Hearing held on pot shop proposed near Sunriver

(Update with comments from hearing attendees)

The fate of another marijuana shop proposed for outside city limits in Deschutes County, this one south of Sunriver, was discussed at a hearing Tuesday evening, with the property owner and several concerned neighbors in attendance.

It’s proposed for the corner of Spring River Road and Lunar Drive, on the road to Mt. Bachelor. Among those testifying before a Deschutes County hearings officer were the owners of the property.

“We meet all the requirements the county has deliberated on in their moratorium and approved our situation, and that is kind of our fight,” said owner Tyler Walker. “If a lot of this concern was brought up, it should have been brought up during that time, when the county was taking testimony on what zones would work and why people wanted it, instead of now fighting a business that we have fought so hard for and followed all the laws and rules what we have to.”

Several homeowners attended Tuesday evening’s hearing. One resident has lived in that area for almost 30 years.

“If it goes there, I just want to move,” said Terri Rice, a resident on Lunar Drive. “The problem is all these people on my road, it’s retired people. And this is where they thought they would come to live their quiet existence, and it’s not going to be quiet anymore.”

There are more than a dozen homes in the area off Lunar Drive where the recreational marijuana store would go.

The area is called the Deschutes River Recreation Homesites or DRRH.

Major concerns among people living in the neighborhood include increased traffic, as well as the effect a marijuana retail shop could have on property values.

One homeowner said earlier Tuesday she’s getting ready to sell her house and is worried this will cause her home value to plummet. However, a shop owner nearby said it didn’t bother him because it might end up bringing in more business.

Karen Newcomb, the treasurer for DRRH, said he would be at the hearing and has several concerns.

“I am against it because, No. 1, it’s on a corner that’s had a few good accidents.” she said. “No. 2 because everyone going up to the mountain will be high.

And because it’s at the very entrance of a rural home site area.”

So far, the Deschutes County Planning Division has received 14 emails and letters in opposition to the planned building.

The associate planner on the request, Chris Schmoyer, said one hurdle could be making sure the report contains information regarding traffic issues at the site.

The building was previously approved to serve as a medical marijuana dispensary, but that never opened.

The different clientele could mean different traffic requirements.

Schmoyer issued a reminder to people about how to go about voicing their concerns

“You can say whatever you want. You’ve got a right to do that,” he said. “But be aware, if it’s not applicable to a specific review criteria or any review criteria, then the hearings officer can’t apply or consider it.”

Another issue at play is the fact that homeowners of units 1-5 on Lunar Drive have a deed of ownership on the land across from the proposed retail shop.

At Tuesday night’s hearing, the hearing officer agreed to take written testimony for another week, then take some time before making a decision, which both parties will have the opportunity to appeal.