Before big crowd, La Pine Planning Commission approves disputed Habitat for Humanity townhome project

Neighbors' claims of lower property value, other impacts disputed by organization

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A standing-room-only, overflow crowd attended a La Pine Planning Commission hearing Wednesday night, many to voice opposition to Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver’s proposed 34-townhome subdivision in the Newberry neighborhood.

But after hearing from both the applicant and the critics, the commission voted to approve the project, though opponents could appeal their decision to the La Pine City Council.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, planning commissioners got right down to business. Many residents of the Newberry and Crescent Creek neighborhoods turned out to express their disappointment in the development. Some focused on a deal between Habitat and Pahlisch Homes.

“The city, who owned the property at one time, was offered a great deal of money by Pahlisch to buy it, and they turned it down,” said resident Kathleen Camerer. “They, in turn, gave it to (Deschutes) County, and then the county gave five acres to Habitat for Humanity.”

Many expressed concern that the townhomes, along with other recent developments for low-income people in the area, will bring down the value of their homes, and more.

Cecil Brooks told us, “And so now, they are going to build this low-income community right behind them, and so their property values are going to drop, what? – 10, 20, 30% almost immediately.”

That’s something Habitat for Humanity Project Manager Wade Watson strongly disputed.

“We are building homes to be sold to homeowners,” he testified. “They are pre-qualified by lending institutions, using the same criteria that many of the rest of us has to go through.”

“They have to have a history of steady employment and an adequate income to qualify for the loan,” Watson continued. “They have to have a good credit rating and a minimal debt load. All of our applicants are already residents of south Deschutes County.”

Residents also raised the issue of insufficient lighting for the new development, noting the lack of street lights in their neighborhood.

“We have no street lights,” Camerer said. “There are no lights that shine on anybody’s property. Part of them (the new residents), at least half of them will be young children and families. So to me, it’s not a safe place for them to be.”

Vicki Russell, chairman of the board for Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver, addressed the concerns of insufficient lighting and unsafe conditions.

“There are city and county requirements that all lights cast down,” she said. “You could check that out for any subdivision, or any lights that are in a home development.”

Russell said the stance that many La Pine community members have taken with this subdivision is disheartening.

“This is a real disappointment, to see that neighbors are using the lack of information, and not being a good neighbor.”

City Principal Planner Brent Bybee said the planning commission approved the application as recommended by staff, with added approval conditions related to retaining trees throughout the development and light diffusion.

Brooks told the commissioners it was not the right step.

“This is going to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths,” he said. “They are going to leave. It’s going to be a bad mark on you guys. If you’re really concerned about what we want, it’s not going to happen.”

“I don’t mind people who are low-income, but don’t divide us,” Brooks said. “A house divided cannot stand.”

Anyone who expressed objections to the project has an opportunity to appeal the planning commission decision to the La Pine City Council.

You can read more about the plans, view the presentation and read the large volume of submitted information and comments at this city web page.