Im sure there is opposition, but those guys didn't sound like much to worry about. the opposition i've heard on this forum is something i'd take more seriously.
quenyaistar
Since 21 Oct 2011
416 Posts
Cougar, WA
Obsessed
Fri Mar 02, 12 11:27 am
Hey, I got a reply to my letter Hopefully Laurie's hands are full forwarding letters supporting the cable park. _________________ 1 OF 1
Loneski
Since 18 Dec 2010
103 Posts
Washington
Stoked
Sat Mar 03, 12 5:31 pmCable park!!
You have made it so easy to help! On a smart phone just touch the email address and it automatically loads all the info into an email. All you need to do is fill in the blanks. Thanks to all who spend so much time helping bring us a great project!
consumer
Since 28 Nov 2010
406 Posts
banned
Obsessed
Mon Mar 05, 12 7:16 pm
so does it mean more if i write my own letter or is just sending in the draft equally as effective?
An email is acceptable vs sending a hard copy?
thanks.
Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1831 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
so does it mean more if i write my own letter or is just sending in the draft equally as effective?
An email is acceptable vs sending a hard copy?
thanks.
Either or both, as long as you get an email submitted.
Writing your own draft is much more effective as it catches the attention of the committee and conveys a more personal impact.
Also, if you are from Hood River or the surrounding area, it creates double the impact as many observers of this situation are weighing in locally submitted letters as more important.
Forrest and I attended today's Waterfront Rec Advisory Committee meeting and has some informal discussions with other committee attendees and some opposition representatives. It may be that we all can find a way to work together on this waterfront improvment opportunity and as a way to expand recreational access and quality of the waterfront, but we have to all work together and make sure to let the Port and City know that the community cares about and wants this to happen.
From the almost 50 letters so far submitted to the Port of Hood River the ratio for those in support versus against the park is currently about a 3 to 1 ratio.
This area is already in use. It is not a great looking area but a hotel and a cable park will only make it look worse. Sheltered from wind it makes a great place for people to learn how to kayak, SUP, ect. The Hook is already crowded and can't support many more people. Toll Bridge, Downtown, and the Freeway summer traffic are always congested.
Inept_Fun
Since 14 Apr 2005
1417 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
Wed Mar 07, 12 4:50 pm
bensonjimmy wrote:
This area is already in use. It is not a great looking area but a hotel and a cable park will only make it look worse. Sheltered from wind it makes a great place for people to learn how to kayak, SUP, ect. The Hook is already crowded and can't support many more people. Toll Bridge, Downtown, and the Freeway summer traffic are always congested.
So what your saying is a vacant dirt lot looks better than a nicely developed area and a recreational area on the water?
The cable park will only take up approximately half of the boat basin leaving plenty of room to learn to Kayak, Sup, or whatever you want to do down there. Im at the beach almost every day and have never seen more than 10 people out trying to sup in that area and they usually stay in the area that wont be affected by the cable anyways. _________________ I heart dangling
BeatrixKiddo
Since 21 Feb 2012
18 Posts
Washington Side
Wed Mar 07, 12 5:12 pm
bensonjimmy wrote:
Toll Bridge, Downtown, and the Freeway summer traffic are always congested.
I always laugh when people think traffic in Da Hood is bad. On it's worst day ever it's nothing compared to what Portland and Seattle kiters deal with daily.
I predict the hotel will actually HELP with congestion by limiting the amount of people endlessly driving up and down Oak Street and then over the Bridge to White Salmon looking for a hotel with summer vacancy.
Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1831 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
Toll Bridge, Downtown, and the Freeway summer traffic are always congested.
I always laugh when people think traffic in Da Hood is bad. On it's worst day ever it's nothing compared to what Portland and Seattle kiters deal with daily.
I predict the hotel will actually HELP with congestion by limiting the amount of people endlessly driving up and down Oak Street and then over the Bridge to White Salmon looking for a hotel with summer vacancy.
Absolutely, plus it will help most of the windsurf and kite tourists seeking a hotel that their family can stay at that is within walking distance between the Event Site and Downtown Hood River. Plus, when there's no wind, they can SUP, Ride the Cable, cross the pedestrian bridge over to the Marina beach or just sit out on the deck of the new restaurant.
It's a win-win for everyone _________________ Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-OR/2nd-Wind-Sports/35891485558?ref=mf www.Purestokesports.com
All else held equal, could it be argued that any perceived increase in tourism (like that is a bad thing for HRs economy) will just offset the gradual decline of wind surfing in HR for zero net gain?
