Crooked River Ranch Roundup

By John Bowler  November 1, 2011

CRR Correspondent

Community center update

Last Saturday afternoon, about 75 Ranchers who attended a town meeting held by the Ranch Community Development Organization, were informed of some promising developments in the long pursuit of a community center.

The Ranch CDO was organized in 2003 as a nonprofit 501 3c organization to develop projects that would enhance quality of living at CRR.

Frank Wood, who was instrumental in the organization, served on the homeowners' board for six years -- two as president. One of the first such projects CDO initiated was a Ranch community center, with roughly $12,000 of seed money donated by the CRR Chamber of Commerce and Ranch Seniors.

The Seniors originally received a portion of those funds as gifts earmarked for a community center, and asked the Chamber to administer them.

The MacPherson family, the original developers of the Ranch, own about 130 acres of land at the approximate geographical population center of the Ranch, at Mustang and Quail, south of the new fire hall. The family was contacted regarding the possibility of acquiring a parcel of land for a community center.

Negotiations continued for some time, but no agreement was reached. After going into a holding pattern for a few years, the organization became active again this year, retaining Hope Johnson as board president.

Wood remains the CDO's point man with the MacPherson family and achieved a breakthrough with them when they introduced a new family member to manage their holdings.

He explained it all Saturday in a definitive review of an offer made by MacPherson to donate 10 acres of their holdings in return for Ranch support to change the zoning of the entire 130 or so acres.

The zone change involves obtaining approval of a site master plan from Jefferson County and the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission, both of which require strong community support for the change.

Wood thinks it's doable and funding for the project, estimated at about $4 million, would be through private and public grants.

He estimates the whole deal could be completed some time in 2015, if all goes well. Of course, it will involve a lot of work, along with strong public approval, but appears to be a win/win proposition for the Ranch, the MacPherson family and investors/developers, without raising taxes or fees for Ranchers.

The deal would result in the Ranch acquiring a 10-acre tract for a community center, gratis.

MacPherson would set aside another 10 acres for a school, 10 for a commercial area and over 100 for 50-55 two-acre home sites, along with a park and walking trails. Five acres could be devoted to an assisted living retirement village.

The community center building itself would take up two-thirds of an acre, have at least two stories and include: a commercial kitchen, library, multipurpose room with seating for 400, offices, courts for volleyball and basketball, exercise room and walking/running track, dressing rooms and showers, lounge and indoor swimming and other amenities.

Outside would be fields for various team sports like football, soccer and tennis, as well as parking for 200 cars.

Wood said the CDO has informed local organizations and the Club and Maintenance Association board of these possibilities and all were generally supportive as they will need to be for the master site plan to gain approval.

The attendees Saturday were of the same mind, and enthusiastically applauded Wood's presentation. Refreshments were donated by Crooked River Realty owner and CDO board member Nancy Popp.

According to Wood, the CDO has briefed other ranch organizations on this opportunity and generally received a positive reaction.

Ben Johnson said he did not know enough about the MacPherson offer to comment, but would have questions down the road and would take the matter up with the full board when they had more information.

There was insufficient time to confirm the substance of Wood's presentation with longtime MacPherson counsel, Attorney Paul Sumner of Madras.

The Pioneer will follow future progress toward making the community center a reality and keep readers apprised. Contact Hope Johnson at 541-923-2679, or access www.crrcdo.org for more information.