Court Reverses Second Rezone of Hood River's Morrison Park
Contributed Photo. Pictured: Devin Carroll (l.) and Gabi Jorge (r.), who were very active in passing the ballot measure to protect the park, playing disc golf in the park with friends.
HOOD RIVER, OR -- On December 16, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a second attempt by the city of Hood River to rezone a local park for residential development. The Court ruled that the rezone violated the city's comprehensive plan law requiring protection of existing parks. In doing so, the Court found the city's reasons justifying rezone of Morrison Park for development were "not plausible."
The dispute over whether Morrison Park could be rezoned for development has been ongoing since 2016. The city's controversial first attempt to justify rezoning the park was appealed by Hood River resident Susan Crowley. The rezone was reversed in 2018 by the Court of Appeals because its justification was based on implausible reasoning.
The city rezoned the park for development a second time in March 2019, following an emotional public hearing. The city reasoned this time that replacing a portion of a park with housing could protect the park and meet recreational needs. Crowley appealed a second time. The Court of Appeals has once again reversed the rezone decision and found the city's reasoning implausible.
In the wake of the city’s second park rezone effort, more than a thousand city voters signed an initiative petition to place Measure 14-67, which affirmed the city's obligation to protect existing parks, on the November 2019 ballot. Over 70% of voters approved the measure.
"This Court decision is good news," said Crowley, "but equally good news is that the city has already moved on to choose a different site, which is not a park, for housing. That's a win for everybody. The city should be commended for its willingness to change course and do the right thing by Morrison Park. It's just unfortunate that two appellate court reminders and a ballot measure were necessary."
The non-profit group Protect Our Parks Hood River issued a statement today applauding Crowley’s work on behalf of the city’s parks. “With this Court decision Morrison Park will continue to give pleasure to the many people who enjoy its urban forest and disc golf course," said board member Tracey Tomashpol. "We congratulate the city for moving on to develop needed housing at a more suitable alternative site. We also urge the city to acquire more parks and open space as our city grows."
