Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Klickitat County Commissioners faced another long public comment period yesterday. Thirteen people stepped forward, and it took an hour and a quarter to get through them all.
One surprising comment came from Matt Chiles, an appointed member of the planning commission, who was upset that the final ordinance presented to the board stripped out changes crafted by the commission:
“Good things that we deliberated on for months have been thrown out, including increasing the maximum number of bedrooms, increasing the maximum ADU size, increasing the allowed setbacks for the main residents, eliminating the resident ownership requirement, and most importantly, removing the onerous and permanent restrictive covenant branding on the deed of any parcel that has a legal ADU.”
Chiles, who was trained as an urban planner, said Klickitat County citizens are in desperate need of housing, and that ADUs. done properly, can create that needed housing. He added that when there is not enough housing, it’s the poor who suffer the most.
A number of commenters expressed concern that commissioners were not moving fast enough or forcefully enough to avoid being steamrolled by an industrial giant. Goldendale resident Mike Todd put it this way:
“Private equity will outgun, outlaw, out legal us at every single aspect. They can law fare you to death. And so I just want to urge you with as much as I can to slow roll this process.”
And Heather Jobe, Klickitat County Auditor, gave everyone a timely reminder:
“Just a reminder that the general election is November 3rd. Ballots must be returned in a ballot box or to my office by 8:00 PM on the 3rd. If you’re going to mail them, please mail them a week early and go into the post office and have them hand canceled.”
She also pointed out that voters can drop their ballot at any voter drop box in the state, as long as it was done on time.