Camp Sherman sees housing boom

Home building is moving at a rapid pace in the Camp Sherman area. photo by Conrad Weiler

Following trends in Bend, Redmond and Sisters, Camp Sherman is also experiencing growth in housing starts and remodels.

While attention has been focused on the expansion of Lake Creek Lodge, there has been plenty of building activity in the residential resort community.

The residential area at Metolius Meadows has had six new homes in construction plus two major remodels over the last year. Seven-day workweeks are quite common for construction crews on these projects, as they try to beat the onset of winter weather.

Construction has experienced some delays.

Camp Sherman was evacuated twice during the month-long siege of the B&B Complex Fire, but work continued right up to the point when evacuations were ordered.

The Camp Sherman area has about 300 homes and cabins already built. One hundred and eight of these are Forest Service cabins along the Metolius River.

Eighty-five lots are currently available in the Camp Sherman area according to the Jefferson County assessor's office, although some of these (as many as 50 percent) may not be built on for the foreseeable future.

Some homeowners have purchased one or more lots adjacent to their property to maintain space and privacy or as a long-term investment.

With these changes, questions have been raised by members of the Jefferson County Planning Commission, Local Area Council and local residents about potential parking and traffic problems on Road 1419.

The speed posted along the road section traveling through much of the residential area is 35 miles per hour or less. However, many times these speeds are exceeded, particularly on weekends when travelers are in a hurry.

Some local residents have raised concerns about safety for bicyclists, children and pedestrians.

Earlier this month, the Jefferson County Commissioners approved the addition of 23 new cabins to be constructed at Lake Creek Lodge.

These units will be individually owned. Owners may use them for up to six months of the year and rent them out during the other six months.

Also, a new meeting hall has been approved that will bring additional vehicles and people to the area for weddings, business meetings and other social gatherings.