A lot can happen in a decade

The developers behind this project have resubmitted their original 2008 application for this development. Public comment was taken at that time, but the development never moved forward.

From a community standpoint, we know that in the past 13 years much has changed and we have learned many things about wildfire, water availability and the values and desires of the people who live in the valley. Such knowledge may be valuable in determining which conditions, if any, would be appropriate for permitting a development of this scale.

Many questions about this development remain unanswered, and MVCC has submitted public documents requests to determine, for example, whether the agricultural water rights that are planned to be converted for residential use are valid after the passage of 13 years. It is reasonable to wonder whether the determinations made by the Planning Department over a decade ago still apply now. According to County Code (OCC 16.24.020), there is a seven-year deadline for the final plat to be submitted – we are not certain, but it appears that deadline has come and gone.

A shared vision for the valley

Comments on the Draft Comprehensive Plan, which has not yet been adopted, and participation in other more recent public processes to determine the future of this valley point toward a different vision than this development appears to propose – more second homes out of reach of the local workforce, interrupted wildlife habitat, conversion of agricultural water for homes, and more. If this development were planned further north, a more rigorous planning process would be required. If it is the community’s desire to treat the valley as a single watershed, a more robust process may be called for.

Commenting suggestions

Using your own experience, values and concerns –

•    Request that the county require a new application and a new environmental review for the Copperstone project, and/or
•    Request that processing and review of the application be delayed until there is a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations in place; and/or
•    Ask for an extension of the current public comment period so people have time to gather adequate information to provide relevant and useful feedback.