Board tables subdivision approval

A Rosedale business owner is opposing a planned high density development along Skyline Golf Course.

Bob Jungers, owner of Elochoman Millworks, which makes wooden doors, on Tuesday asked the Wahkiakum County board of commissioners to reject an application for the 11-unit Fairway View Estates development.

The issue, Jungers said, is noise from the millworks. He fears new residents in an upscale development will object to noise from his shop, or from future manufacturing operations that could locate on the property he owns on the northwest side of Boege Road.

Jungers and county Commissioners Tom Doumit, George Trott and Dan Cothren discussed the issue for 45 minutes, and the commissioners tabled the item so they could talk to Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow.

When Bigelow appeared later in the meeting to present other business, Trott asked if covenants could be drafted so that people purchasing land in the development would be warned of the noise potential and would be prohibited from opposing it.

A noise warning would give no protection, Bigelow replied.

“I don’t think there’s much we could to do to stop that from happening,” Bigelow said. “His protection is to be a pre-existing land owner. His use would be grandfathered in.”

Jungers, who is a member of the county planning commission, listed several concerns and objections to the project:

—The 1984 County Comprehensive Plan and the 2006 draft update both show the area as low density residential, not high density residential, he said.

—The development’s infrastructure requirements will be a burden on the community, which will have to tax itself or pay for them some how. Impacts include sewer and water, and also Wahkiakum PUD, where Jungers serves on the board of commissioners. New development will increase demand and force the PUD to upgrade facilities.

—The developers will target purchasers in their 50s or older, and the older age groups are more of a demand on community emergency and medical services, he said. The development would also increase traffic at the intersection of Boege Road and SR 4, which is a dangerous intersection, he said.

“Bob’s concerns are my concerns,” Trott commented. “How do we balance new development with existing uses?’

Commissioner Doumit, who also served on the planning commission before being appointed to fill a vacancy on the county board, suggested the application met comprehensive plan requirements, and the development would have benefits for the community.

The county needs new money to help with the cost of upgrading its infrastructure, Doumit said.

In his staff report for the planning commission, county Permit Coordinator Chuck Beyer said the proposed subdivision substantially meets the Land Development Subdivision Plat Review Policies of the Wahkiakum County Comprehensive plan.

The planning commission added two conditions the applicants must meet for final plat approval. These included a notice to all buyers that there may be noise issues, and that the applicants have an engineer design a storm water runoff system that won’t impact lower elevation property in the area.

Richard Erickson, executive director of the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, commented that the proposed development would help the financial well being of the golf course, which is an asset for the community. The development would bring more money into the community than less expensive homes and thus have more economic impact.

Jungers suggested a covenant could be added to preclude purchases and their successors from ever challenging the owners and operators of industrial operations on his land.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said Jungers had lots of good points, but Cothren couldn’t go along with perpetual restrictions.

“I’m not here to say to one person that they can’t do something with their land,” he said.

Trott commented that the board had had little time to study the staff report and other documents, and that they should discuss covenants with Bigelow. He suggested tabling the matter until April 10, and the board passed a motion to do so.