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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2021)
LOCAL Wallowa.com Wallowa sites featured on new coalition map By RONALD BOND Wallowa County Chieftain WALLOWA COUNTY — A pair of preserved land parcels within Wallowa County are part of a new map highlighting protected lands throughout Oregon. The new “The Oregon I Am” map, which was released by the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, “highlights 81 diff erent locations throughout the state that anyone can visit, all of them made possible in part by Oregon’s system of nonprofi t land trusts,” a press release from COLT states. Among the land on the map are the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve and the East Moraine above Wallowa Lake in Wal- lowa County. The preserve is 33,000 acres of land in the northeast portion of the county, while the moraine covers about 1,800 acres near the lake. A major part of the project is awareness — letting residents throughout the state know about these locations. “Not a lot of people know about it,” Kelley Beamer, COLT executive director, told the Chieftain. “It’s been pro- tected for the public. Having it on the map reminds peo- ple it’s this vast, majestic prai- rie that changes every season. We wanted to celebrate that property. “The East Moraine is a symbol of community com- ing together to make sure that landscape is protected.” In all, the 81 locations encompass more than 100,000 acres of land in the state. The coalition includes 30 nonprof- its from throughout the state, including the Wallowa Land Trust. “Many of their properties, or properties they’ve helped conserve, have been open to the public for years. But only now have they been compiled in one place and all of them visible on one map,” Beamer said in the release. “This is your go-to resource to dis- cover a new family favorite picnic spot, or walk, or river- side hangout. And it’s an invi- tation for everyone living in Oregon to step outside and to safely connect to each other and the wonder of our lands.” The land is a portion of more than 350,000 acres coali- tion members have protected. “What was included in this map shows what we felt like a community was safe and accessible to bring commu- nity members,” Beamer said. She noted that among the land not included is habi- tat that could be considered more sensitive, such as wet- land areas. “These kind of represent the crown jewels people can enjoy safely,” she said. The idea behind the map was one that formulated about a year ago from a desire to show more places to more people. “After this last year, we knew there was a thirst for seeing some of Oregon’s spe- cial places and sharing our community with more Ore- gonians,” she said. “This is a map, but it is also a story about this incredible commu- nity of organizations.” They are locations, Beamer added, that are not necessarily featured through other state entities. “They are often hidden gems. They are not necessar- ily found on the Travel Ore- gon website,” she said. “I per- sonally have been astounded the last eight years going to these places that are so spe- cial. It was the perfect moment to launch something that we could get out there and con- nect them to local land trusts.” As for whether The Ore- gon I Am adds to its map, Beamer wants that to be the case. “My hope is that we con- tinue to expand it and update it on a continual basis,” she said. “I know Wallowa Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy and other groups are always look- ing at new places. I’m assum- ing there will be more.” And she hopes it helps the communities around these locations, including in Wal- lowa County. “Anyone who lives in Wal- lowa County knows what a special place it is,” she said. “I think Oregonians know there are really incredible gems to be visited. By having this on this map it really brings to light — it’s a call to adventure, come, stay and invest in the community. Anytime a map is produced and excites people it’s an opportunity to support local businesses.” Wednesday, May 12, 2021 A7 Enterprise puts hold on any new Airbnbs Enacts 90-day moratorium with possible extension By BILL BRADSHAW Wallowa County Chieftain ENTERPRISE — A 90-day moratorium on any new Airbnbs in Enterprise was approved by the City Council during its meeting Monday, May 10. A resolution affi rm- ing the three-month ban with the option to extend it for another 90 days was approved unanimously, despite some disagreement between council members over the rights of property owners. City Administrator Lacey McQuead said she had reached out to Airbnb own- ers to get their input with only limited response. “The Planning Commis- sion held a meeting. I sent out nine invites to Airbnb owners within the city of Enterprise,” McQuead said. “There are 16 Airbnbs so that means seven of them are not registered with us. Out of the nine, one cou- ple showed up, but I did get some input from some other Airbnb owners. (Enterprise resident) Stacy Green also attended the Planning Com- mission meeting. There was great conversation between them — they happened to be neighbors, so the one she was concerned about had someone attending.” Still, McQuead seemed disappointed more Airbnb owners hadn’t responded. “That was it,” she said. “Even with all the advertis- ing and invitations to come to the Planning Commission meeting and I invited them to come to this meeting, as