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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2015)
REGION Wednesday, April 8, 2015 East Oregonian Page 3A UMATILLA Port still plans to build warehouse Project paid for through $1.5M state Department of Transportation grant By GEORGE PLAVEN East Oregonian The Port of Umatil- la still plans to build a 15,000-square-foot ware- house using state transpor- tation funds awarded near- ly three years ago. It is the same project that was initially pro- posed on disputed land just east of the Big River Golf Course in Umatilla, ZKHUH SRUW DQG FLW\ RI¿- cials fought over how the property was zoned dating back to 1977. The case nearly went before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals before sides came to an agreement in February. All the while, the port has held on to a $1.5 million grant from the state Department of Transportation that was initially recommended for approval in June 2012. General Manager Kim B. Puzey told port com- missioners at their meet- ing on Tuesday that he is working to submit a new project schedule to ODOT within the next 30 days, though the agency is quickly running out of pa- tience. Puzey said they will likely move the devel- opment west across Bud Draper Road, which would maintain roughly the same distance to the port’s Co- lumbia River dock and ac- cess to Interstate 82. “Logistically, it’s about the same distance and the utilities are as readi- ly available,” Puzey said. The port had wanted to build the warehouse on the east side of Bud Draper Road, which raised objec- tion from the neighboring golf course and home- owners. The city planning commission denied the project’s site plan appli- cation after ruling the land was, in fact, zoned resi- dential, and not industrial DV UHÀHFWHG RQ WKH FLW\¶V RZQRI¿FLDOPDSV That designation, the city claimed, was based on a decade-old mapping HUURU DQG ZDV QHYHU RI¿- cially approved by the city council. Ultimately, the port agreed to sell the en- tire strip of land to the city for $176,000, excluding property where Aramark Uniform Services had al- ready developed, rather than argue the case in front of LUBA. Now, Puzey said they are moving forward with a change order for the warehouse — described as a multi-modal marine freight transfer facility — in order for companies to have a building where they can store their products en route to shipping along the river or on highways. Chris Cummings, freight program manager for ODOT, said they un- derstand the project’s de- lay is based on unforeseen circumstances. The agen- cy will review the port’s updated schedule once it is submitted, he said, and there is no hard and fast time frame for approval. ——— Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564- 4547. STANFIELD City considers annexing property at interchange Prefer restaurant and/or hotel at I-84 and Hwy 395 making it possible for a business to connect to a city water line instead of trying to secure water rights for a well. “It really wasn’t feasi- By JADE MCDOWELL ble to use the property for East Oregonian anything but agriculture before,” Larsen said. Adding 25 acres to The area is zoned for 6WDQ¿HOG¶V FLW\ OLPLWV commercial use and is could pave the way for visible to travelers on new development off In- the interstate. Annexing terstate 84. the property into the city The city’s planning would mean it would be commission is holding a served by city utilities, public hearing Wednesday police protection, the road on a proposal to annex four department and other city tax lots at the intersection services. of Interstate 84 and High- “The city’s preferred ZD\LQWR6WDQ¿HOG use would be to attract a “The city has been hotel/restaurant combina- working with the property tion but we’re open to oth- owners to do what we can er things,” Larsen said. to help make the proper- He said he hasn’t heard ty more marketable,” city any opposition to the plan manager Blair Larsen said. and expects Wednesday’s The properties, east of hearing to be more of a Highway 395 across from formality than a debate. the Pilot Travel Center, The hearing is sched- would be a prime location uled for April 8 at 7 p.m. for a restaurant, hotel or DW WKH 6WDQ¿HOG FRXQFLO other commercial devel- chambers, 150 W. Coe opment in because of in- Ave. WHUVWDWHWUDI¿F%XW/DUVHQ ——— said development was lim- Contact Jade McDowell ited until the city improved at jmcdowell@eastorego- its water system last year, nian.com or 541-564-4536. SUBMIT COMMUNITY NEWS Submit information to: community@eastoregonian. com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541- 966-0818 with questions. Staff photo by E.J. Harris A Springtime stroll Addison Schulberg of Pendleton walks his new puppy, a 12-month-old boxer-weimaraner mix, down Main Street on Tuesday in Pendleton. Schulberg says he named the dog Tula, short for Spatula. BRIEFLY Preus to discuss BMCC bond proposal PENDLETON — Cam Preus, president of Blue Mountain Community College, will speak about the college’s bond during the upcoming meeting of the Round-Up Republican Women. Preus will provide details and answer questions about the bond proposal that will appear on the May 19 ballot. The no-host luncheon is Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at the Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pendleton. