Crescent Bar plans deadline wanted
The front entrance of Grant PUDs Ephrata headquarters. Crescent Bar Chronicle Publisher Harlan Beagley asked commissioners Monday to finalize land use plans about Crescent Bar Island.
EPHRATA — Crescent Bar Chronicle Publisher Harlan Beagley asked Grant County PUD commissioners Monday to finalize land use plans for Crescent Bar Island by summer’s end.
EPHRATA - Crescent Bar Chronicle Publisher Harlan Beagley asked Grant County PUD commissioners Monday to finalize land use plans for Crescent Bar Island by summer's end.
Beagley said the stability of a plan is needed to further explain the island's future and so people will quit dwelling on the end of the lease.
The seasonal Crescent Bar Chronicle newspaper and other island-area business owners are affected by the uncertainty.
Beagley presented an advertising prototype to commissioners to aid the PUD with a positive message about future land use.
Commissioners said they would take the information under advisement. They made no decisions Monday.
"I'd like to end this summer knowing there was a transitional plan, even though it had no details," Beagley said after the meeting.
There is already a radio and print advertising campaign underway by islanders opposed to the lease's end. The lease allows them to live on the Grant-PUD-owned island, but expires in 2012.
Commissioner Randy Allred said he appreciated something positive and coming to a conclusion abut the issue.
The PUD is working with potential concessionaires to operate certain aspects of the island and has had discussions with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
"We're at the stage of listening," Allred said.
Allred added he didn't want to feel he was being rushed into making a decision about what would or would not take place.
Beagley said he appreciated Allred's comments.
Beagley suggested the PUD combine feedback from the parks and recreation people with renderings for the advertisement.
Commission President Bob Bernd said the PUD has an October deadline regarding land use plans.
Bernd commented about his concerns over releasing a plan that would might be construed as being endorsed by the commission.
Commissioner Terry Brewer concurred with Bernd's comment.
"I think we're on the right path," Brewer said.
Brewer wouldn't want to rush into a decision. They should have more concrete plans by the end of next year's summer season.
In July, Crescent Bar Resorts owner Tom Parks addressed the commission.
He said area businesses would have nothing if the island was closed during the transition.
Commissioner Greg Hansen concurred with Bernd and Brewer.
He could see where the paper would be concerned, but wants to take his time for the sake of everyone and the islanders.
Beagley, the Chronicle's publisher, is also publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald.