Westfir City Council approves Trans Cascadia/Crows Feet Development plans at the March 7, dual Planning Commission, City Council meeting.

By JOY KINGSBURY/reporter for The Herald  —  Nick Gibson and Blair Banker of Trans Cascadia Excursions will develop a campground park on eight and a half acres of what has been blackberries and brush for years. The site is just upriver and across from the Office Bridge and north to about the trestle. The campground park is planned to accommodate five class B small self-contained RV spaces, 23 spaces for car vans, and 9 small cabins. The plan includes a washroom with showers and toilets. Other amenities including a pavilion and bocce-ball court.

Crow’s Feet to remodel old Westfir grocery store

David Marchi’s Crows Feet enterprise, will remodel the old approximately 4,000 sq. ft. market in Westfir, adjoining the Post Office, into a multi use building. The space will house a Tap Room, Bike store, and groceries, which, they believe will bring commerce to the area which should benefit both Westfir and Oakridge.

The plan met final approval at Monday’s Westfir City Council meeting with newly seated Councilor Kathleen Bishop abstaining from the vote.

 

The development met with much contention. Many citizens objected by placing “Save Westfir” signs in their yards. Locals resistant to the enterprise cited noise, traffic, lack of parking, congestion, and incompatibility with the neighborhood. City Council was presented with a petition signed by 104 members of the community who objected to the project. This is a sizeable number in a City with a population of 275. Councilor Bishop had conferred with many locals, understood their objections, and felt they had merit. At the time, she was not serving on Westfir’s City Council.

Detailed planning led to the final approval

Both plans met all of the criteria. The developers were able to address all issues from previous Planning Commission hearings. After many revisions to satisfy citizen and Council concerns, as well as compliance with all city ordinances and laws, the project developers won the day. Many locals spoke in favor of the well-planned development at a pubic hearing held February 15^th, with three in dissent. One resident was disrespectfully vocal an as asked to leave.                                                                                                    t

 

I was able to speak with Nick Gibson, of Trans-Cascadia Excursions. He expressed that this development will be respectful of local residents and the entire community. They plan to maintain a well ordered, clean facility, and to bring healthy commerce into the area.