It may not be a PC thing to say, but, isn't there quite a bit of truth to it?
genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
Thu Mar 08, 12 4:31 pm
SalmonSlayer wrote:
All else held equal, could it be argued that any perceived increase in tourism (like that is a bad thing for HRs economy) will just offset the gradual decline of wind surfing in HR for zero net gain?
It may not be a PC thing to say, but, isn't there quite a bit of truth to it?
Blazeheliski
Since 30 Mar 2011
659 Posts
Mosier
Addicted
Mon Mar 12, 12 11:24 am
Done
Heatherhoodriver
Since 12 Mar 2012
5 Posts
Kook
Tue Mar 13, 12 8:03 am
I know the cable park is your main concern, but I wanted to bring up another issue at Nichol's Boat Basin--the quality of the waterfront path.
Right now, the Naito's plan calls for the public access way to run on the freeway side of their commercial building rather than along the water which really diminishes the whole "waterfront experience".
It certainly wouldn't be allowed if they were building the same project in PDX.
Here a little video explaining why they should do something better by Hood River:
The developer and architect are smart, creative guys. They will come up with a waterfront path if we ask them. Along with your "go cablepark!" comments to the planning commission, I hope you add "go waterfront path!"
If you think the cable park will be an asset to HR, it will be even more of an asset as part of a vibrant, lively waterfront with good connections and public access to the water.
I know the cable park is your main concern, but I wanted to bring up another issue at Nichol's Boat Basin--the quality of the waterfront path.
Right now, the Naito's plan calls for the public access way to run on the freeway side of their commercial building rather than along the water which really diminishes the whole "waterfront experience".
It certainly wouldn't be allowed if they were building the same project in PDX.
The developer and architect are smart, creative guys. They will come up with a waterfront path if we ask them. Along with your "go cablepark!" comments to the planning commission, I hope you add "go waterfront path!"
If you think the cable park will be an asset to HR, it will be even more of an asset as part of a vibrant, lively waterfront with good connections and public access to the water.
I didn't quite understand the full effect of your video (sound?), but regarding your above comments, this is important to the whole community as well, that path, the waterfront, the recreational/environmental improvments all would be improvments that everyone can use and appreciate.
This is also the reason that some of us have diligently been attending and participating in the community feedback meetings with the Naitos and Port of Hood River, as well as creating open dialogue about the current interests from the general public about what suggestions or changes that might be adapted into the current plans.
The earlier and sooner that the community opens and maintains dialogue with the developers, the more successful this development works for all interested parties.
The later and more opposing the community dialogue, the less chance we have of seeing these improvments occur and the increased likelyhood that the property then gets resold over to an actual manufacture or development business that has no environmental or recreational interest in their development agendas for the Port Property.
We all need to work together on this to make this the opportunity we might not ever find again, in having a developer with a recreational and public feedback interest in their development on Port of Hood River Property.
As for the Naito's, as far as we have heard at each meeting, they are fully in favor of helping to make the waterfront pathway a reality and it has not appeared to have been much of an issue at all, except for figuring out how to the Port of Hood River will manage the zoning of Lot1 which is most possibly the paths biggest hiccup in regards to recreational/public zoning (Lot1 is zoned as Light Industrial, and therefor is not adaptable for recreational/public use unless the Port works something out with the City Planning Commission). _________________ Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-OR/2nd-Wind-Sports/35891485558?ref=mf www.Purestokesports.com
Heatherhoodriver
Since 12 Mar 2012
5 Posts
Kook
Tue Mar 13, 12 7:51 pm
2nd Wind the sound didn't work on my video for you? Maybe I did something wrong when I pasted the link in this forum? Sorry--maybe try it from youtube's website instead.
I agree with you 100% that this is the time for the public to get involved and talk with each other about what we want at the waterfront. Its an exciting time as so much will take shape in the next few months.
I mostly like the Naito's proposal, my complaint is about the location of the pedestrian access route across their property--for the best possible waterfront, the paths need to go along the water, not behind buildings with parking lot and freeway views instead of river ones. As part of their zone change from Industrial to Commercial, the property is required to have a public accessway--my disagreement is about the route it will take. The developer mostly has worked in PDX where for over 25 years the city has required paths directly on the water along the Willamette. He's been able to do it there--I have every confidence he can do it here if we insist upon it.
