An earlier version of this article stated policy 19, “environmental integrity,” was removed from the Gearhart parks master plan. The policy was not removed, Planner Carole Connell said after the meeting, but modified to add clarity. Portions regulating environmental integrity in city-owned parks were retained.

A policy regulating city dunes landscaping sent the Gearhart Parks Master Plan back for changes last Thursday night.

“I don’t want to throw cold water on anything but I’m not going to be able to support this as written as it contains policy No. 19,” Planning Commissioner Terry Graff said. “In my opinion, the issues addressed in policy 19 are already addressed in the existing tree and vegetation standards and the new language in 19 appears to me to be in direct contrast with that existing policy.”

He said proposed restrictions on parks and dunes are unnecessary. “Until I hear some professional that tells me that that’s necessary, I’m not willing to support it.”

The parks plan, designed to look 20 years into the future, was developed after the state awarded the city $15,000 grant funds for the project, part of the 2019 local government grant program from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The Parks Master Plan Advisory Committee approved the plan in late August and sent it to the Planning Commission for review and approval, before heading to the City Council and added to the master plan. 

The draft plan reviewed last week added “city-owned” to the parks and included a provision in policy 19 that there are three areas in the oceanfront dunes that are zoned for park and open space and owned and maintained by the city. 

Planning commissioners voted to delete references to the ocean dunes while maintaining other portions of the environmental integrity provision.

Language in policy 4 was also modified, deleting reference to “preservation of scenic views … from within the dunes and from neighboring properties.”

Graff suggested the dunes policy be separated from the parks plan. “If somebody wants to bring it up at a later date, they certainly can do that. At that time, the Planning Commission can consider the issue, have a public hearing and decide if changes need to be made.”

Commissioners Graff, Austin Tomlinson, David Smith, Don Frank, Russ Taggard and Virginia Dideum voted 6-1 to update the parks master plan with changes discussed at the meeting. Kloepfer voted against.

An updated draft will be presented at the next meeting