To the editor:
When we live in a beautiful place, one that people travel to for enjoyment, quiet and the beauty of living at the edge of a continent, with all the place has to offer, how can it be protected? What should be protected?
All in Oregon and especially in the coastal areas have watched as our towns and cities grow and change. In the past two to three years, development has skyrocketed. Housing for some has become a real issue. Vacation rental over development has also become a problem affecting residential neighborhoods both within and out of city limits.
There is a small pristine area just south of the Yachats River bridge along Yachats Ocean Road. The Yachats Inn is located there as are homes and wetlands filled with an assortment of birds and wildlife. Eagles soar above, whales can be seen from there as can pelicans, gorgeous sunsets and breathtaking ocean views.
The developers of Agate Point want to build seven vacation rentals disguised as a hotel on a half-acre wetland parcel, asking to be exempt from city codes requiring an acre. They also want an exemption from the code requiring access from U.S. Highway 101 to a small gravel residential road Shellmidden Way.
For every vacation unit they want at least two parking places and fire pits and all of this in a wetland area. These wetland areas are an important part of the shrinking wild places we see as we grow and develop. The roadway itself really cannot handle more traffic and usage.
Does the time come when we say enough is enough? If we cannot protect some of these rare and beautiful places even if small, what kind of stewards of the environment and quality of life, are we?
— Rheychol Paris/Yachats
If the developer’s statements are correct, your claim of “wetland parcel” is incorrect. You are implying that the lot is fully a wetland. It will be interesting to see how your definition of “wetland” differs from the city or State’s definition.