1/20/10 Bend
By Doug Johnson
In a room full of people who gathered to tell the Board of Deschutes County Commissioners how they're opposed to more destination resorts coming to Deschutes County, one voice had an opposite opinion.
"I personally think that they're a bonus for a community, not a determent, and not a burden," says Pan Mitchell.
Mitchell owns land in Sisters, which under the old map was zoned for a destination resort. Her complaint now is the new map takes away her rights to use her land how she wants. The county is trying to adopt a re-zoning map which shows where resorts can and can't go. First it needs to hear from the public.
"During this open testimony period, it won't be until march first until the board decides whether or not they want to continue the hearing again, or whether they want to close it and begin their own deliberations," says Peter Gutowsky, Principal Planner for Deschutes County.
Most who testified Wednesday night, stated they didn't want more space allowed for destination resorts, including several members of the Sierra Club.
"We should do what we can to develop a vision of a county with a lot of open space, and not pave it over," says Tumalo resident Steve Munson.
But Mitchell says, although more were at Wednesday's meeting, that group is a minority.
"I think that there's a silent majority out there that feels very strongly about private property rights, and they're not the ones that typically show up to these meetings," says Mitchell.
Those who did attend, told commissioners, with real-estate where it's at, now is not the time for more resorts. Public testimony on the map will continue until March first.
Comments
Land use
Mitchell needs to keep her opinions to herself since she represents ONE, and ONE is not a majority. I believe the land should be protected, and where are the stats on the existing Destonation resorts showing they are full to the hilt, and more golf courses and "city" destruction needs to be? Seems stupid to destroy the land for something that just may add to the ghost towns we are becoming in CO. Why build more storehouses when you have noting to store? Like all the homes here in Redmond that were built and now can't be filled? OH, they can be rented out, but rentals destroy a town faster than anything....they bring crime, and a people who really don't care to take care of the neighborhood. Oh, you say I am profiling? Sorry Charlie, but when profiling has the numbers behind it, it becomes a "just being ready for trouble" situation. I vote no on destroying what is beautiful here in CO, byt tearing down everything to adding a bunch of cement! Go Sierra Club!
land use
It's interesting how the people who complain most about resorts and development in rural areas are people who have moved here from somewhere else. Leave private property alone.