ODELL — In late February, Hood River County’s Planning Department tentatively approved Amazon’s proposal to build a 49,000 square-foot warehouse and sorting center outside Odell. Land use advocacy group Thrive Hood River has since appealed the decision.
Located off Highway 35 just south of Neal Creek Mill Road, and on industrial, or M-1, land owned by the Port of Hood River, the facility would see 548 passenger vehicles, vans and line-haul semi-trucks enter or exit daily. Public comment largely focused on traffic-related safety concerns and congestion, as previously reported by Columbia Gorge News.
Hood River County allows wholesale distributing or outlet facilities outright in M-1 areas, and both public works alongside Oregon’s Department of Transportation signed off on a traffic analysis that found “a nominal impact” on four nearby intersections. Thrive argued, however, that the materials submitted are incomplete.
“The application did not contain enough information to establish that the use authorized in this M1 zone would be limited to rural uses, and the decision does not make the required Goal 14 findings,” wrote Chris Robuck, co-president of Thrive, in the March 10 appeal letter.
She’s referring to one of Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals & Guidelines that addresses responsible growth, and includes provisions specific to development allowed outside urban boundaries and in recognized urban unincorporated communities, which Odell is not yet considered.
After Thrive subsequently met with county officials, however, both parties agreed that the goal criteria may not apply in this scenario. But since the hearing is “de novo,” meaning that new evidence and arguments can be presented, Thrive is continuing its appeal in the hope that outstanding public concerns will be addressed.
Hood River County’s Planning Commission will hear the appeal on April 22 at 5:30 p.m. If you’d like more information about the appeal, contact Principal Planner Keith Cleveland at keith.cleveland@hoodrivercounty.gov.
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