Camp Sherman committee revives

Joyce Osika, Butch Parker of Jefferson County and Tom

Landis of the LAC.

A Local Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting was held September 20 in the Camp Sherman fire hall.

Almost moribund for a number of years, the five-member committee from Camp Sherman is seeking new associations with Madras and the Jefferson County Commissioners.

Camp Sherman's portion of the comprehensive plan has called for more restrictions and larger lot sizing ­ somewhat different from the rest of Jefferson County.

"We've been a thorn in their side," said Chairperson Tom Landis. "But we'll be retired if we don't speak up."

Part of LAC's problem is geographical distances between Camp Sherman and Madras: 60 miles one-way over normal highway roads or 23 more difficult miles across the Green Ridge's backcountry route.

Appointed by the three Jefferson County commissioners, Camp Sherman's LAC presently has four members. Chairperson Landis leads the group and has been a member along with Tom Ryan since 1993. Joyce Osika and Jim McLean round out the present committee that seeks a replacement for Will Bone, who recently died.

A concern expressed by some was that county commissioners might eliminate the LAC.

Toni Foster pointed out that "we have 210 votes in Camp Sherman (in a County of 16,000 people) and may not have that much impact on county policy."

The group discussed revising portions of the Camp Sherman portion of the comprehensive plan to better handle 21st Century problems. Part of the problem is getting information from Madras about building permits.

Present at the meeting was Gerald "Butch" Parker, Jefferson County Community Development planner. Parker agreed to forward this information to the group.

Of immediate concern to the LAC were the proliferation of "Park Models" being sited as RV's, not having foundation, water or power.

"This is illegal in a rural area to set them up as an RV park ­ particularly considering the proximity to the wild and scenic Metolius River," said Foster.

Another concern was the building of a temporary 12-foot bridge over Lake Creek after the county commissioners denied a 22-foot bridge at the site. Subsequently the 12-foot bridge was approved by Jefferson County.

The Friends of the Metolius is seeking reversal of this ruling.

Longer range worries concern the spread of destination resorts in some of the privately owned areas.

"Growth ... is increasing the impact on our local area," said Foster.

"We have been fairly inactive," said Landis. "We'll have to get organized again, but I don't see our role as being cops. I'd like to take a look at the bigger picture, planning for Camp Sherman's future."

The present Camp Sherman LAC has member seats representing Blue Lake, the forest Cabin Owners (there are 108 Forest Service cabins in and around the Metolius River), Metolius Meadows (a residential community of 147 lots ­ about 70 percent built-out), a business representative and an at-large member.

A sixth, non-voting member, would come from the planning commission member representing Camp Sherman, but this position has remained vacant for several years.

Anyone wishing to serve on the LAC should contact Tom Landis at 595-2088.