Inform Hood River

09/08/2026

Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority: Special Meeting Sept 8 @ 2pm.

Today’s packet may have all the info we need (though I’ll still try to watch!).

The most interesting piece for the public today is move forward towards bids for the Trestle Test Pile Program. It contains more details on how this will work.

As explained previously, the 700 temporary piles (or pilings) that will be used in the actual construction of the new bridg will support equipment (like a 300-ton crane) used for construction, including the bridgesdeep foundations.

The 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 will let the project engineers evaluate issues around driving these test piles into the river bottom and the effect on the old bridge (which is not resting on bedrock).

In today’s packet, we learn more – including the two types of pile installation.

The procurement plan contemplates 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 (𝟭𝟲) 𝟯𝟲-𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵-𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀, consisting of 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 and 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 (𝗗𝗧𝗛) 𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲.

The anticipated work also includes marine equipment and temporary works, related pile-driving analyses and testing support, environmental controls, spoils handling and disposal, coordination with Authority-retained monitoring plan, and other services necessary to complete the installation.

The board today isn’t choosing a contractor, but only authorizing staff to finalize and publicly advertise an Invitation to Bid (IFB) for “the competitive procurement of a qualified contractor to perform temporary test pile installation services associated with the Trestle Test Pile Program.”

Other agenda items:
- An intragovernmental agreement with the City of Hood River to allow them to perform land use reviews, permit issuances, site inspections, and misc other tasks relating to needed services. 3-year agreement not to exceed $50,000.
- Pacific Waterways Conference

Executive Session follows conclusion of the public hearing.
Photographs of vibratory & impact hammer, and "down the hole" hammer are solely provided by me for illustration purposes.

09/04/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳
It was pointed out that some of the information in that first posting was incorrect.

I read through the Planning Director’s interpretation, and the application, and will try to correct the mistakes and clarify what the September 21st Hood River City Planning commission will need to rule on. (No one ever said that land use anywhere in Oregon was easy, so 𝗜 𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁.)

I’ve also added the documents available from the Planning Department. Here are the points for any comments by September 11, which can also be raised at the September 21st meeting.

• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 by the applicant 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗥-𝟯 (𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹)

It is not a review of a site plan for a 3-story multi-family apartment building..

Mark VanderZander’s original application on July 20 was for a zoning interpretation, asking for confirmation that a multi-family dwelling in an R-3 (urban high density) would not have density maximums or standards according to the city’s codes.

The sketch included with the application was to illustrate how a 3-story multi-family dwelling of 24 units, each about 700 square feet, could be placed on the R-3 lot at 307 Sherman. That R-3 lot is 125’ x 150’, which is about 0.4 acres. The sketch showed:
• Parking for 26 vehicles at the rear
• Landscaping covering 20% of the lot
• Available structure for apartments supports 24 units @ 700 square feet each (NOTE: as MY example of what a 700 square foot unit might look like, I’ve attached a screenshot of one of the Mariposa Village 1-BR unit floor plans. Mariposa Village had the most requests for 1-BR units, which range there from 681 to 730 square feet).

The Planning Director reviewed that application and found that the application was “is inconsistent with the underlying zoning standards and Site Development Standards for the R-3 zone in the Hood River Municipal Code.”

Director Dustin Nilsen’s interpretation includes findings that:
- Multifamily dwellings aren’t expressly exempt from the standards for “Site Development Standards for the R-3 zone”;
- In Point 4, Nilsen points out that past application of law & findings have applied to multi-family developments.

He uses File 2020-03, which as far as I can find was the review for the Adams Creek Co-Housing site. That 2.4 acre site could have accommodated 65 dwelling units on the site based on the R3 calculations in the existing code (https://cityofhoodriver.gov/wp-content/uploads/Meetings/Council-Cohousing-Staff-Report-attachments-2-17-22.pdf) but proposed to build only 26 units, and units ranged between 710 and 1,120 square feet (with added common area spaces).

You can read the 5 pages of the Planning Director interpretation in the photos (added Sept 7, 2026).

The September 21st meeting will allow the Planning Commission to hear Mark Z’s initial argument, plus Planning Director’s interpretation, and weigh in with their decision.

Mr. VanderZanden’s interpretation could, if supported by the Planning Commission, apply to R-3 properties throughout Hood River City, allowing the construction of more apartments for multi-family use, potentially increasing housing in the city. Planning Commission and other land use reviews frequently refer to past rulings when reviewing future applications.

