As part of a settlement with Clatsop County, the owner of an overcrowded Warrenton RV park agreed in December to reduce the number of permanent dwellings from more than 60 to 43 — the number stipulated in a 2012 compliance order.

Ken Hick, owner of the Sunset Lake Resort and RV Park, recently submitted an application to the Clatsop County Planning Commission to change the ratio of the 43 units.

He requested the ratio of 18 mobile homes and 25 permanent RVs be changed to 21 and 22, respectively.

The Planning Commission denied his request Tuesday with a vote of 6-1, after considering public comment from Hick’s attorney and multiple neighbors against the change.

Dozens of neighbors held a community meeting last week at the Astoria Golf and Country Club with representatives from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and Warrenton Fire Department to discuss ongoing concerns with the park.

Ken Ellsworth, a neighbor, said Tuesday neighbors are frustrated that Hick never complied with previous orders and still has not complied with the December settlement. More than 50 permanent dwellings appear to still be on the property, he said.

“His actions speak louder than his attorney’s words,” Ellsworth said.

The county began enforcement action against the park in 2009 in response to complaints from neighbors. At the time, county staff found about 90 units at the park, with more than 60 connected to an overburdened septic system. Gray water was also being released into the lake from some sites, according to a citation.

The overcrowding also appeared to increase criminal incidents, according to the county.

A hearings officer issued an order in September 2012 to set the maximum number of permanent mobile homes at 18 and RVs at 25. Hick failed to meet the order.

After several inspections and continued non-compliance, Clatsop County sued Hick in late 2013 to enforce its order. The December settlement dropped the lawsuit and ended the lengthy standoff over the multiple code violations. Hick had to pay $5,000 to offset the county’s costs.

Ken and Joyce Carrell, who live near the park, said no matter what the ratio, 43 permanent units is still too many for the park.

“I have trouble believing (Hick) is going to be in good faith, when he has not historically shown he has been in good faith,” Ken Carrell said.

Blair Henningsgaard, legal counsel for the Planning Commission, said Hick has a constitutional right to his property and the county cannot lower the number of spaces. In addition, Hick has the right to request a changed ratio, Henningsgaard said, and that right was agreed upon in the settlement.

“The county can’t say that is the wrong number of spaces because as the years went by the county didn’t take any action,” Henningsgaard said.

Robert Stricklin, the Planning Commission member who cast the lone vote in favor of the ratio change, said he made the vote because the county already agreed to let Hick change the ratio.

Under the settlement agreement, Hick, owner of Resources Northwest Inc., had to apply to the county to modify the use or ratio of his park. It is then up to the county to approve his application. Stricklin suspects Hick’s lawyer — Kevin Luby — will appeal the Planning Commission’s decision.

County staff recommended approving Hick’s request, claiming the ratio change would not expand or impact the square footage threshold at the park.

“Staff was not able to identify any adverse impacts that would result from just the change in the ratio,” Senior Planner Jennifer Bunch said.