Madras Planning Commission approves conditional-use permit and site plan for outdoor RV storage on Merritt Lane

The Madras Planning Commission voted Nov. 20 to approve a conditional-use permit and site plan (CU241 / SP24-3) allowing outdoor RV storage on a parcel accessed from Merritt Lane.

Staff told the commission the property is in the county’s Mixed Use Employment zone and that, although the packet initially cited county approval criteria in error, the county and city standards are substantially aligned. “Staff’s recommending approval with the same conditions of approval,” staff said during the hearing.

Public testimony focused on whether a historic roadway referred to locally as Grant Street is a recorded public street or easement and on the presence of irrigation infrastructure. Jim McDonald, a neighboring business owner, said recent sales and bankruptcy proceedings for an adjacent parcel raised concerns that a recorded access had been lost and asked whether an easement might run through the proposed parking area. “Would that easement be going through the middle of this parking lot in the corner, or is it going to potentially get purchased as an easement?” McDonald asked.

Applicant Jay Salisbury presented a boundary survey and reported he had consulted the Bureau of Reclamation about an irrigation lateral identified on plats. Salisbury said the bureau indicated the lateral had been vacated in part and that a 35-foot easement remained at the south line of the lot; BOR staff told him irrigation could be extended later if necessary. “They would just run it,” Salisbury said, describing the bureau’s option to straighten or extend the easement only if future irrigation demand required it.

Staff and public works staff reviewed tax maps and partition plats during the hearing and told commissioners they had not located a court-recorded easement or a recorded street dedication for Grant Street on the subject parcel. Staff observed McLaughlin Lane provides recorded access near the parcel and said there was no documented need to require additional setbacks for RV storage based on the materials they reviewed.

Commissioner Eder moved to close the public hearing and later moved to approve the conditional-use permit and site plan; Commissioner Bridal seconded the approval motion. Chair Melissa Irvin noted that a conditional-use permit is an appropriate temporary use for property that currently lacks sewer service and that the permit’s conditions allow neighbors to raise problems later if the use changes. The commission adopted the motion by voice vote; Chair Irvin announced the motion carried.

The decision includes the conditions of approval that staff recommended in the packet. The commission also approved meeting minutes from Aug. 7 and Sept. 18 during the same session.

Next steps noted by staff include recording the decision in the file and the ability for interested parties to request the written record remain open to submit additional information or evidence, consistent with hearing procedures the chair read at the start of the meeting.