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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2015)
8A • March 13, 2015 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Council unanimously denies dune grading Current sand management plan relevant for now By Erick Bengel Cannon Beach Gazette The City Council, at its March 3 meeting, vot- ed unanimously to deny the Breakers Point Home- owners Association’s re- quest for a conditional use permit that would have allowed grading nearly 74,000 cubic yards of sand from the dunes. If it had been approved, the grading would have occurred west and south of the condominium complex over the next few years. The council’s vote upheld the planning commission’s denial in January. The council also de- cided that the current sand management plan — which several dune grad- ing opponents argued is outdated and not designed with a project of this mag- nitude in mind — still holds. However, the coun- cil has made updating the plan one of its goals for 2015. Proposals old and new Windblown sand, trapped in the European dune grass along the beach in front of the complex, has caused the dunes to grow as high at 40 feet in some areas, according to Tom Horning, a local ge- ologist working with the homeowners association. The dunes have begun to block the oceanfront views of some condo own- ers and cause stray sand to encroach on decks and patios. “The dunes grow back rather quickly,” said Horn- ing, who estimated they FRXOGULVHIHHWLQ¿YHWR 10 years. The dune grading proj- ect, which would reduce the dunes from the current 40 feet to about 31 feet, is meant to restore the res- idents’ views and stave off sand inundation while returning some sand to the beach’s sedimentation sys- tem. As originally proposed, the project included dump- ing about 7,000 cubic yards of graded sand into the Ecola Creek estuary to shore up the embank- ment beneath a condo’s foundation where erosion is occurring, according to Bruce Francis, proper- ty manager for Breakers Point. However, between the planning commission’s December and January meetings, the homeowners association revised its pro- posal in response to criti- cism from the commission and the public. Francis said that Break- ers Point would be willing to avoid putting any sand in the estuary; to depos- it the graded sand above the high-tide line rather than along the shoreline to avoid smothering ra- zor clams; and to spread out the dune grading so that 15,000 cubic yards would be graded every six months, beginning this spring, through 2017. Meanwhile, the homeown- ers association would pro- vide the city with ongoing environmental monitoring reports. ner Rainmar Bartl arrived at an “Aha!” moment in the late 1990s, when Bartl realized that the dunes are “not a natural environ- ment.” “They are a big pile of sand covered with a hor- rible invasive species,” Morgan said. “The dunes always grow back. It’s like snow falling on the East Coast: It has to be dealt with.” Misgivings The council ultimately decided to ignore Break- ers Point’s revised pro- posal, vote against the original proposal and advise the homeowners association to start over ERICK BENGEL PHOTO at the planning commis- Bruce Francis, property manager of the Breakers Point Homeowners Association, indi- sion. cates where the first phase of the proposed dune grading at Breakers Point would have In addition to his mis- begun. In some places, the dunes reach higher than 40 feet. givings about the size of the proposal, Councilor “This is an issue of admit that building those 0LNH%HQH¿HOGH[SUHVVHG Because the planning Clay condos on the foredunes, concern about what the commission decided that reasonableness,” Francis had essentially in- Newton, a Cannon Beach on the estuary, was a bad graded area would look troduced a new plan, it vot- homeowner told the coun- LGHDLQWKH¿UVWSODFHDQG like after the project was ed down the dune-grading cil. “This project is much never should have been ¿QLVKHG%DVHGRQ%UHDN- ers Point’s application, he request 4 to 2. Planning more sand than has ever allowed.” Carol Bennett, a home- said it looks as though the Commission members been proposed to be grad- owner on the north side, homeowners association Charles Bennett, Joe Ber- ed in Cannon Beach.” He pointed out — as reminded the council that plans to scrape the sand nt, Hank Johnson and Lisa Kerr voted to deny the re- did north Cannon Beach many families and tourists GRZQ ³WDEOHWRS ÀDW´ DW quest, and members Ryan residents Lisa Fraser, Jeff come to Cannon Beach for 31 feet, which he called Dewey and Chairman Bob Harrison and Jan Sie- its natural environment. “I “totally unacceptable.” Horning said that the Lundy voted to approve it. bert-Wahrmund — that think the dunes are for ev- Member Janet Patrick, a Breakers Point was sup- eryone and should not be ¿QLVKHGSURGXFW³LVQ¶WJR- Breakers Point homeown- posed to submit monitor- destroyed the way (Break- ing to look like a football ing reports for each of its ers Point is) talking about ¿HOGRXWWKHUH,W¶OOEHXQ- er, recused herself. eight dune grading proj- it,” she said. dulated. We’ll be putting a Residents weigh in ects since 2000, but most “Is it really worth few small dune structures At the City Council of those reports didn’t oc- the views of a few for in and replanting, so it’ll meeting in March, sev- cur. this monstrous project?” KDYH D QDWXUDO FRQ¿JXUD- eral local residents, who Resident