>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

ENTERPRISE — A conditional use permit for construction of an airstrip for personal use on the Bar B Ranch near Promise was approved by the Wallowa County Planning Commission at its April 29 meeting.

According to a proposal presented by Jill Long, an attorney for the ranch owners from Portland, the building of an airstrip is an allowed use on land zoned timber/grazing and will be used only seasonally by the family and guests of the owner on the July 4 each year.

The airstrip will be designed for one single-engine propeller plane so noise and dust will be kept to a minimum.

 Long said the airstrip will be compatible with the active cattle operation on the ranch because it will allow for more on-site management.

In order for the airstrip to be constructed, Sickfoot Road, the access road, had to be moved and re-constructed. Long said  the ranch owner has spent $30,000 on the project and plans to spend more and that the improvements will be a benefit to the citizens of Wallowa County.

Commissioners expressed concerns that the end of the runway is too close to the north property line.

“We have the perception that the owner feels they can do whatever they want and they have the money to do it,’’  Commissioner Chris Geyer of Lostine said. “We hope we can work in partnership and follow due process. Because of the distance it is hard for us to monitor. We would like to develop a trusting relationship.”

The application was approved with the condition that the leafy spurge be sprayed annually to control spreading. Findings on the application will be presented next month.

A request for a temporary use permit was granted to the Wenaha Muzzleloaders for the operation of a shooting range at Saw Mill Bar near Troy on property owned and managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The permit covers both annual and monthly organized events by the muzzleloaders.

According to a report from Planning Director Lance Bailey, the muzzleloaders have been using this site for monthly shoots and for their annual rendezvous for at least 30 years, apparently in violation of the county code. Since the Wenaha Muzzleloaders are a declared organization with regularly scheduled events, they are required to obtain a temporary use permit to be renewed annually.

Opposition to the request included Troy residents who are concerned about the unauthorized, unorganized shooting that occurs at random times of the day and night at Mill Bar.

Dave Flynn of Troy said Mill Bar is too close to the town of Troy and that the shooting range is not in accordance with accepted use of the area near the Wenaha River, which is a designated wild and scenic river.

The commissioners granted the permit with the provision that the muzzleloaders increase signage at Mill Bar notifying citizens of their scheduled shoots.

The commission also gave unanimous approval of findings to support its vote to approve conditional use permits for a home-based occupation involving partial production of bronze hardware for Myron Kirkpatrick and a home-based occupation to operate a massage therapy business for Nancy Greene.

Findings also supported approval of a conditional use permit to allow the creation of one 18-acre parcel and the construction of one non-farm dwelling under the provisions of HB3326 within the exclusive farm use zone for the Noble family.

A conditional use permit application was denied to applicant Patricia J. Tippett of Baker City to build an accessory farm dwelling to be occupied by a relative on a 130-acre piece accessed from Lower Diamond Lane near Wallowa. Approval would require a lot line adjustment, which the applicant did not wish to pursue at this time. Action was continued until next meeting, pending withdrawal of the application.

The Wallowa County Planning Commission meets the last Tuesday of every month in the courtroom on the second floor of the Wallowa County Courthouse at 7 p.m.