Another hiccup for Amazon

HOOD RIVER — After commissioners neglected to extend a sales agreement on Tuesday, July 14, Amazon had until Monday to purchase 11 acres from the Port of Hood River, with the fate of its proposed 49,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center outside of Odell still uncertain.

Selling the old Lower Hanel Mill land would net the port $3.41 million, the highest rate for an industrial parcel of that size and location in the Mid-Columbia region to date, but getting Hood River County’s stamp of approval has proved difficult for Amazon.

Since warehousing is an allowable use under county zoning code, planning staff tentatively signed off on the proposal in February, which land use advocacy group Thrive then appealed. At issue was the scope of a traffic study that found minimal impact on four nearby intersections, despite the site generating at least 548 daily trips.

Oregon’s Department of Transportation and county public works endorsed the traffic study, but planning commissioners sustained Thrive’s appeal on May 27, followed by another challenge from Amazon. Hood River County’s Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hear the matter on Aug. 17.

Last month, Amazon requested the port commission hold a special meeting to extend the sales agreement, which expires before the county’s August session. A sales extension would end Sept. 3, with the port receiving a nonrefundable fee of $15,000. Amanda Rose, director of real estate and asset management, recommended the extension in her report to commissioners, calling it a “good faith” gesture recognizing Amazon’s efforts to date. While port commissioners saw merit in that point, they ultimately voted 2-3 against an extension.

“They’re either committed to this, or they’re not,” Commissioner Tor Bieker said during Tuesday’s meeting. “I actually think the time we lose is more valuable than another $10,000 or $15,000.”

Commissioner Kathryn Thomas concurred, joining Bieker and Commissioner Ben Sheppard in opposition. Commission President Heather Gehring and Commissioner Kristi Chapman favored the extension.

As of press deadline on Monday, July 20, Amazon had not provided the port with an “approval notice” of its intent to purchase. This would require that Amazon buy the property regardless of any subsequent land use decision by the county commission or, should Amazon appeal an adverse county ruling, by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals. It would have 30 days to fulfill that obligation. Without the notice, the port could place the property back on the market as early as Tuesday, July 21. Check columbiagorgenew.com for Amazon’s decision.