Eighty to 100 homes could eventually line a one-mile stretch of U.S. 101 in Warrenton between the KOA Kampgrounds and the Warrenton Soccer Complex. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Warrenton City Commission voted unanimously, with Russ Farmer absent, to adopt the planning commission’s recommendation to approve a zoning change on 180 acres of a 278-acre parcel of land owned by John Willener of Hooper, Utah, and Mary Stangland of Eugene. The approval was granted with the condition that existing drainage on the property not be interrupted. Staff was directed to draw up an ordinance that would rezone the property from A-5, Coastal Lakes and Freshwater Wetlands, to R-10, Intermediate Density Residential, subject to the city’s growth management plan. First reading of the ordinance will be held at a future meeting.

The Commission’s action came after a detailed explanation by Warrenton Planning Director Patrick Wingard, who said areas of the rest of the property include the city’s largest intact wetlands and wildlife corridor and must remain protected by A-5 zoning. A deed restriction required by the city as a condition of approval will help ensure that protection remains, Wingard said. Even without the zone change, Wingard said the entire 278-acre parcel “has the potential to accommodate hundreds of homesites.”

Warrenton Mayor Paul Rodriguez said he’s satisfied that the Commission made the correct decision. “I think it’s being handled right,” he said.

In other actions, the Commission approved an agreement with the city of Astoria for emergency dispatch services for the police and fire departments. Warrenton will pay approximately $108,000 for those services in the fiscal year that began July 1.

The Commission approved appropriations from the Warrenton Business Association of up to $2,860 to the Fire Department for purchasing radios and up to $19,200 to pay for permits to dredge the Hammond Marina. The WBA may make another donation later to the Police Department for a new tracking dog. The appropriation for the marina is in addition to the $25,000 in transient room tax revenues allocated earlier, which will go toward the actual dredging.

And the Commission adopted an ordinance that allows the city to use a collection agency for overdue water bills rather than stopping water service.

At the end of the meeting, Commissioners decided to schedule a workshop to discuss the possibility that the city of Gearhart will discontinue buying water from Warrenton. A joint work session with the Gearhart City Council will be scheduled later. Gearhart is now receiving water under the terms of a previous contract that has not been extended or renewed, and the Gearhart City Council is looking into developing its own water system, prompted mainly by increases in the rates charged by Warrenton. “We’d like to establish communication with them,” said Mayor Rodriguez.