It’s 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 been 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹. 𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁.

In Oregon, the entire building must be either condominiums OR apartments when built. If a building begins its life as an apartment building, individual units can’t be sold unless the building is converted entirely to condominiums. If a building is approved for condominiums, then the units built are sold but can be rented out as an apartment if the owners want.

I apologize for not getting this right from the beginning! I should have read through the full set of documents more closely. Sometimes trying to be brief isn’t a good idea.

You can read the Planning Director’s rationale for denying the proposed interpretation of the code in the photos.

Comments in support or opposing the appeal can be sent to [email protected] by Friday, September 11th, 2026, no later than 12 noon, in order to have your testimony provided to the Planning Commission in the hearing packet. You can, however, also sign up to present written or oral testimony at the September 21st meeting.

Original Post Below ... superseded by corrections above (9/7/26)
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿? Maybe...

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 & 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀

The proposal is to construct a 3-story building at 307 E. Sherman, a site that is zoned as 𝗥-𝟯 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆. The building would have 24 units, each about 700 square feet.

With that zoning, the apartments could be purchased outright, or be available for long-term rental.

The city's short-term rental limitations would NOT allow these to be STRs year-round.

The 700-square-foot apartments could appeal to those who want a home that’s walkable to downtown and don’t want the work involved in maintaining a yard.

The 24-unit building includes 𝟮𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, along with landscaping covering at least 20% of the lot. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗭𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻 (𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲).

The 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗲𝘀, namely:

"Minimum requirement for building sites: 𝙋𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭, a minimum of 5,000 square feet. Each unit thereafter shall require an additional 1,500 square feet."

Mr. VanderZanden’s counterargument is that 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟰 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀. And the site involved is zoned R3.

He points out that a multi-family building is an allowed use within an R-3 zone. He plans to build multi-family dwellings for residential use, subject to HRMC 17.16 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝗲, though the proposal must meet Site Plan Review criteria.

Further, he points out that the Planning Department’s ruling describes the minimum requirements for building sites intended for single-family homes and duplexes, not for multi-family homes.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹, you may present oral or written testimony at the 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 on 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 5:30pm.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱.𝗻𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗲𝗻@𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿.𝗴𝗼𝘃 𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟭𝟮 𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁.

See photos for full info from the City notice, plus site location and a rough sketch of the site plan for building coverage.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Failure to raise an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to City Council or the Land Use Board of Appeals based on that issue.

The appeal statement, Director's Decision, and all application documents and evidence are available for inspection. Please contact staff for electronic or paper copies of all materials (d.nilsen@ cityofhoodriver.gov ).

09/03/2026

Cascade Renewable Transmission Project - this is a proposal for a 100-mile electric transmission cable bundle to go underneath the Columbia River from The Dalles to Portland.

It remains under consideration with both OR and WA as well as other regulators. All the big wind and solar power comes from the eastern part of Oregon (and WA), while the coastal/metro areas of Portland and Seattle want the power. OR and WA have mandated requirements for converting to renewable energy sources.

HR County first heard information about the project in February 2023. I've posted the presentation about the project on YouTube (link here https://youtu.be/qRu8hBvEH20?si=p5A-VyzaqcLT_qKa )

Timestamps that may help you get to just a section you want to watch:
3:29 Presentation starts
9:45: They discuss various milestones for the project
14:17 How the line gets built;
16:58 The route in the river from The Dalles to Portland;
24:32 Commissioner questions (beginning with the effect on salmonids etc).

Note that it is the company working on the project doing the presentation

For other sources on the project along with writing about possible effects on fish and other river life:

Cascade Renewables https://www.cascaderenewable.com/

State of Oregon regulatory reviews & info: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities/pages/crt.aspx

US Army Corp of Engineers: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Cascade-Renewable-Transmission-EIS/

Columbia Riverkeeper: https://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/campaigns/no-underwater-power-line/

Columbia Insight: https://columbiainsight.org/are-we-ready-for-an-underwater-power-line-at-the-bottom-of-the-columbia-river/

Science News: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetism-underwater-power-cables-doesnt-deter-sea-life

US DOE: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/publications/behavioral-responses-migrating-juvenile-salmonids-subsea-high-voltage-dc-power-cable

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230201-how-undersea-cables-may-affect-marine-life

Disclosure: I listed a story in Columbia Insight from 2025. I am a board member there.

However, I've tried to give a range of sources here (there are many studies out there that are still underway). I also wanted to give access to the original presentation in HR County.

