businesses in late 2013. During a hearing on its continuation in April 2014, one person spoke for a ban or stricter local regula- tions, while more than 30 testified against county reg- ulations because the state already had stiff regula- tions in place to protect the public. County commissioners elected to let the moratori- um lapse. In that vacuum, some growers, processors, and retailers here became vested in the system regu- lated by the state Liquor Control Board (LCB). The county’s Oct. 21, 2014 mora- torium did not impact these b u s i n e s s e s, wh i c h a l s o would not be subject to any new county regulations. Last fall’s county ban on marijuana businesses came in response to public com- ments the County Board re- ceived throughout last sum- mer and fall on regular meeting days. Concer ns cited included the LCB’s lack of notification require- ments to neighboring prop- erty owners or the public at large. Concurrent to the board’s ongoing review, the Plan- ning Commission is con- ducting its own review of county regulations to deter- mine if code amendments should be enacted to apply to the different marijuana businesses that Washing- ton’s voter-approved Initia- tive 502 has brought forth as part of an evolving regional economy. So far, the Planning Com- mission has conducted workshops with new Sheriff Bob Songer and new Prose- c u t i n g A t t o r n e y D av i d Quesnel. Dreyer said plan- ning commissioners “have not developed any proposed amendments, let alone a consensus of a general di- rection.” Dreyer noted that during the workshop with Songer “there was some leaning to- ward proposal of a perma- nent ban.” He said it was s ug g ested the Planning Commission could hold two public hearings (one on each side of the county) and, based on testimony, recommend a permanent ban to the County Board, or continue to develop amend- ments applicable to grow- ing, processing, and retail sales of marijuana. One idea that surfaced in discussion was to designate a new zone for marijuana businesses, or to allow them in specific existing zones, such as, agricultural zones for growing and processing, and processing in industri- al zones). In any event, the Plan- ning Commission would have to conduct a properly noticed hearing to take pub- lic testimony. “At this point, there is no proposal on which the pub- lic could comment,” Dreyer said. However, the Planning Commission is becoming versed in the local history of the subject. Dreyer said he has provided each mem- ber with minutes of County Board meetings and hear- ings, “so they have a sense of the contentiousness of the issue.” But just holding a Plan- ning Commission hearing for the sake of holding a hearing would not be pro- ductive, he said. 9th Annual GORGE ARTISTS Photo courtesy of SCEMS S TEVENSON C AR C RASH Pioneer Pizza moving forward with plan for outdoor service The Enterprise The White Salmon City Council dedicated portions of both of its March meeting to a discussion with Pioneer Pizza owner Christiaan Erasmus about his plan to provide a dedicated but table-less out- door serving area for cus- tomers of his Jewett Boule- vard establishment on the north side’s upper sidewalk. Erasmus indicated on March 18 his plan for outdoor service must comply with Washington Liquor Control Board regulations and federal Americans with Disabilities Act access requirements. Be- cause liquor may be served there between 3 and 11 p.m. most days, the area will have to be blocked off on both ends, yet provide a clear 42-inch path into and out of the desig- nated service area. Pioneer Pizza staked out its intent in early March when it installed two wooden tables next to the railing opposite its entrance. Questions about whether they were legal or re- quired additional permitting were put to city officials be- fore the March 1 meeting. Erasmus appeared before the council that night to address any questions. Erasmus said his cus- tomers are demanding the extra service and he wishes to provide it because, in his mind, “it’s a money-maker.” “I have talked to a lot of peo- ple about this, and all feel it is good for the town, because it gives a leg up on Hood River,” Erasmus said, plus, like Henni’s sidewalk dining in the next block of Jewett, “it looks cool.” He added, “Pioneer needs to have a presence on the side- walk in the summer. It’s the Northwest.” David Dierck of the Inn of the White Salmon and Doug Ellenberger of Everybody’s Brewing both spoke in favor of rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Rediscover Skamania Friday, April 10th We’re welcoming you home! Come see all the exciting