August 5, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 3A
With variances, Pearl of Seaside
motel project moves forward
By R.J. Marx
Seaside Signal
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Regional ireighters worked quickly to bring a two-alarm
apartment ire under control July 29 in Seaside.
Apartment ire
leaves ten homeless
A two-alarm ire at a
small apartment complex at
381 S. Edgewood in Sea-
side on July 29 was quick-
ly brought under control by
ireighters. When crews
arrived smoke was coming
from the back of the six-unit
structure.
Occupants present at
the time of the ire escaped
unharmed, though six cats
were reported to have died
while 20 additional cats
were rescued and treated for
smoke inhalation.
The ire, which occurred
at approximately 4:39 p.m.
on Friday, affected nine
adults and one child. Re-
sponding to the needs of
those displaced, the Amer-
ican Red Cross Cascades
Region helped address the
immediate basic needs of
those affected with tempo-
rary housing, food, clothing,
comfort kits, and other ser-
vices.
Seaside Fire and Rescue
was supported by crews
from Cannon Beach Fire
and Rescue, Gearhart Vol-
unteer Fire Department and
Warrenton Fire Department.
Additional Clatsop County
resources were utilized for
coverage during the ire. The
cause of the blaze is current-
ly under investigation.
One motel will come
down and another will go up
as the Seaside Planning Com-
mission approved variances
for the Pearl of Seaside, a 48-
room motel on the Prom.
The property is being de-
veloped by Antoine and Rocio
Simmons of Haystack Lodg-
ings, a management company
that owns and operates bou-
tique motels, including Sea-
side’s Gilbert Inn, which the
couple purchased in 2014.
“I don’t want it to be a
square box,” Antoine Sim-
mons said of the Pearl. “I
want it to be something that is
architecturally designed, that
has some character. I want it
to be something people dis-
cover, that’s unique, one-of-
a-kind.”
Approval and indings,
which include a height vari-
ance and setback adjustments
to meet city parking standards,
were presented Tuesday, July
19, by Planning Director Kev-
in Cupples.
The Pearl will replace the
Inn at the Prom, which Sim-
mons purchased in 2011 when
it was the Edgewater. The
property was built in 1920 as
a home and “is in generally
R.J. MARX/SEASIDE SIGNAL
The Pearl of Seaside will be
built upon this vacant lot,
pending a sale.
SUBMITTED DRAWING
Rendering of The Pearl. Note adjacent parcels under separate
ownership.
poor condition and in need
of replacement,” according to
planning documents. Part of
the Pearl will be built on a va-
cant property next door, now
under contract with Simmons,
which he described as “a seri-
ous eyesore to everyone.”
Plans for the new hotel
include a two-level parking
garage on Beach Avenue with
41 inside spaces. An addition-
al 10 outdoor spaces will be
available on Avenue A. Only
one level of the Beach Avenue
garage will be visible from
the street, he said. A variance
was required to bring parking
spaces to code.
Rooms are proposed for
three loors, while a penthouse
loor drawing shows ive
rooms capped by a tower roof.
Because of street grade
differences on the property,
the couple requested a 7-foot
height variance to exceed the
building height limit of 45 feet.
“We’re at 52 feet, next door,
they’re 51,” Simmons said of
the neighboring Promenade
hotel. “We’re pretty much mir-
rored. We’re going to be side
by side, same height.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Clatsop ire season
restrictions announced
The Oregon Department of Forestry and Clat-
sop County Fire Defense Board announce ire
season restrictions. Fire season was declared July
21, and the following guidelines have been ad-
opted.
Open debris burning is prohibited, with cer-
tain conditions. Burn barrels are allowed; some
permits may be required.
Recreational ires are allowed at designated
campsites, personal residents and beaches. They
must be no closer than 50 feet from dune grass
and 15 feet from any structure. No ires are al-
lowed in drift wood. Maximum ire size is 3 feet
in diameter and 2 feet in height.
Fires must be attended at all times, and com-
pletely extinguished when leaving. Fires may not
be allowed during periods of extreme ire condi-
tions, such as high winds, low humidity, extended
periods without moisture.
