Surfrider Foundation's North Coast Chapter and Oregon chapter network are battling a development that's proposed to convert a public beach right-of-way into a personal private "super" driveway. The development, located in iconic Cannon Beach, raises a number of important conflicts to Surfrider's beach preservation policy, interest to plan and properly adapt for climate change and protect an "access for all" ethos by preserving the public beach right-of-way.
Early rendition of the private "super" driveway that would convert a public right-of-way along the beach into a private driveway.
Oregon's public beaches are an icon for the state and no other place along the coast exemplifies the history and importance of this recreational birthright more than Cannon Beach. Governor Oswald West, the first instigator of Oregon's public beach policy, himself built a home here. But just next door to where that home was built, which was recreated as a museum, a proposed private driveway would eliminate a public right-of-way and access adjacent the beach and ocean shore.
Abandoning a public right-of way adjacent the ocean shore for private interests raises serious equity and access concerns for Surfrider and potentially creates beach safety concerns. Further, the project would site a tremendous amount of new infrastructure in ground zero for existing hazards and the rising tides of climate change. Dive into our formal comments to learn about the myriad of project concerns or visit the project page to learn more.
Surfrider Foundation has been working with a number of partners since 2020 to comment and appeal local decisions around the project. Key advocates from the historical center, Haystack Rock LLC., Friends of the Dunes at Cannon Beach, and Oregon Coast Alliance have been critical support in earlier land use appeals and our review of City codes. Surfrider has been submitting comments, educating our members and providing testimony throughout the process. Following multiple failed applications, a LUBA appeal and now hopefully a final City Council hearing, we hope the final dismissal of the project is near!
How You Can Help!
Written Testimony: Don't feel you need to give multiple reasons, or get into the weeds of City codes, just state your opposition
Please submit your written testimony to barrett@ci.cannon-beach.or.us by Monday July 10, 2023
Attend the Meeting: Your just being there tells the City Council how much this community opposes this development. Come support those giving oral testimony.
Provide Oral Testimony: Oral Testimony is often the most effective. Please prepare your remarks in advance, and limit them to three minutes. Contact barrett@ci.cannon-beach.
You can provide oral testimony in person or over Zoom. See more below for details.
LINK TO CITY'S DOCUMENT FILE: 2023 LUBA Remand of Development Permit DP#22-06 at Taxlot# 51031AA00600 | City of Cannon Beach Oregon (cannon-beach.or.us) Public comments are in Section D.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ATTEND:
Join by Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/
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