December 26, 2007
By SUE RYAN
News staff writer

The Port of Hood River has two plans in the works that will transform the look and feel of the Hood River waterfront.

Port commissioners discussed the latest updates in the plans at their Dec. 18 meeting.

One deals with subdividing the waterfront into lots and the second calls for major upgrades to the marina. The subdivision plan will probably carry the heavier impact of the two as once the divisions are in place, then development is expected to pick up pace.

The plan by Group Mackenzie focuses on creating developable lots, legal frontage and improved transportation access.

One issue facing the port is that parcel sizes will be smaller versus larger. The sizes, between one and two acres, are intended for flexibility. Lot lines might be adjusted in the future or multiple parcels may be consolidated.

How to get both cars and trucks including semis, to and from sites is one of the key considerations. One aspect is that a tentative industrial access street planned for midway between Eighth Street and Portway Avenue still faces a number of unknown factors. Those include its design and location and a potential need to connect the street to Second Street. What happens with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s plan for altering freeway exits will also impact the final layout.

The next step is for the port to talk with Hood River Distillers, Hood River Juice Company and the City of Hood River. Chairman Fred Duckwall asked if the port could request a zoning change at the same time.

“ODOT has asked, as part of slowing down the IAMP (exit plan) for no more zone changes during that process,” McElwee answered.

The second plan to upgrade the port’s marina was initially presented last year. McElwee said this update includes better cost estimates and will be presented at the commission’s second meeting January.

“Before then we need to circle back to our recreational users,” he said.

The specific intent of the plan is to add slips during the next two years. McElwee said with existing pilings south of C dock, the port could immediately add up to 16 slips. However, that falls short of meeting the need. There are 120 boats on the moorage waiting list and 22 more on the boathouse list.