Proposed ‘Barrett Vista’ subdivision would add 24 houses in Odell

Cody Johnecheck, a representative for Consolidated Land & Cattle LLC, has sent plans to Hood River County Planning Department, seeking a conditional use permit to build a new set of lots on a 5.8-acre parcel.

The County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on Barrett Vista at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 in the County Business Administration Building, 601 State St.

The property is located about 100 feet west of the north intersection of Tamarack Road and Jones Loop in the Whitesell Estates subdivision.

“Barrett Vista” was already “preliminarily approved” decades ago, according to a Nov. 15 staff report by the county. In October 1978, the project was slated as a fourth phase in the Whitesell buildout.

Via the plan, single-family homes would sprout up on a piece of land that runs vertically along Tamarack Road. Access, however, would come from Cedar Drive and Jones Loop. The new development would include sidewalks and a street called Ponderosa Road.

Consolidated Land & Cattle was the same company that introduced Barrel Springs, a proposed housing subdivision at Belmont Avenue in Hood River (Johnecheck was also the applicant in that case). It was put on hold earlier this year due to complications over city sewer access — city engineers objected to extending services outside of city limits.

Eric Walker, county principal planner, explained that the newly proposed subdivision is not associated with Barrel Springs.

Planning Commission approved Barrel Springs’ permit in early 2016, on condition that the developer work out sewer access with city officials.

In February, Steve Wheeler, city manager, said the city will continue to work with developers and attorneys for Barrel Springs, considering methods of annexing the property or negotiating an alternative approach.

Cindy Walbridge, city planning director, indicated Friday the project hasn’t moved forward since then. “We don’t have any updates at this point,” she said in an email.

As for Barrett Vista, oral or written comments are allowed up to the date of the hearing, and at the hearing itself.

Those who would like to have their comments included in a staff report and made available to commissioners must turn them in by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16.

For more information, contact Walker at 541-387-6840 or eric.walker@co.hood-river.or.us.