Lake Creek Lodge project approved

Some of the existing cabins at Lake Creek Lodge. photo by Conrad Weiler

Plans to expand Camp Sherman's Lake Creek Lodge cleared a major hurdle on Thursday, October 16, as Jefferson County Commissioners Mary Zemke, Bill Bellamy and Chairperson Walt Ponsford voted unanimous approval of the expansion plan and denial of an appeal brought by Friends of the Metolius (FOM).

"We are very pleased with the decision," said Lake Creek Lodge owner Gordon Jones.

He and his brother Jeff Jones hope to start Phase I of the $10-million renovation and expansion this December.

Asked about the possibility of FOM filing another appeal with Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), Jones said, "We hope that doesn't happen."

"There is a 21-day period after the Commissioners have signed and sent out their decision for an appeal to be filed," said Tonya Ramey, of the county community development agency.

FOM won't decide on an appeal until the county releases its findings of fact and its supporting evidence, according to FOM President Toni Foster.

"Friends' focus is to assure that Jefferson County applies all of the applicable ordinances and their subsequent procedural requirements to the development," Foster said. "Friends participated in the land use process by noting the county's deficiencies in its ordinance application."

According to Foster, the Camp Sherman-based organization "fully expects that there will be construction of more cabins and facilities at Lake Creek Lodge and supports such action to the degree that all applicable Jefferson County ordinances allow."

Presently on the 41.9-acre property there are 17 older cabins and the lodge. The Jones brothers' plans call for adding 23 new cabins, a meeting hall, refurbishing the older cabins and adding a sewage/septic system.

The latter's cost is estimated at $300,000 and would upgrade the entire aging septic systems presently in use on the Lake Creek property.

Expansion plans will be carried out in three phases and there is a five-year requirement for completion imposed by the commissioners.

The new cabins will have a 1,350 square foot living area, three bedrooms, three baths, and a 550-foot deck area. Estimated street price is expected to be $275,000 to $300,000.

"I have had several people who stayed at the lodge this summer saying they would like to buy one of the cabins," said Jones.

The plan calls for the owners to adjust the public bike path that currently crosses the entry road to the lodge and move it onto the property away from Road 19, making it safer for bicyclists.

Working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the new owners will install animal-friendly fencing replacing potentially harmful wire fencing.

During deliberations for their decision, the commissioners stated that this was a difficult decision and they understood the concerns of Friends of the Metolius. However, they felt that the improvements offered positive features for the Camp Sherman community while still maintaining the community's character.

Lake Creek Lodge was established in 1935.