Controversial Development Withdrawn In Umatilla

    A proposed high-density apartment complex in Umatilla has been scrapped. The proposal, for 116 units at the intersection of CR 450NE and Fletcher Road, which had been widely criticized by residents in the area, will not move forward.
   “They’ve officially withdrawn it. They are going to regroup,” said Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship while speaking on the topic in the past week. The item had been set to be up for consideration during the Umatilla City Council’s March 7 meeting, after being tabled at a January meeting so the developer could meet with concerned residents to discuss their concerns. That meeting, held on February 8, found no middle ground between the developer and residents concerning the apartment complex.
   What could be developed going forward is up in the air, but Blankenship said his discussions with the property’s owners indicate an intention to develop the property in some way. Currently, the 10-acre site is zoned for single family homes at a ‘medium’ density.
   “The property owner wants to do something with his property. I totally expect them to come back,” Blankenship said.
   A citizen group that has formed to be a voice regarding development in Umatilla was planning on continuing to meet on the subject, with a gathering slated at the North Lake Regional Park this week. Part of that discussion could be regarding future development of the site that would be more appealing.
   “We know it is going to be developed,” said group member Scott Ede on Monday.