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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHarper Bridge Boat Launch MemoCommunity Development Department Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Health Division 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 977C 1-1925 (541)388-6575 FAX(541)3E5-1764 http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/ MEMORANDUM DATE: September 16, 2009 TO: Deschutes County Planning Commission FROM Tom Anderson, Community Development Director Nick Lelack, Planning Director SUBJECT: Harper Bridge Boat Launch Discussion Background: A public boat launch at Harper Bridge has been discussed for nearly 20 years, and one has been in place for about 15 years. However, concerns have been raised over its use. The following land use decisions have required a public boat launch at the bridge: 1. In 1992, the Tentative Plat approval for Crosswater Limited Partnership (TP -92-795) required the applicant "to dedicate land for a public boat launch on the Deschutes River near Harper Bridge." 2. In 1993, the Phase 2 Tentative Plat approval (TP -93-817) placed a timeline by which land for the boat launch must be provided. Specifically, Condition 23, states, "Developer shall dedicate land for a public boat launch facility on the Deschutes River near Harper Bridge prior to recording the final plat for Phase 2." 3. In 1994, Condition 23 to TP -93-817 was modified by MC -94-6 to extend the time period by which land for the boat launch was to be provided. The condition states, "Developer shall dedicate land for a public boat launch facility on the Deschutes River near Harper Bridge prior to recording the final plat for Phase 3 or no later than September 1, 1995, whichever is sooner." 4. In 1994, the County issued a land use permit for the bridge and a conservation easement was placed on the property to satisfy this condition of approval - it dedicated the land for limited public access for the boat launch. However, it is important to note that the condition did not (1) specify the amount of land to be dedicated, (2) the means by which the land would be conveyed for this purpose, nor (3) require the applicant to build a boat launch. Today, a conservation easement remains in place for public access and the boat launch exists. Quality Services Performed with Pride Issue: The Board has recently received correspondence and questions from the public about the boat launch. Specifically, public communications to the Board have indicated that the site has become unsafe due to heavy usage, traffic and parking issues and people unsafely crossing Spring River Rd. In response to these communications, CDD staff researched the boat launch at Harper Bridge with respect to the original Crosswater land use approvals (discussed above). Staff also met with Steve Runner from Crosswater/Sunriver at the site and learned of additional relevant information pertaining to the boat launch. The attached map/aerial photo and photographs show the location of the boat launch on the south side of Spring River Rd. and the kayak/canoe launch on the north side (not part of the Crosswater approval). Parking is limited on both sides of the road and there are no mitigating improvements such as turn lanes, acceleration/ deceleration lanes, crosswalks, etc. Based on staff's research of the prior land use decisions, permits and conservation easement, staff believes Crosswater has complied with the condition of approval by allowing land owned by Crosswater to be used as a boat launch. CDD records show that the final plat was approved and recorded, although it is not known to what effort staff went to verify compliance with the condition at that time. Thus, the County's ability to require additional dedicated land for the launch site may be limited. Given the proximity of a tee box on the Crosswater golf course and abundant wetlands adjacent to the launch site, along with the County's approval of the final plat, Crosswater has indicated they are not able to provide additional land for a launch site expansion or related facilities (i.e., parking, additional lanes). Other Information: Staff has also learned that the Sunriver Owners Association (SROA), the land owner to the north of Harper Bridge, has considered building a new public boat launch on its property using State Marine Board funds. The idea was ultimately tabled due to concerns of neighbors in the area along with liability and legal questions. The effort was sponsored by the Sunriver Anglers Club, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is not known whether the proposal could be resurrected. Despite announcements and news reports to the contrary, the Sunriver resort marina has remained open to the public this summer. The resort is also considering leasing land to SROA for a canoe/kayak launch site adjacent to the marina. There are at least three additional boat launch sites available to the public in the general area -- one across the river from Sunriver on forest service land, and two in the vicinity of Benham Falls. There are two additional launch sites upriver from Harper Bridge—one at La Pine State Park, and one within the Deschutes River Recreational Homesites, although it is not certain if the latter is open to the general public. Requested Action: For discussion only.