Planning staff reports steady permit volumes; Hidden Canyon and cell-tower hearings scheduled
January 28, 2026 | Crook County, Oregon
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Planning staff updated commissioners on permit activity and development projects during the Jan. 28 work session, reporting steady monthly permit volumes and multiple pending items for upcoming hearings.
Staff said November and December permit counts were roughly 179 and 143 respectively and that year-to-date totals remain comparable to recent years, with approximately 170 houses and several hundred commercial permits currently under construction.
On specific projects, staff said the Hidden Canyon development is tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission on March 11. Part of the development agreement includes a memorandum of understanding among the county, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and RMG Destination Resorts addressing improvements at the US-136 intersection; staff encouraged commissioners to meet with ODOT and RMG prior to the planning hearing.
A commissioner raised concerns that RMG's financial contributions appear tied to buildout of 200'1-250 housing units; the commissioner warned such timing could delay needed intersection work if buildout is distant and urged negotiations that ensure intersection improvements advance sooner.
Staff also reported a continued hearing on a Palau View cell tower set for Feb. 11 and noted growing public comment on that application. Other topics included data-center tenant improvements and potential glycol chillers for cold-storage facilities, preparations for apartment pre-final inspections with Ochco Lumber, and an ODOT grant reported by staff for a walking path extension (staff estimated the grant at about $2'2.5 million).
The work session did not produce formal land-use decisions; staff said some items will move to the Planning Commission or be placed on future agendas for conditions-of-approval decisions. Commissioners agreed to raise construction-routing preferences with the subdivision review committee to try to limit sensitive local road impacts where feasible.
Staff said November and December permit counts were roughly 179 and 143 respectively and that year-to-date totals remain comparable to recent years, with approximately 170 houses and several hundred commercial permits currently under construction.
On specific projects, staff said the Hidden Canyon development is tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission on March 11. Part of the development agreement includes a memorandum of understanding among the county, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and RMG Destination Resorts addressing improvements at the US-136 intersection; staff encouraged commissioners to meet with ODOT and RMG prior to the planning hearing.
A commissioner raised concerns that RMG's financial contributions appear tied to buildout of 200'1-250 housing units; the commissioner warned such timing could delay needed intersection work if buildout is distant and urged negotiations that ensure intersection improvements advance sooner.
Staff also reported a continued hearing on a Palau View cell tower set for Feb. 11 and noted growing public comment on that application. Other topics included data-center tenant improvements and potential glycol chillers for cold-storage facilities, preparations for apartment pre-final inspections with Ochco Lumber, and an ODOT grant reported by staff for a walking path extension (staff estimated the grant at about $2'2.5 million).
The work session did not produce formal land-use decisions; staff said some items will move to the Planning Commission or be placed on future agendas for conditions-of-approval decisions. Commissioners agreed to raise construction-routing preferences with the subdivision review committee to try to limit sensitive local road impacts where feasible.
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