Susan Glarum asked Fraser. tion.” said they value the dunes, said that an impact assess- %HQH¿HOG VDLG %UHDN- On the proponents’ spoke out against the un- ment on the effects of dune side, however, was former ers Point’s intention to precedented size of the grading should be done Cannon Beach Mayor give the graded sand a project, which is substan- before the council decides Mike Morgan, working as natural appearance should tially larger than anything whether to approve the a consultant for Breakers EH UHÀHFWHG LQ IXWXUH undertaken before in the Breakers Point propos- Point. He said that former dune-grading applica- city. al. She added, “Let’s just Cannon Beach City Plan- tions. Cannon Beach Police Log Feb. 15 12:34 a.m. East Second Street: camping within city limits. Two subjects warned for overnight camping. 1:04 a.m. 200 block of North Hemlock Street: camping within city limits. Subject warned for overnight camping. 1:26 a.m. Tolovana Way- side: camping within city limits. Subject warned for overnight camping. 1:33 a.m. Tolovana Way- side: camping within city limits. Subject warned for overnight camping. 1:38 a.m. Tolovana Wayside: camping within city limits. Two subjects warned for overnight camping. 1:49 a.m. 84000 block of U.S. Highway 101: suspicious circumstances. Located male hunched over and asleep be- hind the wheel. Vehicle was running, in park, and lights were on. Contacted male, who had fallen asleep while texting wife. Negative impairment. fireworks offense. Report of fireworks south of Haystack Rock. Located spent fireworks, but suspects were gone prior to arrival. Feb. 16 2:28 a.m. East Second Street: camping within city lim- its. Subject warned for overnight camping. 11:33 p.m. Second Street RV parking: camping within city limits. Subject(s) warned for unlawful lodging. Feb. 17 2:25 p.m. Hemlock and Sec- ond streets: other all. Complaint of a man yelling. Officer arrived and made contact with the man, who was preaching. Nothing further. Officer cleared. Feb. 21 5:47 p.m. Les Shirley Park: suspicious circumstances. Sub- ject contacted for suspicious cir- cumstances. Subject found to be on probation. Subject had consumed heavy alcohol. Offi- cer advised and issued detainer for subject. Subject taken to jail, where she provided breath sam- ple of 0.28. Taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital and cleared by ER doctor. Taken back to jail and turned over to jail staff. 10:13 p.m. Gower and Hem- lock streets: hit and run, vehicle vs. property. Feb. 22 1:47 a.m. Tolovana Way- side: camping within city limits. Subject warned for overnight camping. 1:55 a.m. Tolovana Way- side: camping within city limits. Subject(s) warned for overnight camping. Feb. 23 1:15 p.m. 100 block of Elliott Street: dog at large. Report of cold, aggressive dog at large. Dog came onto the reporting party’s property. Reporting party had to shoo away with a broom. Owner came and took control of the dog. Officer con- tacted dog owner, who apolo- gized profusely, stating that the dog is territorial and not used to the beach house. Owner will keep dog on her property until she leaves later today and will leave dog at home next time. streets, but the vehicle did not come back. 8:57 p.m. U.S. Highway 101 at north entrance: fugitive. Driver cited for driving while suspended and arrested for outstanding warrant. Feb. 25 Feb. 24 Feb. 27 12:10 p.m. East Adams and South Hemlock streets: suspi- cious circumstances. Received report of a white van with two bald men that had stopped and asked complainant for direc- tions to downtown. Reporting party stated it was suspicious and was concerned they would come back and kidnap her. No other information. Caller wished to remain anonymous. Officer checked downtown and then waited in the presidential 6:47 p.m. 3300 block of South Hemlock Street: trespass. Trespass notice signed by man- ager of the Warren Pub. Person trespassed from the Warren Pub and Bill’s Tavern. Person located at the American Legion, issued his copy of the signed trespass notice. 5:03 a.m. U.S. Highway 101 at milepost 32: motor vehicle accident. Feb. 28 4:37 p.m. Spruce Street: motor vehicle hit-and-run. 2:14 p.m. Second Street at ocean shore: missing per- son. Person reported missing 9-year-old. Prior to officer ar- rival, missing person was found. 7:28 p.m. City Hall parking lot: motor vehicle accident. Hit and run. 8:56 p.m. Nelchena Street: 5:29 p.m. West Gulcana Avenue: camping within city limits. RV parked on the west end of Gulcana. Owner not in the area. Officer left note on the RV explaining the parking and overnight camping code. Checked the area later; the RV was gone. M a rch 24 th CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT CLASS Oregon – D on’t m iss a n issue! Utah - Valid 34 States 1p m o r 6 p m Best W estern : 5 5 5 Ha m b urg Ave, Asto ria O OR/Utah–valid R/U ta h— va lid in in WA W A $80 $80 or o r Oregon O reg o n only o n ly $4 5 $45 Cory Pederson Cond uctor/Artistic Director | Firea rm Tra in in gN W @ gm a il.com w w shauncurtain.com w .Firea rm Tra in in gN W .com ~ shauncurtain@gmail.com 36 0-921-2071 360-921-2071 SPRING CONCERTS P RESENTING The Coaster Theatre Playhouse Presents WIND , BRASS AND STRING ENSEMBLES Frid ay, M arch 20 th 7pm Cannon Beach Com m . Church 132 E. W ashington St, Cannon Beach & Saturd ay, M arch 21 st 7pm N .C. Rec. Dist. Aud . 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