Parkdale Community Planning Process Continues

Hood River County Community Development’s planning process to designate Parkdale as a rural unincorporated community has been temporarily paused for staff to learn more about the condition and operation of the Parkdale Wastewater Treatment Plant as well as Oregon Department of Environmental (DEQ) regulations under which it may operate.

The County is primarily interested in determining if there are any options to increase the capacity of the Parkdale Wastewater Treatment Plan without completing a new system upgrade. County Community Development Director Eric Walker stated, “In reviewing current and previous DEQ operating permits, John Grim, the County’s hired professional engineer found that the Parkdale Wastewater Treatment Plan is operating under higher-than-normal pollutant limits. We are investigating whether some additional capacity can be attained through relaxed permit requirements and, if so, what would be involved to make that happen.”

It's anticipated that additional research will take around three months to complete. At that time, Director Walker anticipates presenting the findings to the County Board of Commissioners for further direction.

In addition to more detailed information on the Parkdale Wastewater Treatment Plan and DEQ requirements, County Planning staff is in contact with staff from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to better understand certain Administrative Rules concerning the development of community plans. They are also seeking guidance on how best to permit less expensive housing types and development when public facilities, such as a sanitary sewer, currently have limited capacity for growth.

Ultimately, Hood River County’s Board of Commissioners will deliberate and decide on recommendations from the Hood River County Planning Commission. The County Planning Commission is the hearing body for certain administrative land use decisions, appeals, legislative requests, and long-range planning projects. The unincorporated community plan would allow the County to comply with Statewide Planning Goal 14 (Urbanization).

Notice of future meetings will be provided via email, as well as through the County’s social media outlets, the Planning Department website. Click here to sign up for County ENews list.

Once County staff have completed their investigation of the Parkdale Wastewater Treatment Plant and received support from the Board to restart the process, the Planning Commission will then hold a public hearing to consider the draft community plan and related Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance/Map changes. Direct notice will be mailed to all property owners directly affected by this project in advance of the public hearing, while additional public notice will be provided to others via email, County social media outlets, the Planning Department website, and the Columbia Gorge News. Based on all the information presented and testimony received, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners to adopt the Community Plan either in whole or with changes.

Subsequently, the Board of Commissioners will hold a separate public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation. This will be another opportunity for the public to express their thoughts. The Board will then make a final decision, which will be sent to the State of Oregon for their agreement.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Eric Walker, County community development director, by phone (541-387-6840) or email at eric.walker@hoodrivercounty.gov/