Impact Report 2023

Here are some highlights of our work this year:

• Reviewed every land use permit submitted to Hood River County to ensure that no violations of the county code took place. Pulled 55 permits so far this year for further review and potential conversations with the county and applicants.

• Circuit court Judge John Olson ruled that Thrive Hood River’s original challenge of the 2002 land trade between the county and Mt. Hood Meadows was legitimate and should proceed to trial.

• 2nd annual Streets Alive! event in the Heights, celebrating the city’s commitment to livability.

• Oregon’s land use court, LUBA, ruled in Thrive Hood River’s favor to prevent a Bed & Breakfast proposed as a commercial lease, not operated by residents, that would have set the stage for real estate investment firms to buy homes on rural lands and turn them into tourist lodging staffed by employees.

• Thrive Hood River supporters PACKED the courtroom as Circuit Court Judge Olson heard Thrive’s arguments to undo the original 2002 land trade.

• Led educational outreach to the citizens of Parkdale, to help them understand the land use system and potential options for the future of Parkdale as the unincorporated boundaries are set.

• Partnered with Oregon Agricultural Trust, Gorge Grown and Friends of the Gorge to lead a partner panel discussion during the Land Trust Alliance Rally, hosted by Kiyokawa Orchards.

• Worked with the County to refine limits on food pairings that support wineries and cideries while keeping exclusive farm use land from being converted to restaurants.