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Clatsop County and fair board begin strategic‑plan update, discuss conditional‑use changes and community outreach
Summary
County commissioners met jointly with the Fair Board for a work session to review a proposed scope of work and draft strategic‑plan update for the fairgrounds; topics included conditional‑use permit changes, security rules, camping, stakeholder outreach and potential capital‑improvement inventory.
Clatsop County commissioners and the Fair Board met in a joint work session to review a proposed strategic‑plan scope of work for the county fairgrounds and to discuss near‑term operational and permitting issues.
Fair Board members and county staff summarized a packet of accomplishments and an initial scope that would produce a 10‑ to 15‑year plan for the grounds, together with an inventory of capital needs. Fairgrounds Manager Kyle Sharpsteen and staff outlined several operational items that could be addressed short of a full conditional‑use permit amendment, including updated facility‑use agreements, security and refundable deposits to deter after‑hours noise and rule violations.
“We’re talking about what that scope of work looks like for a strategic plan,” a Fair Board representative said, describing proposed stakeholder interviews and community meetings. Staff estimated the scope at roughly $40,000 and said the work would be phased.
Commissioners and board members discussed issues raised by neighbors, notably camping, late‑night music and traffic control for large events. Several commissioners encouraged a step‑by‑step approach to conditional‑use permit changes rather than a single omnibus package to promote clearer community input and minimize conflict.
Commission members recommended broader outreach to bring non‑agriculture users into the planning process and to better document the fairgrounds’ year‑round economic and community uses, including weddings, trade shows and festivals. Commissioners also urged staff to locate historic records and financial and attendance data for prior years to enable clearer comparisons in the strategic analysis.
The boards did not take formal action; staff said the draft scope and stakeholder list would be refined and returned for future consideration. Fair Board members said they will pursue stakeholder interviews and a market analysis as part of the strategic plan.
