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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 2016)
November 4, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 7A Task force recommends park model homes in RV Park Housing from Page 1A Northwest Oregon Housing Authori- ty, local business representatives and more — began in 2014. This year, the task force saw con- ceptual designs for affordable hous- ing options on the downtown Spruce Street parking lot, the city’s RV park and the former children’s center building in Tolovana Park. The task force is recommending park model homes in up to 10 spaces at the city-owned RV Park for afford- able housing. A November presenta- tion at City Hall will provide more information about the homes. Putting park model homes in the RV Park would not require major changes in infrastructure and zoning, and would meet the need for individ- uals or couples, task force members said. The task force considered the Spruce Street concept unrealistic, as it would take up downtown parking. Though city government has pin- pointed a need for workforce hous- ing, some residents raised questions about whether the city can sustain more people and how neighbors of the RV Park would be affected. Res- idents have also spoken about keep- ing the Tolovana Park children’s cen- ter, one potential housing site, open for community use. The Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce supports the city’s efforts to create workforce housing. Court Carrier, the chamber’s ex- ecutive director, said the city’s need for an adequate workforce, afford- able housing and a school are inter- connected . “From the chamber’s perspective, our interest is to fi nd a place for em- ployees to live,” said Carrier, who serves on the board of Clatsop Eco- nomic Development Resources . “It is so diffi cult to recruit people to work here on a full-time basis if they can- not afford to live here.” City Planner Mark Barnes said it is diffi cult to imagine how Cannon Beach could grow. “It would have to be done through infi lling vacant lots, more density or more space,” he said. Building up is not an option for a town that prides itself more like a village than a city . new licenses for vacation rentals, one part of the short-term rental program, but decided against the suspension in August. A model for aff ordable housing at the former Children’s Center site. SUBMITTED PHOTO housing inventory and high prices. “Cannon Beach is one of the higher-priced communities along the coast,” with comparable prices to Lake Oswego, Risley said. An affordable house to someone making about $55,000 a year would be about $200,000, Risley said. In the past year, three houses in Cannon Beach sold for under $300,000. As of late August, some condo units were available for less than $200,000 — but only for an owner- ship stake of one month of annual usage. Risley, a member of the Chamber of Commerce board, said she recom- mends Seaside instead of Cannon Beach to buyers with lower price ranges in mind. “The inventory is a lot smaller in Cannon Beach than in Seaside, so there are more opportunities for a beach house that is affordable,” she said. Long-term rentals in Cannon Beach are scarce compared to Sea- side or Warrenton, said Bonnie Belden-Doney, North Coast Rental Property Manager with Windermere Stellar. Though short-term rentals provide ample fl exibility for property owners, Belden-Doney said homeowners can rent their house out for nine months out of the year. “I think it’s a win-win situa- tion when you rent long-term,” Belden-Doney said. “You have some- one who cares for the home.” Other renters, she said, are willing to live month-to-month in homes that are on the market. The renters must be prepared to leave when the house sells. Some property owners have shift- ed the use of their homes from va- cation rentals to long-term rentals to avoid dealing with short-term rental regulations, Belden-Doney said. However, Barnes said more prop- erty owners seem to be making their homes available as short-term rentals. Short-term rental debate According to c ensus estimates, 60 percent of Cannon Beach housing units are seasonal or vacation rentals. . S hort-term rentals have been tied to neighborhood disturbances and a factor in the lack of long-term rentals. But some say short-term rentals, con- sidered more lucrative than long-term rentals, are part of the city’s economy. Room taxes help fund the city’s bud- get. In the recent citizen survey, 59 percent said it was essential or very important that the city reduce the num- ber of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Barnes, who fi elds calls from peo- ple interested in purchasing invest- ment properties in Cannon Beach to rent short-term, said there is no proven connection between short-term rentals and the affordable housing shortage. The city considered suspending ‘When we fi nd someone who’s interested, it’s extremely diffi cult fi nding them housing so it’s aff ecting their ability to work here or not.’ Higher-priced community Robin Risley, principal broker at Cascade Sotheby’s International Re- alty, said Cannon Beach has a low Jason Menke, co-owner of Sea Level Bakery Local police raise money for Special Olympics Tip-A-Cop from Page 1A From Cannon Beach, Po- lice Chief Jason Schermer- horn, Corporal Joseph Bow- man, Offi cer Josh Gregory, Offi cer Jodi Symonds, Offi cer James Jordan and Administra- tive Specialist Valerie Man- nix served customers. From Seaside, Police Chief David Ham, Lieutenant Bruce Holt and Sergeant Johannes Kor- pela waited tables. Schermerhorn said the na- tional event was new for Can- non Beach. Though the police department has participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olym- pics in the past, he wanted to get the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser started. “It has been fun to meet the Olympians and hear their sto- ries,” Schermerhorn said. “It’s also nice working with staff and customers. It develops a good camaraderie