The Dalles City Council approved slight rate increases for The Dalles Disposal to defray the cost of a state-mandated increase in tipping fees at the Wasco County Landfill. The disposal company was notified last month by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality of a 30-cent-per-ton increase effective on April 1…and another 28-cent jump three months later. As a result, residential garbage pickup bills will go up two-to-ten-cents per month on April 1, with a similar increase three months later.
In other business, the Council returned a proposed ordinance to allow recreational vehicle park development on land zoned for medium or high density residential uses back to staff to review non-residential sites like Chenowith Creek and Eagles Lodge properties. Councilors were concerned about taking up limited residential properties for an RV park, while acknowledging the need for such a facility in the region. They are currently allowed outright in General Commercial and Recreational Commercial zones, and by permit in the Commercial/Light Industrial District.