Hood River County commissioners heard a presentation about a plan t...

09/03/2026

Thursday, September 10: Meet the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Commissioners

This is a chance for you to swing by Dog River Coffee (Hood River) and ask questions about the plans for the new bridge.

Where: 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲, 𝟰𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗮𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿
When: 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬𝗮𝗺, 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬

You'll get a 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 and a chance to meet the people who've been volunteering their time for the last 3 years to get a new bridge.

If you want to refresh your memory about bridge issues, there is an FAQ section at https://hoodriverbridge.org/faqs (The Hood River White Salmon Replacement Project site).

WA residents - info on a similar get-together in White Salmon coming soon!

09/01/2026

Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority (HRWSBA) Tackles Test Piles, Bridge Traffic, Aesthetics, and Payment Delays


𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳?)

This program involves installing 18 36-inch diameter metal piles into the riverbed, very close to where the 10-foot diameter drilled shafts for the new bridge foundation will be.

The purpose of the test is to see how this installation affects the old bridge – in terms of bridge sway, vibration, and other measurements that the sensors on the old bridge will record.

The new test pile program no longer plans to drill into the exact locations where the future foundation will be, because that would have involved time-consuming regulations & leases around temporary piles in both OR and WA. Instead, the drilling will happen with the 18 temporary piles, which will take 8 to 10 weeks.

Eventually 700 piles will be installed in the actual bridge construction as the foundations for temporary trestles holding a 300-ton crane. That giant crane will be lifting very heavy 10-foot diameter drilled shafts forming the new bridge foundation.

The test pile program is a means to discover issues now rather than during the costlier construction phase.

HRWSBA commissioners held an executive session later in the week to approve a procurement oversight committee to assist with choosing a contractor to install the temporary test piles. They also authorized the committee to work on procurement documents necessary so that the test piles can be ordered soon – those have a long lead time and must be here in time for that limited in-water work window (January to March).

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

The Hood River County Planning Dept. has an application from the HRWSBA regarding the new bridge. Despite having multiple approvals from OR, WA, federal and tribal governments and clearing numerous regulatory hurdles for the new bridge, the plans still require review from Hood River County under Ordinance 75 of its Zoning Ordinances.

Hood River County Community Development department processes NSA permits within HR County, based on an agreement with the Gorge Commission, which lacks the staff to to process all the NSA permits.

HRWSBA has received correspondence from Friends of the Gorge with concerns over a few aesthetic issues involving both the concrete color and the design.

Commissioners who’ve met with “Friends” describe a good first meeting, and expect to meet again. In part, they’ll be pointing to a 2011 study that included Friends of the Gorge and Gorge Commission staff, along with numerous other group representatives, approving the design now being completed.

Further, the language in Ordinance 75 around the look of the new bridge is vague, and also doesn’t attempt to describe an engineering standard that incorporates the seismic and other features required in this bridge. Instead, there are words like “harmonious” and “iconic” which are going to be subject to subjective measurements rather than clear and objective standards.

Even more critically, the HRWSBA team will attempt to explain why a bridge design that may be preferred by these groups would not meet seismic requirements now in place, while attempting to perfectly hundreds of batches of concrete mixed and poured on site under a variety of temperature and other conditions wouldn’t yield the perfect uniform colors that might be ideal.

Let’s hope sense prevails on this.
𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘: I wrote a letter to HRC Planning Department, using the 2011 study and prior agency and group agreements on designs and stating my support for the file to be approved. That letter will be in the file of public comments receive

𝗧𝗵𝗲 $𝟱𝟯𝟮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗜𝗣 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 -

Last month the HRWSBA learned that the new application has been “recommended” by a review team in DC and moves on to the next round.

The team was given the chance to hear what parts of the application could be strengthened. A critical item mentioned was the 𝗕𝗖𝗔 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁-𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀.

That basically takes into account all sorts of measures – safety, travel time savings, seismic resilience, pedestrian benefits, etc – and uses a bunch of technical calculations to assign a value to each.

You add up all the benefits and compare those to the cost of the bridge and get a number that represents the ratio of benefits to costs. The higher the number, the better – more benefits coming to the community. (i.e. if the BCA value was 3.0, the benefits of a project would be 3 times its cost).

In the meeting, HNTB’s Kary Witt explained how recent 2025 bridge traffic data showing higher travel numbers over the bridge will help boost our BCA number, making our application more competitive. 2024 bridge traffic had dipped – in part due to the bridge closure for several days in June due to the accident, and also with bad winter weather.

