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Staff finds unpermitted trails, 9 acres disturbed at Whitewater Bike Ranch; county pledges fixes
Summary
County staff told the planning commission that DEQ identified roughly nine acres of unpermitted land disturbance at the Whitewater Bike Ranch; staff and supervisors acknowledged communication breakdowns and outlined enforcement options including submitting a full plan, working with the building official or removing unpermitted structures.
County staff told the Washington County Planning Commission on April 28 that inspections at the Whitewater Bike Ranch uncovered unpermitted work and significant lapses in interdepartmental communication.
Mr. Berry said DEQ inspected the site and found "somewhere near 9 acres of disturbed land via the trails, unpermitted." County staff described how the project initially remained within the stormwater area of responsibility and was not circulated among zoning, building and planning staff, producing a "doughnut hole" where required reviews and notices did not occur.
Staff said they had met with the applicant and counsel and outlined three options communicated to the applicant: return to the planning commission with supporting documents and proper permits; work with the building official to regularize the existing structure; or remove the unpermitted building. Commissioners emphasized the need to treat outdoor recreation and ecotourism developments with the same review rigor applied to industrial or economic development.
Commissioners and staff agreed to improve internal cross-department communication and to consider a planning-commission review or oversight committee to handle complex or sensitive projects outside the full commission meeting when appropriate.
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