Umatilla RV Resort Seeks Approval For More Permanent Residents

    The City of Umatilla is considering a request from the Olde Mill Stream RV Resort in Umatilla to expand the number of residents who can stay at the park year-round. The request was up for consideration during the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, July 2, but was postponed.
   Olde Mill Stream is seeking to increase the year-round resident capacity to 30%, or 160 spaces at the 486 site park. Remaining residents at the park, which operates at capacity during the winter months, are limited to six-month stays. Currently, 15% can stay year-round.
   The request has found support in a staff review, with the potential of increased economic activity in the community as a chief reason. The report did cite an increased burden on city utility services should there be more residents in the park.
   Additionally, the staff report cited a denial could place an unnecessary hardship on the owner.
   However, a final staff recommendation was to deny the request. But should it be approved by the council, city staff is asking for conditions, including the year-round sites paying a higher utility impact fee, as well as paying police fire and impact fees.
   The resort has operated in Umatilla for over three decades, and has always had limits on how long residents can stay. Early in its existence, the park was not allowed to have any full time residents.