The application will be adjusted to account for the stronger 2025, presenting a higher BCA. Let’s hope for a successful application.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗱?

The project received a BUILD grant from the US Dept of Transportation (BUILD = Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) in 2020. The last invoice using the grant agenda was submitted for $404,548 on May 9, 2025. More than one year later – still no reimbursement. 448 days.

The Federal Hwy system payables team sends in questions, the questions are answered by HRWSBA quickly, and then there’s a long period of silence and no payment. Then the payment team changes what they want or say they didn’t get the info. Although various government shutdowns and staff layoffs are likely contributing to delays, that kind of lag time poses a serious threat once construction is underway.

The USDOT is also picking at invoices that were approved and paid three+ years ago.

Let’s imagine the response from any government agency if we OWE money and don’t pay for 400+ days. (I bet you didn’t imagine that the government would smile fondly as you held off paying $ due, right?)

HRWSBA commissioners and staff are trying to decide on a strategy for the current delayed invoice as well as how to negotiate (if possible) on future grant payments. However, federal government payment issues may continue to pose problems for some time to come.

(Update from August 24, 2026 meeting)

08/28/2026

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴!

Today the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation district announced that 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗥𝗔/𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗟𝗟𝗖 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝟵 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, allowing permanent public ownersip of the land and connection of the two currently separate portions of the trail.

The announcement (available on HRVPRD’s website) quotes HRVPRD board president Christy Christopher: “Reaching this milestone was truly a team effort that took every partner working together toward the shared goal of completing this much-loved trail." (full announcement here: (https://hoodriverparksandrec.org/news-updates/nine-acres-of-open-space-for-indian-creek-trail-connection-secured-through-generous-donation)

Christy went onto say: "After nearly 30 years of the community envisioning this trail connection, we’re just a few steps away from it being completed. 𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀, 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁."

Next steps will include the engineering, design, and permitting for trail construction and connections.

During city council meetings about potential construction near the trail site, the challenges of building an elevated trail over protected and fragile wetlands were discussed. This land donation clears the way for an invaluable public asset celebrating nature within the city limits.

The press release says that the new section of trail will “...create over four miles of continuous pedestrian and bicycle access from downtown Hood River to Barrett Park on the Westside. It will also connect the High School directly to Columbia Gorge Community College's Hood River campus.”

HRVPRD’s announcement points out that “Funding for the trail connection has been partially secured thanks to the generosity of the community and efforts of the Hood River Valley Parks & Rec Foundation (HRVPRF), a recently formed non-profit dedicated to enriching the parks, trails, and rec facilities of Hood River County. By collaborating with local donors during the Foundation’s first fundraising campaign, HRVPRF raised more than $120,000. The funds raised to date will help cover the costs of the initial design, engineering, and permitting work necessary to move the project forward without delay.”

A big thank-you to Kenn Francis and the donors who have made this wonderful new connection to a city trail system possible. And to the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation and Hood River City staff that worked as a team to make this happen.

More fundraising will be needed to turn the dream of the trail connection to reality, but this was the critical first step long awaited.

08/23/2026

The Hanel Mill Debate & Decision

Adding additional comments and info from the Tuesday, August 18th Port of Hood River meeting regarding the land sale of 11 acres of light-industrial land.

Meeting Highlights included:

· 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 pointed out how local businesses are part of the fabric of the community, including:
o He’s made prior offers to the Port over 8 years to purchase property there, but as commissioners changed, the deals fell through.
o His company pays over $𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀
o His 4 companies employ local people, buy from other local businesses, pay family-supporting wages.

Recently when Wasco County Fair was canceled due to the Grasshopper Fire, Paul got a call telling him that the fair was being moved to HRC Fairgrounds and asking what he could donate.

He donated sawdust, port-a-potties, to help out. He reiterated his belief in local businesses supporting the fabric of the community.

· 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 also spoke and pointed out that he’s shown interest in the land adjacent to where they are for several years.
· 𝗝𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘀, a former Port Commissioner who served when the mill site was purchased, spoke about his interest and that the land was purchased to help support local small businesses.

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀, Champion Tool Storage – described how he started the company, working two FT jobs, and now employs 40 people from the local area and The Dalles, supporting family wage jobs and 6 professional jobs.

This is their 20th year in business. They manufacture and design tool storage equipment for industrial users across the US. They’re the only company like this west of the Mississippi.

