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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2020)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 BAKER CITY HERALD — 3A L OCAL B RIEFING Eagles Past Presidents Club dinner Friday Baker City couple drop effort to get permission to build home in Union By Sabrina Thompson The (La Grande) Observer UNION — Jane and Frank Wentzel of Baker City in August 2018 bought land in Union they hoped to build a home on. The property at 103 N. Bellwood St. is near Cath- erine Creek and close to their daughter. The Wentzels, both in their 70s, saw it as an ideal spot. What happened with trying to build there was far from ideal. After fi ghting for more than a year to live on the land, the Wentzels ended the effort. “The most maddening part was we wanted to use that land and live there, right by the riverfront,” Jane Wentzel said. “But we came to a dead end.” Union City Administra- tor Doug Wiggins said the Wentzels purchased the land knowing they would have to get a conditional-use permit in order to build a home there. The city zoned the 2.2 acres the Wentzels purchased as commercial property in 2015 after completing a nearly $30,000 study to develop a zoning map of the city. Jane Wentzel said she thought getting the permit would be a “no-brainer” be- cause two houses were estab- lished nearby. The Wentzels submitted an application for the permit on Oct. 10, 2018. The city’s planning commis- sion considered the matter a week later at a public hearing. Prior to and during the hearing, locals spoke for and against the permit. Busi- ness owners who shared the road with the property were concerned about their ability to grow their businesses and stood in opposition. Other lo- cals were concerned it would take away land from new businesses that might revital- ize the community. “You will add another nail in Union’s coffi n if this is approved,” Dick Middleton, a longtime Union resident, told the commission. The commission decided in a 3-1 vote to deny the permit. According to the letter the city sent the Wentzels, the de- nial was because allowing the land to be used for a residence would contradict the master plan for the city. “We felt like it was a gut punch after the planning commission meeting,” Jane Wentzel said. Wiggins supported the decision. “We don’t have a lot of commercial ground in town,” he said. As a compromise, the couple decided to split the land into three lots, and the planning commission unanimously approved. With two new lots for potential businesses and buyers, the Wentzels looked to change the zoning on the third lot to residential. FINDLEY fraction of 1,000 (more than 500). Continued from Page 1A Baker County, which has “I am looking forward to slightly fewer than 12,000 the opportunity to serve the registered voters, had a total people of Senate District of 12 votes, meaning each of 30,” Findley said in a press the three commissioners — release issued Monday Bill Harvey, Mark Bennett afternoon. “I have worked and Bruce Nichols — had four hard to represent the voices votes each. of Eastern Oregonians since The vote breakdown by I have been in the House of county: Baker, 12; Deschutes, Representatives and there is 17; Grant, 5; Harney, 5; Jeffer- much more work to be done. son, 15; Lake, 1; Malheur, 16; It has been an honor to serve Wasco, 16; Wheeler, 1. Neither the people of House District Clackamas nor Marion county 60 and I am looking forward had votes because the parts of to this new challenge.” those counties within District Although party commit- 30 are mainly in the Cascade tee members nominate Mountains, and neither has candidates, the fi nal choice more than 500 registered is made by commissioners voters. from the counties in District Baker County Commission- 30. That district, the larg- er Mark Bennett said the vote est geographically in the tally was 60.33 for Findley; Oregon Senate, includes all 15.99 for Runyon; and 11.34 of Baker, Grant, Harney, Jef- for Wattenburg. ferson, Malheur and Wheeler Bentz resigned Jan. 2 so he counties, as well as parts could focus his attention on of Deschutes, Lake, Wasco, running for Congress. Bentz Clackamas and Marion hopes to replace Greg Walden counties. as representative for Oregon’s Each county is allocated 2nd Congressional District. one vote for every 1,000 Walden announced last fall registered voters or major that he won’t seek re-election. They fi led for a zone change in April in addition to suggesting a zone swap for a residential property on Medical Springs Highway owned by Coy Wilde. Under that scheme, the Wentzels fi gured the city would not lose any residential or commercial property. However, the city denied the Wentzels’ proposal. The city in a letter cited the rejection was due to Wilde’s noncompliance with zoning conditions and out of con- cerns Wilde would not follow through on using his property for a business. The Wentzels presented their proposal during a June 19 public hearing before the planning commission. The fi nal decision regarding the matter went to the city coun- cil Aug. 12. During both public hearings, the Wentzels at- tempted to address concerns that opponents raised to the zone change. Some, such as Dennis Clark, who owns a workshop near the Wentzels’ property, said having people living in the commercial zone could lead to the city getting noise complaints. And Union resi- dent David Orcutt said, “I can see problems in the future with mixing and matching commercial and residential properties.” Not everyone disapproved. Gary Koegler of Union said he was in favor of the zone change because it would en- This is the second time lican nomination for House Findley, a Republican from District 60 in the May 2020 Vale, has been appointed to primary. replace Bentz in the Oregon Legislature. In January 2018, when Ted Ferrioli, the Republican who represented Senate District 30, was appointed to the Northwest Power and Conser- vation Council, commissioners from the counties in District 30 picked Bentz, then a state representative, as Ferrioli’s replacement. Bentz’s appointment in turn left his House seat open, and commissioners chose Findley to replace Bentz. Findley was then elected to a two-year term in November 2018, running unopposed. Findley’s appointment to replace Bentz in the state Senate leaves Findley’s seat in House District 60 vacant. The