Yes, Lot 1 is the biggie but there are definitely moves in the right direction. First, there was recently a plat adjustment done on the Port property and part of that was a condition that they must include a top-of-bank path along the west side of the basin--both the city and port seem fully committed to completing the section between the Naito's and event site. Second, the city really, really wants a beautiful, dynamic waterfront with lots of fun things for people to do. I have heard from numerous officials there that they are willing to work on zoning if the public needs something different. My favorite idea right now is for the west side of the basin (from 1st street to the water) to get rezoned RC which is a recreation and commercial zone. I'd like that west side to be really lively with a mix of little restaurants (maybe food carts), recreation things (SUP rentals and kayaks) and maybe some bigger pedestrian plazas for public artwork, good places to sit and watch the cable park etc. And then leave the rest of Lot 1 to develop as Light Industrial
If you go to the meeting on the 19th-make sure to introduce yourself--I'd love to meet you. Sounds like we are thinking about lots of the same things.
Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1831 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
I agree with you 100% that this is the time for the public to get involved and talk with each other about what we want at the waterfront. Its an exciting time as so much will take shape in the next few months.
I mostly like the Naito's proposal, my complaint is about the location of the pedestrian access route across their property--for the best possible waterfront, the paths need to go along the water, not behind buildings with parking lot and freeway views instead of river ones. As part of their zone change from Industrial to Commercial, the property is required to have a public accessway--my disagreement is about the route it will take. The developer mostly has worked in PDX where for over 25 years the city has required paths directly on the water along the Willamette. He's been able to do it there--I have every confidence he can do it here if we insist upon it.
Sorry, should have included my name, Pepi Gerald.
I am glad to hear that you are on board with the positive recreational changes that we can all benefit from.
There is a substantial glitch in your proposal in that the pathway location that you are asking for is below the 100yr waterline designated by the Corp of Engineers, and this not a requirement that they take lightly.
This is the direct reason for why all of the structures along the waterfront will be on elevated platforms as per the specific restrictions of the Corp and the environmental organizations involved.
Much of what you are proposing has already been a part of discussions for the past year at meetings with the Port, Corp of Engineers, City, and at all other public meetings and hearings. I would hope that you understand this in that much of the current plans and designwork are already permitted and in place, henceforth legally have very little opportunity to meet the plans that you have set forth at this late of a date.
There is definitely an open desire from the Naito's to do whatever they can to work within the interest of the public users, but they, the Port, the Corp of Engineers and the City do need to stick to some sort of time frame for making this happen in the right way.
As I mentioned before, it is ever so helpful for people to actually attend these public meetings to both stay informed and to inform all the participating parties with their feedback.
This last comment goes out to everyone, kiters, wakeboarders,dogwalkers, SUPers, windsurfers, etc....
arthurb
Since 06 Feb 2009
19 Posts
Hood River, Oregon
Wed Mar 14, 12 1:06 pm
Here's a follow up on the procedure for reviewing the Naito LLC application at the Nichols Basin. The first step, the City of Hood River Planning Commission public hearing/site plan review, is scheduled for Monday March 19, 5:30PM at City Hall. State and city law is very specific about how such reviews are conducted and what issues can be considered. Anyone can offer testimony, but understanding how the Planning Commission is required to apply the law to reach their decision will help you offer testimony which is relevant.
The Planning Commission will review the site plan for the hotel, commercial building, and parking lot. It will also consider the upland impacts of the proposed cable park, such as traffic, parking and pathways.
Our Planning Director has posted her "Staff Report" online. You can think of this as the starting point for the Planning Commission analysis. It lists all the relevant laws and review criteria they are required to consider. For each of these laws or criteria, you will see proposed language for a "finding." The finding is a statement of how the application does or does not meet the criteria.
The report concludes with proposed language for "Decision and Conditions." This section states what is to be allowed along with a list of conditions which the applicant must meet.
The "Findings" and the "Decision and Conditions" are the critical text which the Planning Commission will discuss on Monday. The Staff Report is just a starting point. Your comments which support or challenge the proposed findings, decision and conditions will be most useful to the Planning Commission.
I know this seems (and is) very technical, but if you're speaking the same language as the Planning Commission they are most likely to understand your comments.
You can testify verbally on March 19th or in writing before that date. Written comments should be sent to the City Recorder (Jennifer Gray, jennifer@ci.hood-river.or.us) with a request to share them with the Planning Director and the Planning Commission.
There are several other steps to this application where other agencies will consider other aspects of this project, but this summary should help you understand the hearing on Monday.
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Hopefully Laurie's hands are full forwarding letters supporting the cable park.
