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Polk County commissioners ratify hearings officer's denial of youth camp permit for 7425 Gold Creek Road
Summary
After extensive testimony from neighbors and technical staff, the board adopted the hearings officer's administrative order denying conditional use permit CU 25-14 for a proposed youth camp on a 100.7-acre site at 7425 Gold Creek Road, and the motion to ratify the denial passed by voice vote.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners voted to ratify the hearings officer's administrative order (No. 26-13) denying conditional use permit CU 25-14, which would have allowed a youth camp on a roughly 100.7-acre parcel at 7425 Gold Creek Road in Willamina. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to ratify the hearings officer's decision, and the chair declared the motion passed after voice votes of "aye."
Planning manager Sydney Shorter opened the hearing, told the board that the applicable review criteria are found in Polk County zoning ordinance sections 111.280 and 119.120, and explained the options available to the board: ratify the hearings officer's decision, or direct staff to schedule a de novo hearing to consider additional evidence. The hearings officer had issued an administrative order denying the application on June 10, 2026; the applicant appealed on June 23 and the record was distributed to the board on June 24.
Applicant counsel Ty Wyman and planner Zach (identified in the record as Zach Fels) argued the property is suitable for a self-contained outdoor youth camp, described proposed mitigation (setbacks, planted buffers, cluster development, noise controls, and a deer and elk habitat management plan coordinated with ODFW), and offered conditions addressing fire safety, transportation, water service, and habitat protections. "The record clearly demonstrates that this application meets those requirements," the planner said in defense of suitability.
Neighbors and conservation advocates, speaking in opposition, cited repeated permit withdrawals and alleged unpermitted land clearing, reservoir expansion and road-building on the site; Gold Creek Ranch neighbors reported an active code-enforcement order for unpermitted activity. Opponents said the parcel lacks a forested setting, is visible from Gold Creek Road and adjacent properties, and would be difficult to shield from noise and visual impacts for up to the applicant's projected attendance. "There was a significant amount of ground disturbance and vegetation removed adjacent to Gold Creek," a neighbor said during public comment.
After public comment, a commissioner moved to ratify the hearings officer's decision and the motion was seconded. The board voted by voice; the chair announced the motion passed, adopting the hearings officer's denial as the final local decision. The board did not immediately schedule a de novo hearing or accept additional evidence at the meeting.