same process to fi ll that vacancy should start soon. The Oregon Legislature convenes for its abbreviated 2020 session on Feb. 3. Mark Owens, a Harney County commissioner, has already fi led for the Repub- Baker County has vacancies for volunteers to serve on the following: • Economic Development Council • Transient Lodging Tax Marketing Committee • Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Advisory Com- mittee • Parks and Recreation Board Volunteer forms are available at www.bakercounty. org/commissioners. OTEC seeks board candidates Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative is seeking candi- dates for a board of director seat for Baker County. The incumbent is Aletha Bonebrake. OTEC members interested in running for the seat should call 541-524-2831 or go to otec.coop/annual- meetingboard-elections A nominating committee will pick candidates, and members can also submit petitions, which are due by March 3. The board elections will take place in May. Conservation Districts dinner Jan. 17 The Baker County Association of Conservation Districts will have its annual dinner meeting Jan. 17 at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St. A no-host social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. The Association will recognize local landowners and partners and showcase their contributions to conserv- ing natural resources in Baker County. There are four districts in the county: Baker Valley, Burnt River, Eagle Valley and Keating. The Association staff helps landowners employ conservation projects through grants and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. Cost for the dinner is $15 per person, payable at the Association offi ce at 3990 Midway Drive in Baker City (near Saint Alphonsus Medical Center). Due to limited seating, RSVPs are required by visiting the offi ce or calling 541-523-7121, extension 100 or 109. ‘Bag It’ movie to be shown Jan. 15 The documentary “Bag It,” which follows a man who’s trying to reduce his use of plastic, will be shown for free on Jan. 15 at the Baker County Library, 2400 Resort St. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the fi lm starting at 6:30 p.m. The showing is sponsored by Baker City Trash Talk and the Baker Food Co-op. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Please bring drink and food containers if possible. Baker Food Co-op will have door prizes, and there will be a conversation about reducing the use of plastic products. Wheel Products & Services Baker County families a huge thanks and recogni- families and assists with ready to help kids tion for taking on a task most gift giving, from Community of us wouldn’t even consider. Every year Baker County comes together to do just that. Due to the generosity of the community, each foster child’s Christmas wishes are fulfi lled, and foster and relative care families are sup- ported during a time that can be stressful for any parent no matter the circumstances. To all of the anonymous indi- viduals who donated gifts, thank you! Your generosity is amazing. Our community of foster and relative caregivers also receive tremendous support from the staff of Powder River Correctional Facility who host their very own giving tree program, from CASA of Eastern Oregon who partners with Child Welfare each year to host events for our foster County needs volunteers for boards IT’S TIME FOR A DRAMATIC NEW LOOK H EART TO H EART Innumerable stories about the foster care system can be found in today’s headlines. I’d like to highlight a few positives and acknowledge that having a successful foster care system depends on having a supportive commu- nity. Although Baker County may be small, our need for foster homes remains high. Every day there are families who are answering this need by either providing general foster care or relative care. These families open their homes, their hearts, and invest tireless hours meeting children’s needs while helping them through heartaches and navigating a system that is sometimes diffi cult to say the least. These families and those who support them all deserve courage more people to move to town. The council again voted 3-1 against the zone change. The planning commission and city council both cited the 2015 study in their decisions. That was enough for the Wentzels. “We made the decision to stop digging in a hole that has no bottom,” Jane Wentzel said. She said they anticipate closing soon on a deal to sell two lots for $34,000 total, which will go toward paying off their debt incurred from purchasing the property. “The thing that kills me is they are just going to park equipment on the land,” she said. “I hope the city is happy with their decision. They could have had three new families.” But that was not the city’s intention for the land. “The city is not holding out for anything other than recognizing that it was zoned commercially and wishes to maintain that zone for com- mercial use,” Wiggins said. “The property was originally a fl our mill until it was torn down in the mid-1990s. It has always been commercial prop- erty, and the city continues to maintain it in that fashion.” Jane Wentzel said she and her husband plan to keep the remaining lot at 103 N. Bellwood St. as an area to spend time with family and will keep horses there. The Eagles Past Presidents Club will have a dinner Friday, Jan. 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Baker City, 2935 H St. The menu is lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert for $8. Members and their guests are welcome. Connection, who for the last three years has offered a terrifi c space to celebrate our foster parents through events tailored to them, and from Lew Bros. Les Schwab, which does a toy drive every year! Additionally, the ladies of the Baker City Quilt Club take it upon themselves to sew beau- tiful quilts for each child new to foster care. The generosity that blossoms during the holi- day season in this community is awe-inspiring! In closing, thank you to all who helped support our foster children and families either directly or indirectly. Your support no matter the season is invaluable and essential to raising healthy, happy children. Brooke Myers Baker City FREE WHEEL & TIRE CONSULTS FREE QUOTES FOR LIFT KITS & SUSPENSION TRAINED TECHS UP TO DATE TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT YOUR HOMETOWN TIRE DEALER