between citizens and police offi cers.” As for waiting tables, Schermerhorn said it was dif- fi cult but fun. “It makes you respect other jobs,” he said. Clatsop County Special Olympics athletes Will Kelso, Beau Routh, Jason Cly and Sam McAloney greeted cus- tomers entering Mo’s Restau- rant, which hosted the fund- raiser. The athletes played soccer, basketball, bowling and more. Their bowling re- gional competition is coming up in Portland. Coach Steve McAloney, who got involved in the Spe- cial Olympics because of his son, said the event has led fi ve people to ask to help coach. The fundraiser brought in a line of people waiting to be waited on by cops. Mo’s co-manager Billie Jo Ed- monds said the restaurant “couldn’t say no” to the event when approached by Scher- merhorn. “It is benefi ting the Special Olympics of Clatsop County but also gives us the oppor- tunity to make connections with our police department,” Edmonds said. Judy Macho of the Special Olympics said the event was going smoothly and offi cers were “having a great time.” PUBLIC MEETINGS Monday, Nov. 7 Monday, Dec. 12 Tuesday, Jan. 3 Tuesday, Jan. 10 Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District, 6 p.m., Fire-Rescue Main Sta- tion, 188 Sunset Ave. Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District, 6 p.m., Fire-Rescue Main Sta- tion, 188 Sunset Ave. Cannon Beach City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Cannon Beach City Council, 5:30 p.m., work session, City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Tuesday, Nov. 15 Tuesday, Dec. 13 Cannon Beach Public Works Com- mittee, 9 a.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Cannon Beach City Council, 5:30 p.m., work session, City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Thursday, Nov. 17 Cannon Beach Parks and Commu- nity Services Committee, 9 a.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Cannon Beach Parks and Commu- nity Services Committee, 9 a.m., 163 E. Gower St. Cannon Beach Design Review Board, 6 p.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gow- er St. Tuesday, Dec. 6 Cannon Beach City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. 239 N. Hemlock • Cannon Beach • 503.436.0208 Owned and Operated by the Cleary Family 20 N. Columbia, Seaside 503-738-4331 Since 1976 discriminating diners have sought out this Seaside landmark. There’s a chalkboard fresh catchlist, exclusively natural Angus beef and a great regional wine list as well as local microbrews. From Steak & Lobster to Fish & Chips (and Chowder to die for) - this is worth the drive! 11am-10pm daily. Visit www.normasseaside.com 223 S Hemlock 503-436-2851 7AM - 3PM Daily From hashbrown potatoes ground fresh daily and award-winning sourdough pancakes to homemade soups and clam chowder, you’ll fi nd delicious family friendly dining at the Pig ‘N Pancake. Over 35 breakfast varieties and a complete lunch menu, too. Our dining area overlooks a beautiful wetland area and downtown Cannon Beach. Serving Seafood, Pizza, Sandwiches, Espressos, Beer, Wine, Ice Cream and our Homemade Desserts 503.436.9551 NORMA’S SEAFOOD & STEAK PIG ‘N PANCAKE Experience Family Dining in a Relaxed & Friendly Environment 156 N. Hemlock • Cannon Beach North Coast 271 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach 503.436.1539 • www.cafesweetbasils.com Tuesday, Dec. 20 “TO-GO” Orders Welcome Dining on the Live Music • Wine Tasting Cannon Beach Design Review Board, 6 p.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gow- er St. We have a fabulous patio where you can enjoy the weather and your meal. Jason Menke, co-owner of Sea Level Bakery, said some employees have had diffi culty fi nding housing or have been in-between housing. “It’s more diffi cult to fi nd employ- ees, because of the lack of housing there’s a lack of a workforce to begin with,” Menke said. “When we fi nd someone who’s interested, it’s ex- tremely diffi cult fi nding them housing so it’s affecting their ability to work here or not.” E mployees have found housing through Craigslist , word of mouth or are sleeping on friends’ couches. Staff has also lived in Wheeler or Gearhart, which is “doable but not ideal,” Menke said. Haystack Rock Awareness Program coordinator Melissa Keyser said the lack of housing affects the program’s employees, leading to high turnover. “I spend a lot of time hiring peo- ple,” she said, noting that some em- ployees have found rooms to rent but want their own space. For a period of time, Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn no- ticed some overnight campers were city employees who were unable to fi nd a place in town to live. Jordan Gulasky, a former Sea Lev- el Bakery employee who struggled to fi nd housing, said she felt understaffed at work this summer — and the ar- ea’s lack of affordable housing is not conducive to community activities for young people . “No one else can fi nd a way to live here so we have a severe lack of youth community,” she said. Gulasky has since relocated to an af- fordable home in Nehalem. City c ouncilors have tied the clo- sure of the children’s center in April with the lack of families in the area due to the housing shortage. Todd Johnston, the executive di- rector of the Northwest Oregon Hous- ing Authority, said the city affordable housing task force has a public process and “takes into account the different viewpoints of residents.” “Now it comes to a question of, ‘What does the community really want?’” he said. “I’m thankful that I’ve been able to be part of the pro- cess. There is not going to be an easy solution.” OPEN Wednesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner Thursday, Dec. 15 Cannon Beach Public Works Com- mittee, 9 a.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St. Businesses, workers aff ected Th e Bridge Morning Show With Mark Evans 6 am to 10 am Spend Aft ernoons With Skye 2 pm to 8 pm www.949thebridge.com TO PLACE YOUR AD HERE! 25 ONLY $ per issue Seaside Office: 503-738-5561 Astoria Office: 503-325-3211
