It is obvious to most of us, including elected and appointed officials in PO, that there has been a major failure of communication and cooperation regarding the proposed county zone amendments. (See previous posts.) Where the fault lies is less important right now than the need to slow the train down before it fatally derails.

There are rumblings of a kind of summit meeting in the works involving Port Orford (Council and Planning) and the Curry County Board of Commissioners. Also at the table may be the state Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), which manages urban growth and protects coastal areas, among other functions.

What can the ordinary citizen do at this point?

First, keep eyes on the process. Today, August 2, the PO Planning Commission meets at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall. Unfortunately, a packet for the meeting is not available on the city web site, though it was shared with some in the city. It will be a hybrid meeting. Call City Administrator Jessica Ginsburg (541-655-0044) for information on how to join in. Or maybe the information will be on https://portorford.org/planning-commission/ later today.

Second, immediately write and/or call the Curry County Board of Commissioners and each commissioner individually to ask them to slow the train down and get all of the parties to the table. Time is of the essence, because the new zoning amendments will be on the table for the August 17 meeting and could be approved then and there.

BOC_Office@co.curry.or.us
Ph: (541) 247-3296
Fax: (541) 247-2718
(800) 243-1996

John Herzog, BOC Chair
541-247-3260
HerzogJ@co.curry.or.us

Christopher Paasch, BOC Vice Chair
PaaschC@co.curry.or.us
541-373-7203

Court Boice, Commissioner
BoiceC@co.curry.or.us
541-247-3229

See the proposed amendments here, under July 21 Planning Commission Meeting: https://www.co.curry.or.us/government/planning_commision/index.php?fbclid=IwAR2yQCbDh_wi7CXKB7HK3RFTqCfVNgqIoNuDzc4hkStGO37Oyj4xdCye11s#revize_document_center_rz2436