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Chiloquin leaders, county staff and DEQ discuss phased reuse of mill site, annexation and funding options
Summary
City council members and county staff discussed a phased plan for the Chiloquin mill site—glamping, trails and limited concessions—highlighting zoning, annexation, DEQ/EPA brownfield funding and the need for cultural and groundwater reviews before any ground disturbance.
City and county representatives used the May 5 meeting to outline a multi‑agency, phased approach to redeveloping the old Chiloquin mill site for recreation and limited revenue‑generating uses.
Robert Kelly, a Chiloquin city councilor and executive director of a local community group, described prior planning efforts and proposed low‑impact attractions such as summer glamping sites near the river and a concession stand to fund ongoing park maintenance. “The idea was to potentially put some glamping sites that would be summer only down by the water,” Kelly said, adding the plan is intended to be implemented in phases.
County planners and staff raised zoning and ownership questions: the site is currently zoned heavy industrial, and staff suggested annexation into the city could simplify zoning and service delivery. County staff said the county currently owns the property and discussed options including annexation, a transfer of deed, or a long‑term lease back to the city that would let the county retain title while enabling development.
Environmental and cultural constraints were a recurring theme. Staff and the city reported prior capping and remediation work; county staff said parts of the site are capped for contaminants such as PCBs and noted groundwater restrictions and riverbank (riparian) setbacks that limit ground disturbance. City and county staff discussed pursuing EPA brownfield or Oregon Parks and Recreation Department planning grants to fund site assessments and planning, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) indicated interest in supporting predevelopment assessment and remediation planning. Participants also emphasized early tribal consultation and archaeological review to avoid later cultural‑resource conflicts.
Next steps discussed included clarifying DEQ’s current remediation and deed/liability stance, pursuing brownfield or OPRD planning grants for a phase‑one environmental/site assessment and community engagement, and exploring annexation or lease models so the city can manage park operations without immediately assuming liability for cleanup.
Provenance: presentation and exchange on annexation, DEQ, brownfield grants and lease options run across the transcript segments covering the Chiloquin mill site discussion; speakers included Robert Kelly, county planning staff and county property management.