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 541-276-5330. Library welcomes April artist HERMISTON — A display of western art by Linda Phillips is featured during the month of April at the Hermiston Public Library. A reception is planned Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Refreshments will be served. A lifelong Hermiston resident, Phillips is an award-winning western artist. Her work has been chosen for many prestigious shows throughout the western United States. She specializes in contemporary horses and cowboys in pencil but also is broadening out into landscapes, plants and wildlife. For more information, call Marie Baldo or Jodi Hansen at 541-567-2882. Cowgirls in Cahoots opens Thursday PENDLETON — Janene Grende and Connie Spurgeon, both nationally known for their western paintings of horses, cowgirls and wildlife, are featured in an exhibit at Pendleton Art + Frame. The opening and artist’s reception for Cowgirls in Cahoots is Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 36 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton. Refreshments will be served. In addition, both artists will be doing painting demonstrations Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Paintings and prints will be available for purchase. Also, Spurgeon will bring a new selection of her cowgirl buckle jewelry. The exhibit remains through Monday, May 4. New shop hours are Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 541-276- 3617. Free seedlings offered at Home & Garden Show PENDLETON — The Umatilla National Forest is once again partnering with Pendleton Parks, Recreation and Cemetery to offer free tree and shrub seedlings during the Pendleton Home & Garden Show on Saturday, April 11. More than 400 seedlings will be handed out during the event, limited to one per IDPLO\RQD¿UVWFRPH¿UVW serve basis. Species include chokecherry, mountain alder, ponderosa pine, serviceberry and Englemann spruce. In conjunction with Arbor Day, Pendleton Parks and Recreation is continuing its “Plant 1,000 Trees” initiative to beautify the city. Residents have already planted 850 trees as of April 22, 2014. For more information, or to add a tree to the city’s list, visit www.pendletonparksandrec. com/1000-trees. Oregon celebrates Arbor Day festivities during the ¿UVWIXOOZHHNRI$SULOZKLOH National Arbor Day is Friday, April 24. PSD holds meetings on redrawing school boundaries PENDLETON — With Lincoln Primary School and West Hills Intermediate School set to take on differ- ent purposes in the next few years, the Pendleton School District will host a series of public meetings about redrawing the district’s ele- mentary school boundaries. According to a district press release, the district is seeking public input on boundary options with the intention of implementing new district maps for the 2016-2017 school year, when the new buildings for Washington and Sherwood Heights elementary schools are scheduled to open. Made possible by a $55 million bond passed in 2013, Lincoln and West Hills will be converted the district’s FHQWUDORI¿FHDQGDFDUHHU technical center, respectively. There will be meetings April 10th - 12th HOME & OUTDOOR Fri 12 - 6 Sat 9 - 5 Sun 10 - 4 FREE Admission! @ The Convention Center DWHDFKRIWKHGLVWULFW¶V¿YH school. • April 22: Lincoln • April 27: West Hills • April 28: Sherwood • April 29: McKay Creek • April 30: Washington All meetings start at 6:00 p.m. Hermiston chamber seeks nominations HERMISTON — Is your administrative assistant WRSVLQWKHLU¿HOG",IVR the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce encourages you to nominate them as the Professional Assistant of the Year. All nominees will be honored during the Tuesday, April 28 event at 11:45 a.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Nominations are due by Friday. In addition, tickets for the no-host luncheon are $18 each. For more information, to obtain a nomination form or reserve tickets, contact 541-567-6151, info@hermistonchamber. com or visit www. hermistonchamber.com. Conference features FHUWL¿HGJHQHDORJLVW MT. VERNON — A ERDUGFHUWL¿HGJHQHDORJLVW is featured during the Spring Genealogy Seminar. Connie Lenzen, a former National Genealogical Society director, will share about research. Presented by the Grant County Genealogical Society, seminar classes will include vital records on the Internet, evidence analysis, newspaper research and Oregon Trail research. The event is Saturday with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon Community Hall, 640 Ingle St., Mt. Vernon. The cost is $34 if paid in advance or $40 at the door. The price includes lunch. For more information, contact Jeannette at gcgsociety94@yahoo.com or 541-932-4718. Kiwanis plan park project PENDLETON — A work day is planned at Kiwanis Park in Pendleton. The Pendleton Kiwanis Club will prepare for the upcoming season of use for the park Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at 1800 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. The primary project includes spreading new wood chips in the playground area. The group selected April 11 as its project day to coincide with Kiwanis International’s Kiwanis One Day. Kiwanis clubs around the globe are encouraged to organize a day of service to their communities in support of the day. For more information about the project, contact Randy Mills at 541-278- 5403 or randy.mills@ oregtonstate.edu. Take Home Bleach Kits just $40 in April! D r. H ibbert D ental 1100 Southgate, Suite 3 Pendleton, OR 97801 www.drhibbertdental.com • 541-612-3707 STUDENT OF THE WEEK Oskar Peterson I ONE C OMMUNITY S CHOOL Oskar Peterson is an outstanding Ione Community School Student. Oskar is ASB President and shows all the quality characteristics that would make any President or student succeed. He is responsible, dependable, intelligent, and kind. Oskar volunteered last summer for the local reading program, during which he helped prepare materials and helped get students excited about reading. He plays the trumpet in the Ione advanced band, the Ione community pep band, and the Eastern Oregon Symphony. Oskar will graduate from Ione in June with over 40 college credits and ready to take on his next adventure. While at Ione he has been a leader, a positive community member, and a model student! Proudly Sponsored by Working Every Day for a Healthy Community 541-667-3400 • 610 NW 11 th • Hermiston
