New expansion proposal for Lake Creek Lodge

Gordon Jones explains his plans for the historic Lake Creek Lodge. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Lake Creek Lodge would grow substantially under a proposal by owner Gordon Jones.

A large group of Camp Sherman residents turned out to hear the proposal at a three-hour Local Area Council (LAC) meeting at the Community Hall on Friday, June 6.

Jones introduced his project proposal for historic Lake Creek Lodge that increases the number of cabins from 17 to 41, plus adding a meeting hall and new sewer system on the 41.9-acre site. Lake Creek Lodge was built in 1935.

The proposal was detailed in a 20-page report distributed at the meeting, including five 11-by-17-inch drawings of the project.

The 41 cabins would be individually owned and lived in by their owners for up to six months of the year. The other six months the cabins would be up for rental -- benefiting the owner and lodge ownership in a 40:60 split of rental profits. The rental days would be split fairly evenly over four quarters of the year with the greatest (60 days) rental being in the summer quarter between June 15 and September 15.

The proposed 24 new cabins would be 1,350 square feet in size and have three bedrooms.

Conceptually, the project aims for one acre of developed land for one acre of undeveloped land as required in the land use plan.

At the meeting, Butch Parker, Jefferson County Community Development Department, said, "While there are some gray areas in the project proposal, staff has given their approval to the plan."

Questions remain about the total number of structures allowed and whether they are tourist rental cabins or condominiums.

Landscape architect for the plan Tom Atkins described the overall plan to the audience and lawyer Robert Lovlien discussed zoning issues.

Concerns of local residents centered on increased traffic, noise and lights. Questions arose about having three entrance/exit points off Road 1419 into Lake Creek Lodge. Specifically, the northern-most entrance (across from Pine Lodge Road) drew comment concerning parking at the proposed meeting hall site along with potential crowd noise and lights.

Neighbors to the east have raised concerns about odors, noise and lights from the proposed sewer plant and cabins.

Other residents eloquently spoke to the changing of Camp Sherman's quiet ambiance.

Also brought into question was concern about having only 60 parking spaces for the project and whether overflow parking would find its way onto Road 1419. This is particularly critical at peak season with 41-three-bedroom cabins and potential meetings at the meeting hall.

The transient room tax would be paid by all people staying at the cabins except the actual owners, according to Jones.

Gordon Jones, of Portland, and his brother Jeff Jones, of Sisters, are proposing the project.

"We hope to preserve the architectural character of the 1930s-era cabin resort with this project," said Gordon. "I plan to live here and want to become a member of the Camp Sherman community."

Phase I, which Jones hopes will start this fall, calls for construction of two new cabins after removal of two existing older mobile homes now on-site. Phase II would see construction of a sewer plant costing an estimated $300,000. Later phases would build out the entire project. The existing eating facility would remain although not tied to cabin rental with included meals as it is now.

The project now moves on to the Jefferson County Planning Commission at their next meeting on Thursday, June 12, 7 p.m. in Madras.

In other LAC actions, Irwin Holzman was given unanimous approval for his irrigation diversion project near his homesite.

Comment on the proposed Lake Creek Lodge project at: [email protected]