The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - At least 25 people gathered at the Lions Building in Waitsburg Monday evening to attend a public hearing on a planned new housing development in the city called Whoopemup Meadows. While many came to comment on the proposal, the hearing had to be cancelled because two members of the commission did not show up, and the group did not have a quorum.

Commission Chair William Potolichio, was in attendance, along with board members K.C. Kuykendall and Karen Gregutt. However, the two other current commission members, Bart Baxter and Marie Gagnon, did not attend the meeting.

A sixth position on the commission is currently vacant, according to city officials. They said that at least three commission members, besides the chair, are required to be in attendance in order to establish a quorum.

As The Times went to press Tuesday, a new hearing date for the proposed development had not yet been set.

As The Times has reported, Warren Land Company, owned by developers Gene and Mary Warren, submitted an application to the city last month for the 114-unit housing development, which would be built on 42 acres in the northwest corner of the city.

By city ordinance, the city's planning commission is required to review the proposal and consider whether city ordinances and regulations are being met. They then must make a recommendation to the Waitsburg City Council, which will make the final decision on whether the development can move forward.

After the hearing was canceled by Potolichio, attendees were invited to stay and discuss the proposal.

Gene Warren described his background as a Columbia County farmer and real estate broker. He said he and Mary purchased the land three years ago. They had farmed it for several years for the previous owners, Andy and Camille McElhinney, and they continue to farm it.

Warren said that he and Mary are currently focused on developing the first phase of the development, which he said would include about 16 lots.

The engineer employed by the Warrens to help design the new development, Greg Flowers, spoke briefly, as did Howard Boggs, of Anderson Perry and Associates, who serves as the city's engineer.

A number of concerns were raised by meeting participants, and The TImes will have further coverage of the discussions, and status uf the development in next week's edition.