For weeks now south Deschutes County residents have been mobilizing against a bill by Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, which would ease the development of 925 homes south of Sunriver.
Gene Whisnant
Whisnant says he has already decided to remove the most controversial part of the bill, which would have set up a sanitary authority to help with septic issues. That was a touchy topic for residents who fear the costs and development they say sewers could bring. Despite Whisnant’s concession, however, the opponents keep at it — and it turns out they’ve been noticed.
On Tuesday, Rep Brian Clem, D-Salem, chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, said that committee staff have received more calls on HB 3347 than on any other before their committee — which is saying a lot, given recent hearings having to do with hot-button bills about wolves. Most of the calls are in opposition, according to Clem.
Residents are calling Clem’s committee because it’s where HB 3347 sits now, awaiting a hearing. Clem and committee staff are trying to find a good time for an evening hearing so more Deschutes County residents could come out.
The bill would provide $3 million over an estimated 10 to 20 years to help with septic issues. It remains controversial not only because its early incarnation touched a nerve, but because it continues to exempt the development from land use laws that require the developer pay to offset impacts, such as to the area’s transportation system.
I do not support this poorly planned bill. I’m an owner in Sunriver and the last thing we need is 1000 more homes in this area. With an over supply and under demand of homes in the area this developer is not protecting our current property values with this land grab.
YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT ON THE RESISTANCE TO HB3347. THE SANITARY AUTHORITY IS A TAXABLE DISTRICT. THE PEOPLE IN IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE ON IT. THE BILL EXEMPTS ANY VOTE OR REFRENDUM FOR 3 YEARS!!! THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE IN IT WERE NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS!
THE SOUTH COUNTY IS SAID TO BE OVER DEVELOPED NOW. SHOULD WE BE ALLOWING MORE “URBAN” LIKE SUDIVISIONS LIKE “PINE FORREST” BEFORE THE D.E.Q. STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, RESPECTIVELY, FINISH WORKING ON “RECOMENDATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER PROTECTION PROGRAM” AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN’S “SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY PLAN” SECTION??
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT COST. IT IS ABOUT MAKING SENSE. THESE PLANS WILL BE DEVELOPED OVER THE NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT AND NOT MAKE HASTY DECISIONS.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR BETTER FOR THERE TO HAVE BEEN A LOCAL PROCESS ON HB3347. THE INTERESTED PARTYS AND GENE WHISNANT BLEW IT!! THEY HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW BUT THEY DECIDED NOT TO UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. THEY EVEN TRIED TO DO AN END RUN AROUND THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION. (THE LATTER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE).
THE DEVELOPERS (LOWE LAND DEVELOPMENT OUT OF LOS ANGELES) OF PINE FORREST COULD HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY WERE CREATING FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTH COUNTY OR THEY WOULD HAVE INSISTED ON A “LOCAL” PROCESS. THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT. I AM SURPRISED THE LOCAL REPRESENTITIVES FOR THEM DID SUCH A NON PROFFESSIONAL JOB ON THIS. THEY NOW HAVE A MUCH MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM–CREDIBILITY. THIS WAS ALL ABOUT THEIR TIME LINE NOT THE PEOPLES.THEY BOTCHED THIS ONE REALLY BAD.
WHERE HAVE LOWE’S LOCAL REPRESENTITIVES BEEN FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS?? PEOPLE OF SOUTH COUNTY WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN ALL CONCEPTS DECIDING OUR FATE. THAT MESSAGE SHOULD BE CLEAR BY NOW,ESPECIALLY TO OUR LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHISNANT.
ED CRISS / DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION (SOUTH COUNTY SEAT) / CAG MEMBER