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History

The existing Gearhart fire station is severely outdated and too small for the current level of operations. After a lengthy search process, including consultations with geologists and State of Oregon officials, we arrived at the decision that the High Point site on Marion was the most resilient site for our new fire/police station within the City of Gearhart. For the past two years, the City has pursued the purchase of High Point performing due diligence including appraisal, geo-tech engineering, architectural renderings, and construction cost estimates. As the City prepared to finalize the written purchase agreement and have a vote to finance the purchase/construction at High Point, we received an email from one of the property owners stating the family is no longer interested in selling their 4 lots to the City. And further, the Palisades Homeowners Association will do everything they can to block the City's efforts to have the HOA's road easement between the lots eliminated.

At the same time, the City was approached by a developer who owns a large residential subdivision just north of Gearhart on Highlands Lane. This subdivision is located in unincorporated Clatsop County, with zoning that requires 1/2 acre minimum residential building lots. The developer has requested the City of Gearhart to make the 33 acre subdivision part of the City, which would allow the developer to keep more residential building lots than the County allows. The landowner will be able to build up to four dwelling units per acre. This change would allow for greater housing density, lower home prices, and a greater number of home sales.