>Baker City Herald | Baker County Oregon's News Leader

Zoning change hearing continued to Dec. 3

County Commissioners heard but took no action Wednesday on a proposed zoning  change that would allow for the development of an RV park with cabins and tent sites along Homestead Road in Northeast Baker County.

Commissioners will continue Wednesday’s hearing at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, when they’re scheduled to rule on the proposed zoning change, from Exclusive Farm Use to a specially created zone, called Homestead Recreation Limited Use Combining Zone.

Western Land Management of Colorado Springs, Colo., wants the right to develop a 76-acre property into 10 cabins and sites for 25 tents and 25 RVs, plus other structures, four miles north of Oxbow along the Snake River. The Baker County Planning Commission gave the project its approval, with conditions, on Nov. 6.

Western Land Management owner Gregg Donaldson told county commissioners there’s need during the peak camping season for more camping, RV and cabins along the Snake River. His site would offer people reservations, while Idaho Power parks in the area are first-come, first-served.

Donaldson said his firm is willing to house a part-time sheriff’s deputy to help patrol the region. It’s also willing to share the increased cost of maintaining Homestead Road with the Boise-based utility, which maintains the road for the county.

The proposed development would utilize a boat launch 1.5 miles north of Oxbow that’s maintained by Idaho Power.

Western Land Management has no plans to build a new boat launch, Donaldson said.

Margaret Johnson, leader of Land Management Services for Idaho Power, told commissioners the Boise-based utility is neutral on the proposed development.

Idaho Power is in the process of renewing its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate three hydroelectric dams in Hells Canyon. The utility won’t know until after the license is renewed what its recreation plans are, Johnson said.

Donaldson quoted an Idaho Power study indicating there’s a “demonstrated” need for more camping facilities in the area. The study predicts growth in outdoor recreation in the next 15 years.

Some campers are already using the area and are in effect trespassing on his company’s land, Donaldson said.

According to the county’s Planning Department report, biking, horseback riding and hiking trails are proposed for the interior portion of the site, while the main recreation unit area is proposed for a flat area of land along the Snake River just north of the existing residential structure.

John Binford, who owns property near the proposed development, said any concerns about the project he had were laid aside when Western Land Management scaled the development down from 250 RV, tent and cabin sites to the present level of 60.

Jim Schroeder, another neighboring landowner, said he once worked for Hells Canyon Adventures. He predicted that more camping facilities would lead to visitors lengthening their stays.

“Having someone there on the property would be a wonderful thing,” he told commissioners. “We need a few more developments like this one.”

But at least two neighbors oppose the current proposal. Terry and Julie Stromer of Oxbow wrote that the proposal could impact the cost of road maintenance and law enforcement and might lead to the “urbanization” of the area.

Dixie Taylor of Oxbow wrote there’s not enough nearby infrastructure to support the development.