updates and additions to your favorite destination here at home in the Gorge. Doors open at 6 PM. $40 per person, your Rediscover Skamania Pass includes access to: • Great food • Culinary demonstrations • Special Waterleaf Spa experience • Wine and craft beer tastings • Live music Purchase passes in advance at the lodge, Skamania.com or at the door. O P E N S T UDIOS Free Tour • Visit 38 Artists April 10, 11, 12, 2015 10am-6pm Skamania County Emergency Medical Services responded to a vehicle accident in the 1100 block of SW Rock Creek Drive in Stevenson at 12:33 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. Crews arrived to find a small sedan approximately 40 feet over the embankment on the south side of the roadway. The vehicle was occupied with one driver, a 40-year-old female, who was entangled and en- trapped in the vehicle. Crews performed heavy extrication to free her from the vehicle and a ropes system to raise the injured patient up the hill to the roadway. She was transported with lights and sirens to a landing zone at Stevenson Elementary School and transferred to Life Flight. Life Flight transported her to Peace Health Southwest Medical Center. SCEMS, Skamania County Fire District No. 2, SCFD No. 1 and Skamania County Sheriff’s Office were on scene. By SVERRE BAKKE Erasmus’ plan. “I believe outside dining is good for business, and good for the town,” Dierck said, speaking in terms of more business and more employ- ment in the downtown com- mercial district. Ellenberger said having an establishment with outdoor seating “shows there’s life in town when people are passing through.” “Anything that helps drum up business in town, I’m for it,” he said. Police Chief Tracy Wyckoff expressed his concern that Pi- oneer Pizza is bringing a more boisterous environment “where people are a little more on the sporting side” outside onto the sidewalk. “With the way it’s set up, it seems it will be more of an outdoor drinking area than a wine-and-food establish- ment,” he said, referring to the current layout of bars and benches. Wyckoff noted that in his more than two years as chief of police, the department has had more noise complaints about Pioneer Pizza than any other establishment in Bingen or White Salmon. Wyckoff wanted to be assured Pioneer managers are going to moni- tor the behavior in and use of the sidewalk area to make sure “it’s not going to be a problem for the police depart- ment.” gorgeartists.org ESTATE SALE • 800-221-7117 • SKAMANIA.COM & LIVE AUCTION We’re cleaning out three barns and a house! Lots of antiques • Wood-burning cook stoves Roll top desk • King size bedroom set Hutch • Tables • Art and more Garage Sale & Auction Preview Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Auction Saturday, April 11 10 a.m. (Doors open 8 a.m.) Randy & Sheryl Graves 4300 Chamberlin Drive, Hood River FULL SAIL APRIL BREWMA STER DINNER Thai Flair THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH First Course FRIED VERMICELLI WRAPPED SHRIMP Vermicelli wrapped prawn served over green papaya salad topped with a sweet ginger Thai sauce. PAIRED WITH SESSION EXPORT Second Course FISH SAUCE CHICKEN WING Sweet yet savory sauce played down with fried garlic. PAIRED WITH FULL SAIL AMBER Intermezzo Third Course Coconut, mango, and lime zest. DUCK PAD PRIK KING Duck confit served over classic Thai Pad Prik King served with steamed jasmine rice. PAIRED WITH FULL SAIL IPA Fourth Course MANGO STICKY RICE Thai sticky rice with fresh sliced mango topped with Thai ginger sea salted coconut milk and toasted sesame seeds. "27" ANNIVERSARY WHEATWINE ALE $40 PER PERSON Quantities are Limited SERVING FROM 5:00 PM STEVENSON, WA “If we were to conduct a hearing simply to gather public opinion, they would hear the same arguments from both sides and still be no closer to a recommenda- tion to the board of com- missioners than they are now,” Dreyer said. As additional tools, Drey- er plans to provide plan- ning commissioners with ordinances from eight coun- ties that adopted local regu- lations to allow growing, processing, and retail sales of marijuana; county ordi- nances that treat marijuana as an agricultural product; and a Chelan County reso- lution that recognizes I-502 as a state program and bans acceptance of applications for marijuana businesses. Said Dreyer, “I hope that the examples of what other counties have enacted will help the Planning Commis- sion discuss our own zoning regulations and how they might be tweaked to accom- modate the new type of uses.” 506 COLUMBIA STREET HOOD RIVER, OR OPEN DAILY 11:00AM – 9:00PM 541-386-2247
