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Planning commission approves Port of Morrow booster station after neighbors raise concerns about early site work
Summary
The Boardman Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 0.5‑acre non‑potable booster pump station proposed by the Port of Morrow, after neighbors raised concerns about apparent site prep and potential impacts to wells; the applicant said site prep was limited and preparatory work of this scale is allowed.
The Boardman Planning Commission on Nov. 20 approved a conditional use permit (CUP25‑2) allowing the Port of Morrow to build a 24‑by‑50 booster station on a leased 0.5‑acre parcel of city‑owned land near the Coonsie Lane/South Main intersection.
Staff planner Stephanie told the commission the proposal was reviewed as a public utility under the city development code and recommended approval subject to a lease agreement and an access permit. Walter Ross, an engineer representing the port, said the structure is needed to boost hydraulic pressures for an existing surface‑water transmission line and described the facility as a fenced, aggregate‑surfaced pad with a pre‑engineered metal building. “This is not an effluent line or a waste‑type transmission line,” Ross said. “This would be river water … that we would be pumping to a plant in order to treat it to a potable water standard.”
Several nearby residents urged the commission to deny the permit or delay action, saying heavy equipment and grading appeared to have begun before planning approval. “Construction started on the 6th… It’s already irreversible,” Samantha Aldridge said, adding she was worried about damage to wells, driveways and neighborhood character. Staff and the applicant responded that site preparation for trailers and limited grading is commonly done in advance and that preparatory work of up to 0.5 acre is allowed; Ross said principal construction of the booster building had not yet started.
Commissioners discussed groundwater and irrigation concerns, local examples of similar booster facilities, and the project’s benefits for regional water transmission. After deliberation the commission moved to approve the CUP with the conditions listed in staff’s report; a voice vote recorded a majority in favor and the permit passed. The staff conditions included execution of a lease with the city and obtaining the county access permit already applied for by the applicant.
The decision and conditions are administrative and may be appealed under land‑use procedures. The record shows no open lagoons or waste‑water uses associated with the project, and the applicant said the line transmits untreated surface (river) water for subsequent treatment.