well. That was all that we received.” NEOEDD assessment discussed But one of the main issues seemed to be the availability of aff ordable housing. McQuead presented a letter from the Northeast Oregon Economic Devel- opment District that she asked Mayor Ashley Sulli- van to read into the record. The letter was largely about Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain Enterprise city Administrator Lacey McQuead, left, talks to Mayor Ashley Sullivan, center, and Public Works Director Ronnie Neil during the Enterprise City Council’s meeting Monday, May 10, 2021. short-term vacation rentals in residential zones and the economic impact of them. The NEOEDD recently con- ducted a Community Needs Assessment to assess the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January, NEOEDD con- ducted more than 70 inter- views with a wide variety of community leaders and organizations. “Like many other rural areas, housing-related chal- lenges are widespread.” Among the results of the assessment were: • More aff ordable hous- ing is needed for workforce and moderate-income fam- ilies and individuals. A lack exists due to the conversion of residential housing to tourism lodging by absentee property owners and second homeowners. • Limited rental options are available for tenants due to them being priced out of units because of increasing property values. The letter also cited the real-dollar impacts. • People working in low- er-wage jobs … have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The major- ity of jobs in the region pay less than $15 per hour, while two adults working full time would each need to earn at least $16.06 per hour to cover basic needs in a household with one child, $19.88 per hour for two chil- dren and $23.09 an hour for three children. • Lack of aff ordable workforce housing, an aging population, the high cost of living and underemploy- ment have negative eff ects on retaining a workforce. The letter stated that since the city already has zoning ordinances, “education and outreach could help spread understanding of the permit- ting requirements involved and the process by which confl icts are addressed.” The NEOEDD also urged the city to review Hood Riv- er’s example. That city rec- ognized the benefi ts both of visitor lodging and the downside of converting lim- ited housing to visitor use. Councilmen David Elliott and Rick Freeman had a diff erence of opinion on property owners being able to do what they want with their property. “Some of these places are just used as drop-off sites for drug dealers because they know no one is living there,” Elliot said, citing research he had done. Freeman questioned the high rents some had cited, saying he owns two rentals and charges $800 a month for each, considerably lower than the oft-cited fi gure of $1,200 a month. But both voted with the rest of the council to vote in favor of the 90-day mor- atorium. This came after the Planning Commission met with city attorney Wyatt Baum to determine how any change in municipal code should be conducted. The council expects to gather more information during the 90-day moratorium to deter- mine if it warrants extension. McQuead said interest in Airbnbs hasn’t subsided. “In the time between the last council meeting and the Planning Commission meeting, I’ve had seven phone calls from people in the city of Enterprise inter- ested in opening Airbnbs,” she said. “Three of them were approved based on the fact that they submitted their applications prior to the meeting; the rest of them had not. … Every single one of the persons interested in an Airbnb are in a residen- tial zone.” Concerns over where the Airbnb owners would live also was an issue. “The biggest issue we face right now is that a lot of people are moving out of town and they’re wanting to turn their property into Airbnbs,” McQuead said. “The commission’s con- cerns were that the proper- ty’s not going to be taken care of. Five other people who called me are not even going to be in the state of Oregon anymore. That was a huge concern to the com- mission. Beyond that, the majority are up around the school, so they weren’t com- fortable enough just leaving things as they are — allow- ing things to continue — without further review of the concerns.” Wallowa County FREE Chess Club No meeting until further notice but look forward to seeing you soon! JERICHO PET st E ro R ng S White wins the exchange. OF THE Peters had a Enterprise’s Jericho the Mac-Hi Three- ay 4th at performance on M rs took top honors in the te way track meet. Pe conds) and 200 (23.68), se 24 1. (1 s 100 meter feet, 4 the long jump (18 in nd co se onal and was pe posted three rs inches). The senior ing him this weeks ak bests on the day, m hlete of the Week! udly At Pro onsore d b y Sp “Play golf for your body. Play chess for your mind.” JOSEPHY CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE 5/5 Solution NXf6 403 Main Street Joseph, Oregon Congratulations! Coleman Oil Wallowa Cardlock is NOW OPEN • Conveniently Located • Accepting all Major Credit/Debit and CFN Cards • Easily Accessible for Semi trucks, Campers and RV’s • Non-Ethanol Premium • 24/7 Fueling 71051 HWY 82 Wallowa, OR 97885 888-799-2000 www.colemanoil.com HATS OFF TO WALLOWA COUNTY’S CLASS OF 2021 you rock! To advertise in the Wallowa County Chieftain Contact Jennifer Cooney jcooney@wallowa.com • 541-805-9630 209 NW First St., Enterprise OR • 541-426-4567 • wallowa.com