Camp Sherman fights change

In a passionate community outpouring, more than 100 Camp Sherman residents expressed their dislike for proposed changes in the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

During hearings held Saturday, July 22, before the Jefferson County Planning Commissioners at Camp Sherman's Community Hall, more than 30 local citizens voiced their specific objections to the plan.

"We've never been so popular," quipped Don Martin, chairman of the Planning Commission. "It's great to see public involvement."

That public involvement was summed up by local resident Joyce Osika.

"This beautiful area should be preserved," she said. "It's our stewardship duty to protect this area and not fit into a standardized Jefferson County plan. Camp Sherman should be a National Monument."

Similar sentiments were voiced throughout the three-hour meeting.

Part of the residents' unease is traced to the removal from the proposed Comprehensive Plan of the 52-page document (drafted in 1981 and amended twice in the 1990s) describing Camp Sherman as a unique area in Jefferson County.

"We have tried to update and include much of what was in that document in the new comp plan proposed update," said Chris Gannon, Jefferson County Community Development Department Chief in an earlier interview.

Planning commissioners explained the rationale behind including Camp Sherman under the broad guidelines of the rest of the county.

"Where we can, it makes economic sense to make standardized regulations in the county," Commissioner Hyder told the group.

"The new plans are designed to update Jefferson County's existing Comp Plan and Zoning Ordinances and bring them up to state standards," Jackie Haggerty, Jefferson County Attorney explained.

Another part of the local community's worry comes from the possible siting of one or more destination resorts near Camp Sherman. Several of the speakers spoke of the increased traffic, damage to the roads, and changes to the rural Camp Sherman lifestyle that would bring.

"My pioneer family, now going into its fifth-generation here in the Metolius Basin enjoying quiet, stars, etc. My grandfather helped build the Community Hall," said Joan Corbett Dine. "We have to preserve this special place."

Several people also posed the question as to whether the Camp Sherman area is a resort or residential area. The existence of 12 local Forest Service campgrounds, RV parks and other tourist visitors versus 300 cabins, homes and ranches, makes this a difficult question to answer.

"Over 80 percent of the land in this area is National Forest," stated Gregory McClarren, head of the 200-member Friends of the Metolius (FOM). "We suggest you suspend the process and obtain better science and resource information before making changes in the Comp Plan that affect the Camp Sherman area. One size does not fit all."

Commissioner Roy Hyder then raised the possibility of exempting Camp Sherman from changes in the Comp Plan and Zoning Ordinances.

"We would seriously look at such a proposal," replied McClarren.

Several speakers mentioned protecting the wild and scenic Metolius River from population encroachment.

"I'm concerned about water quality and the riparian setbacks," said Kent Gill. "We are approaching success in a fish recovery program of steelhead and Chinook salmon which is threatened by over-development. The Metolius Basin is a special area."

The hearing was divided into a morning session on the comprehensive plan and a three-hour afternoon session devoted to questions about proposed zoning ordinance changes by Jefferson County.

The proposed zoning changes raise at least as much concern among residents as the proposed comprehensive plan changes.

Lois Gill provided a graphic comparison of proposed signage changes in the plans and unfurled examples of what the signs would look like. There was also concern about increased lighting for the new signs.

The meeting exposed the simmering tensions between Camp Sherman residents and the county government in Madras, tensions that surfaced during a battle over a proposed expansion of Lake Creek Lodge.

"This reminds me of the 1700s when the colonists protested the governing by England," said Bruce Livingston. "It's like Camp Sherman has a foreign government in Madras."

Both meetings with the Planning Commissioners were to have a 5 p.m. deadline for citizen written or oral input. Because of the many questions raised at the meetings, Commissioner Hyder proposed a motion to keep open the testimony period for five additional days. It passed unanimously and interested persons may comment until Thursday, July 27. Comments may be faxed to 541-475-4270.