BEND, OR -- Terrebonne neighbors continue to go head to head with a mountaineering group that wants to open a bed and breakfast and campground near Smith Rock State Park.
Representatives from The Mazamas Foundation presented revisions to their plan to County Commissioners Wednesday and addressed concerns raised at previous hearings, "In no way would our campground, particularly with our 4’ tents within a grove of juniper trees, be blocking those vistas." A handful of neighbors testified again in opposition, saying the development does not fit with the scenic and mostly rural area. "Mazamas are claiming that the tents would not exceed 4’ in height, yet they claim they are providing a ‘glamping’ experience for rather high prices," said one neighbor, "Glamping-style tents are not pup tents and would not only be 4’ tall."
While some neighbors argue it’ll block their view of one of the most scenic spots in the state,
others worry about noise due to how close campers would be allowed to surrounding properties. "It fails miserably to meet the additional required setback of 300’ in a Landscape Managed Zone," said one man, "Previously the setback was 160’, now it is 105’." But the Portland-based group told Commissioners, "The project meets the criteria of the setback waiver and that waiver was approved by the hearings officer; and it’s fully justified based on the intent of the code." She said they're not asking for a variance, which has stricter requirements, "The waiver that we’re requesting is not subject to those rigorous approval criteria. The applicant must simply demonstrate that the campground will be sufficiently screened and buffered; and we’ve done that."
Another area resident express concerns over irrigation impacts if the development is allowed in the rural neighborhood, "The area needed for a commercial septic system requires a large area for a drainage field and it is not allowed to be irrigated. The location the Mazamas are showing is questionable in size and is irrigated land." She added, that if the property is taken out of irrigation use, other properties connected to the private ditch would be drastically affected.
County Commissioners agreed to accept more written testimony and scheduled formal deliberations on March 14.
