Commissioners weigh allowing private business use on public lands after Sunset Lake parking request

Planning staff sought policy guidance from the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on whether private businesses should be allowed to use small parcels of land deeded to the public.

"We recently received a land use application proposing to use a portion of land that is owned by and deeded to the public," staff said, outlining uses such as kayak or canoe rentals, food-truck staging and a farmers market. Staff said legal counsel advised the county could authorize such uses so long as they do not interfere with the purpose for which the land was deeded.

Commissioners repeatedly cautioned against opening the door to private commercial uses across the county. "My first instinct is no," one commissioner said, warning that allowing profit-making uses could create staffing and code-compliance burdens and the appearance of selecting "winners and losers." Another commissioner recommended that decisions be handled on a case-by-case basis and flagged sites where community volunteers currently maintain parks as candidates for public outreach.

Board members asked staff to return with clearer, site-specific proposals and public engagement plans before adopting a standing policy. Planning staff said the application before the county seeks to delineate parking spaces at Sunset Lake Park; they recommended any required parking improvements be built and maintained by the business under contract or resolution language if the board approves a use.

The discussion did not result in a formal action; commissioners directed staff to proceed with caution, provide the application and options for standards, and ensure opportunities for public comment at the formal public hearing stage.