Permits are required for permanent or tempo-
rary recreational ires.
For more information contact Seaside Fire
and Rescue, 503-738-5420.
Trail’s End Art Association presents a show
by Linda Gebhart opening Aug. 6. The reception
and opportunity to meet the artist are a part of the
Gearhart Art Walk from 2-5 p.m. at 656 A Street in
Gearhart; 503-717-9458.
‘Meet the Artist’ at
Gearhart ArtWalk
North Coast Land Conservancy has opened
registration for its inaugural CoastWalk Oregon,
scheduled for Sept. 23-25. Participation is limited
to the irst 50 registrants.
The walk will follow the route of the Oregon
Coast Trail, beginning at the Columbia River’s
south jetty and ending in Cannon Beach.For de-
tails or to register, visit CoastWalkOregon.org.
Gearhart ArtWalk takes place Saturday, Aug.
6, from 2 to 5 p.m. A Great Gallery features pet
portrait artist Deanne Johnson; 576 Paciic Way,
503-709-2840.
Seaside gives green light to
dog park near middle school
By Dave Fisher
Seaside Signal
A new dog park is coming
to Seaside.
The Seaside’s Parks and
Recreation Committee re-
quest for the conditional ap-
proval of the city’s irst dog
park was granted July 25 at
the City Council meeting. The
park will be located in an “un-
derutilized area” at the north
end of the Broadway Middle
School parking lot.
“It will dress up that part
of town,” said Public Works
Director Dale McDowell in
his summary of the project to
council members.
The Planning Commis-
sion conditionally approved
the plans at a meeting in ear-
ly July. In their decision, it
okayed a park to provide a
central located fenced-off area
where the public can exercise
their dogs on and off leash.
Utilizing mostly recycled
materials, such as chain link
fencing and even a nonfunc-
tional ire hydrant as a deco-
rative addition, the cost to the
city was kept to a minimum;
$780, according to McDowell.
The proposed dog park
will provide a centrally lo-
cated facility that can be used
by residents and visitors with
parking and ADA accessibili-
ty in place.
“It’s amazing that you can
do this for $780,” said Coun-
cilor Randy Frank. “Once
again, Seaside has set the
standard.”
Oregon Coast Trail hike
coming in September
While public comment
was closed, neighbors have
an opportunity to appeal
to Seaside City Council,
but the deadline for ap-
peal, Aug. 4, has passed.
Simmons said he plans to de-
velop construction and me-
chanical designs, followed
by room layout and design.
Variance approval expires in
one year from the decision
date unless the permit is used
or a time extension approved.
“We’re very excited about
the project,” Simmons said.
“We think it will be a beau-
tiful addition to downtown.
We’re hoping to be some-
thing unique.”
Fort Clatsop
Road closed
through Aug. 31
The Fort Clatsop Rd. arch cul-
vert repair at milepost 2.44 has
necessitated the complete closure
of Fort Clatsop Rd. to all trafic
during construction now through
Aug. 31. Please use Lewis and
Clark Rd. as a detour route
For any questions and/or con-
cerns, please contact Ted Mc-
Lean at work, 503-325-8631, or
cell phone, 503-791-2907.
top brands. factory-direct Prices.
free coupon book at wine & beer haus or online,
www.seasideoutlets.com
SUBMITTED PHOTO
City map indicates area of
proposed dog park.
book warehouse • bruce’s candy kitchen
• carter’s • christoPher & banks • claire’s
• daisy may’s sandwich shoP • dress barn &
dress barn women • eddie bauer • famous
footwear outlet • gnc • helly hansen
• kitchen collection • l’eggs hans bali
Playtex exPress • nike factory store • osh
kosh b’gosh • Pendleton • Perfect look •
rack room shoes • rue 21 • seaside shiPPing
center • the wine & beer haus • tokyo
teriyaki • tOyS “r” US• Van heusen • ZumieZ
- Open -
Monday-Saturday 10-8
Sunday 10-6
12 th Ave. & hwy. 101
SeASide, Or
503.717.1603