The Hood River City Council approved an amendment to the municipal sign code clarifying that feather signs and similar signs that are supported by a pole and designed to flutter in the wind are prohibited. City Codes Enforcement Officer Marty Morgan told the Council the code does not specifically specify these types of banners as prohibited under the sign ordinance. City Manager Abigail Elder explained there is a safety issue with the fluttering flags, and there is an aesthetic concern as well. City Attorney Dan Kearns also noted recently a business that had one felt they were allowed in the sign code, when it had been assumed over the years it was not. The Council passed the amendment unanimously, and it will go into effect in 30 days.
December 10 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
North Marion 77, The Dalles 75
Columbia 73, Goldendale 61
Corbett 57, Stevenson 49
Open Door 55, Horizon Christian 41
North Clackamas Christian 52, Sherman 45
St. Paul 59, Trout Lake 30
Lyle-Wishram 58, C.S. Lewis Academy 30
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 55, North Marion 38
Madras 43, Hood River Valley 29
Corbett 58, Stevenson 27
Open Door 46, Horizon Christian 39
Trout Lake-Glenwood 65, St. Paul 49
North Clackamas Christian 66, Sherman 23
Pedestrian Dies In I-84 Accident
A Hood River man died after being struck by a commercial truck and trailer while running on the westbound Interstate 84 milepost 64 on-ramp on Monday evening. The Oregon State Police says the accident occurred just after 5:10 p.m. Monday. According to the OSP…a preliminary investigation indicated 38-year-old Michael Joseph Sampson was reportedly running eastbound on the westbound on-ramp, entered the freeway, and was struck by a westbound commercial motor vehicle and trailer operated by 62-year-old Carl Ronald Frank of Kelso. Sampson was declared dead at the scene. Frank was not injured. The freeway was closed for about three hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The OSP was assisted by the Hood River police and fire departments, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
HR Council Approves Annexation & Rezone Of Brookside Drive Property
The Hood River City Council approved annexation and rezoning of about a ten-and-a-half-acre piece of property at 3330 Brookside Drive that would allow for high density housing and come with an easement to allow the final connection of the Indian Creek Trail to take place. Reco Prianto, representing applicant CaliChi Design Group, told Councilors the goal is to buy the property from the current owners and develop dense housing to help pay for securing the trail easement. The rezone will change the property from R-1 and R-2 low and standard density residential to R-3 urban high density residential and C-2 general commercial which could add one story to any development. Councilor Ben Mitchell said between the trail and housing opportunities, the opportunity is too good for the City to pass up. Those who testified in opposition cited incompatibility with the surrounding area, traffic impacts, a wetland within the property, and a lack of detail in the plans at this point.
The Dalles Council Approves Water Plan
The Dalles City Council unanimously approved adoption of a water systems master plan. The plan is highlighted by replacement of the Wicks Water Treatment Plant, which studies conducted during the planning process found has exceeded its expected useful life. While various funding sources, including Google funds, are cited to be used to help pay for the improvements listed in the plan, City staff will be bringing the Council plans to increase water rates by 7.3% by February. City Manager Matthew Klebes says the Council will hold a special meeting next Monday where those documents will be brought forward. Public Works Director Dave Anderson said the City has not adjusted its water rates in ten years.
The Dalles URA Maximum Indebtedness Increased
The Dalles City Council approved increasing the maximum indebtedness for the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency by $6.1 million, extending the life of the agency to 2029. Without the increase allowed one time by state law, the urban renewal district would have expired in 2026. The money would be used to assist project like the mixed-use Basalt Commons, reconstruction of 1st Street, redevelopment of the Tony’s Town and Country property, and use as leverage for funding of a Federal Street plaza. City Economic Development Officer Dan Spatz emphasized there would be no impact to the taxpayer as a result of the move, with the increase coming from tax increment financing that does reduce revenues for various agencies. The Council approved the increase unanimously in the wake of the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee recommending it by an 8-1 vote, with only the representative of the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District dissenting.
December 9 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Columbia 61, Woodland 51
Girls Basketball
Columbia River 73, Columbia 30
Development Consultant Hired For Proposed Resolution Center
Wasco County Commissioners approved a contract with the Housing Development Center to provide development consultant services for the proposed Columbia Gorge Resolution Center. Mid-Columbia Center For Living has agreed to cover the cost reimbursement for services. MCCFL Executive Director Al Barton says this contract is a bridge to get them to a place before the real work starts. The Housing Development Center provided finance and construction management services for the recently completed Gloria Center in The Dalles put together by Mid-Columbia Community Action.
Wasco County Commission Delays Flood Plain Amendments
Wasco County Commissioners continued a planned hearing on amendments to the County’s Land Use Ordinance regarding a flood hazard overlay zone to May 7. County Planning Director Daniel Daugherty requested the delay after the County recently received a model ordinance and updated guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the agency requiring the changes. He notes staff needs to time to look at them. Daugherty adds planning staff will review the FEMA documents and determine if they provide additional options or clearer guidelines to meeting standards calling for No-Net-Loss to floodplain functions.
Pile Burns Planned In Scenic Area
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area fire managers are planning to conduct pile burning on National Forest System lands on the Washington side near the Upper Major Creek and Drano Lake areas and St. Cloud and Collins Slide, plus the Seven Mile area on the east Oregon side of the Gorge. The piles are comprised of woody and vegetative material from thinning and vegetation management activities over the last few years, which remove flammable natural fuels from the landscape to prevent them from carrying and intensifying wildfire. The actual day of ignition for the pile burning projects will depend on factors such as humidity, wind speed and direction, temperature and moisture levels of understory vegetation. Scenic Area officials say burns only occur on days when smoke management offices indicate suitable weather conditions for smoke dispersal are present. The target timeframe is Tuesday through February 28, 2025. Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Updates on the pile burns will be distributed on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Facebook page.