Although the 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬% 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀, he remains because of quality of life and commitment to community. Wants to expand facility and number of jobs -

Note: Available industrial land in Hood River county and within HR CITY is limited. Without this land, some of the small businesses that want to expand are looking to Wasco County or out of state for those opportunities.

You can watch the Port’s YouTube channel for the full meeting.

I have a shorter version with 2 of the public comments plus the commissioner discussion (link: https://youtu.be/VSc8iOjSr70?si=n-CcyyzFH51QTtTL)

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗺𝗮𝗻 had a long preamble before any motion was made with her description of how the Port came to be in the position of considering 3 competing offers, and she stated her concerns that the challenges to the Amazon purchase reduced predictability and certainty for companies considering making land purchases here. She also expressed a warning of economic conseqeunces stemming from the uncertainty of facing land use challenges.

Finally, she ended by hoping that the experience would teach the community to “𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀” (timestamp 1:06:44 in the Port’s video).

In the end, despite a lot of appreciation for the group of business owners who wanted to purchase portions of the 11-acre site, the cash offer total from Dominguez Family Enterprises was weighed more heavily than the lower offer (and greater job creation) from the group (called “Offer C”), while the likely ongoing legal challenges to Amazon’s purchase could have delayed the Port’s ability to use cash soon for its roundabout financing (aka “waterfront development”) and its airport terminal building plans.

08/21/2026

🗳️ Hood River County is Hiring Seasonal Election Worker.

Join the Hood River County Elections team as a Seasonal Election Worker and play an important role in supporting safe, secure, and accessible elections.
👉 Apply today: https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/employment

08/20/2026

The 2027 Hood River City Council is ...
.. “𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞.” With 4 open spots, there are 4 candidates who have filed to run.

There are 4 positions up for election: Mayor, plus 3 council member seats.

Current mayor 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲-𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻..
Only 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿.

This could lead to yet another HR City election where the only person to run for mayor wins. That’s been the case for the past 8 years.

Councilor 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 to run again.
Council members 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 to run again.

𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 to run. Kate serves on the Hood River Planning Commission (she is the current Chair of the Planning Commission, and 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 “𝗬𝗘𝗦” 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 on January 5 this year).

There are 𝟱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 (𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟱 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲).

Let’s go for the “fun” option where no one else files to run. What will happen?

- 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿: In the absence of a strong write-in candidacy, Rivera will win 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 (again, sort of the norm now in HR mayoral elections).

- In the absence of any more people filing to run for City Council, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟯 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, regardless of how many votes each receives. (UNLESS a write-in name garners more votes than one of the candidates who has filed).

Voters who don't want the choices offered on the ballot can choose not to mark a name (or any name).

When there is only a single candidate for an office, or only the same number of candidates as open spots, ballots returned with nothing marked or fewer marks than the number of openings, get counted as an "undervote."

In the 2022 HR mayoral election, current Mayor Blackburn ran unopposed, gathering 2,289 votes. Write-ins (781) + nothing voted (809)= 1,590. The official results ignore the "undervotes" but had they been used, Mr. Blackburn would have gotten 59% of votes cast. With a total voter pool in HR City of 5,575, he was supported by 41% of eligible registered voters. (The competitive 2018 mayoral election had an almost 78% turnout with only 373 blank votes; Mr. Blackburn won with a plurality of 47% of the votes cast, including undervotes).

Competitive races usually bring more issues out for debate and more voters.

Rivera’s election to mayor will leave her spot on the City Council open.

The City will then post a notice asking for people interested (and meeting the requirements) to apply. Those people will be interviewed by the current city council members, who will choose someone to serve alongside them.)

FIVE more days to file. The clock is ticking. Viable candidates will have work to do – from yard signs to speaking to groups to getting the word about why you’re the best choice.

08/20/2026

Fire Danger: Striking A Balance in HR County

The Hood River County Board of Commissioners holds a special meeting on Thursday, August 20 @ 5pm to discuss current wildfires across the state and what actions Hood River County should take in county forest recreational areas.

The state's firefighting resources are stretched thin now. County leadership has been told that there are no additional resources available. If a fire were to break out either we would go it alone or resources would be taken off another fire.

Commissioners will hear from about both immediate and longer-term actions that might be in order.

This is a virtual meeting only. To watch live, visit https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/meetings, scroll down to the August 20th meeting, and click on "Registration" to get a link that will let you join the meeting.