The long-awaited, much-anticipated, all-new . . . task list, from Mayor Dean Bunkers to the Planning Commission:

Initial Planning Commission Tasks

 1.  The #2 Council Goal is to “Create a pro-active cost effective facilities improvement plan that includes an aggressive strategy to market and sell, sellable City-owned properties.”  Based on that goal I would like the Planning Commission to review their September 14, 2007 recommendations and update in accordance with present information and needs.

Specifically:

Permit Center (Parcel 0915000125000) and relocation.  Provide a recommendation for relocation of the Permit Center, and the possible consolidation of other City functions such as Court/Council Chambers. 

North Golf Course Property (15 acres, parcel 090100800006) — Address potential impact and resolutions such as relocation/reconfiguration of holes on the remaining south acreage and eastern course parcels.

Kim Property (2 parcels) – Address wetlands and possible mitigation costs if appropriate.

Public Works Land (19 acres, parcel 617121011003).

Any other City properties you deem appropriate as sellable property. 

At its Jan. 12 meeting, City Council debated what to do with the 19 acres of land between the Public Works shop and Ocean Shores Elementary School. It was purchased 10 years ago by the City, for $350,000, and is probably worth at least three times that much, now. Mysteriously, the entire 19 acres was re-zoned as B-2 Commercial, a change from its original R-1 Residential tag. Council ultimately voted 4-2 to have Public Works Director Ken Lanfear send the issue to the Planning Commission.

They didn’t say when.

The Planning Commission met on Jan. 13, and the 19 Acres was not on the agenda. They met again this afternoon, and still no 19 Acres. City Planner Alicia Bridges told the commission Lanfear was still doing research on the area. 

Now, the Planning Commission won’t look at the 19 Acres until, at the earliest, March 10. That’s the next planning meeting. There were two meetings scheduled for February, but the commission voted to cancel them, due to people being out of town.

Two words: Beach Time.

Click below to see dead deer (WARNING: this is a bit grisly and potentially disturbing) in the “19 Acres” area between Public Works and Ocean Shores Elementary School, photographed over the weekend by Andy Gruse:

from this week’s North Coast News:

Another year, another controversy. More curious Ocean Shores politics; another mystery . . .

So the City of Ocean Shores has a stretch of 19 acres right next to the Weatherwax that is simply being used for dumping sand and asphalt and the like.

Since the City is in such economic crisis that it laid off eight workers, and Mayor Dean Bunkers has stated he may have to lay off more, and since some in City government had been hoping to sell the Weatherwax, until that was pretty much shot down by November’s “retain” landslide vote . . . 

Well, why not sell this 19 acres and boost the City’s banking account?

Bill Prante sends along photos taken over the weekend of dead deer, apparently road killed and dumped in the mysterious 19 acres next to Public Works, adjacent to Weatherwax. This land was purchased by the City in 1997, using utility funds. I will ask City and Ocean Shores Elementary School officials to comment on some of Mr. Prante’s concerns (echoing those of other locals), chiefly:

“they shouldn’t be just thrown on the road,in the open to draw a cougar (as in the past) or a bear. It is right behind the church and right next to the school. There are two of them within 20 feet of each other.”

WARNING: the photo is potentially disturbing, can be viewed by clicking below