By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
April 9, 2008

The planning commission for the City of Hood River decided Monday night it wants more information before giving full approval to a proposal to build 42 condominiums at the waterfront.

“They gave tentative approval and directed staff to compile a list of findings of fact and conditions of approval to be reviewed at a subsequent meeting,” said Senior Planner Kevin Liburdy.

The city planning commission did not make any changes to the Naito proposal but directed staff to more thoroughly analyze traffic impacts and off-site transportation infrastructure and improvements.

“The traffic issues were the significant issues,” Liburdy said.

Their decision followed the continuance of a hearing from March 17 on the proposal. Portland businessman Bob Naito owns the former Nichols Boat Works property, which is the site where he has proposed building the 42-condominium complex.

The parcel of land is just over five-and-a-half acres and part of it is submerged as part of the Nichols Boat Basin. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retains flowage easement on the property for flood control purposes.

Some of the discussion Monday night centered on potential road development in the area. The south side of the Nichols property abuts Frontage Road, which currently runs from the backside of the 76 Station to the Hood River.

The Port of Hood River and the Oregon Department of Transportation are beginning a Frontage Road Feasibility Study. This will look at extending the road over the river and connecting one side of the waterfront to the other without drivers having to access the freeway. The proposal has the road going from the Highway 35/Marina Way intersection.

A public open house on the project is scheduled for Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Port of Hood River’s board room. While that study only concerns whether or not putting in such a road would be doable or desirable, it may also rule out a road that would be built years into the future — a fact Naito pointed out to the planning commission.

“You can’t start attaching conditions now for Frontage Road that may be 10 years down the road,” he said.

The Naito project may be the first step in the development of the western waterfront where his is one of the few privately held pieces. Already development of a Waterfront Community Park is underway next to the former Luhr-Jensen building.

Additional changes by the port commission could result in more development than has occurred in many years.

The port has worked with the community on developing its waterfront development strategy, which includes a subdivision plan to create lots on the south side of Portway.

The port will hold a second public open house next week on its waterfront development plans, on April 16 from 5-7 p.m. in its board room.