On September 9, it was standing room only during a special public hearing of the City of Rockaway Beach about a proposed housing development in the Nedonna Beach neighborhood.. Those in attendance filled all the chairs, sat on the floor, and stood in the doorways during the proceedings. Approximately 20 additional people participated via Zoom. In a nutshell, the topic of the hearing was whether or not the City would (again) approve the development after an appeal of the approval heard by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) remanded it to the City. At the hearing, fifteen people spoke against the development citing the necessity of protecting the remaining wetlands and streams in that neighborhood, as well as the shallow groundwater system that is an integral component of the City’s drinking water supply. In addition, there was the question of whether or not the original approval of the project in 2008 had expired.
The applicant, Nedonna Development LLC (Anna Song), received approval in 2008 from the City of Rockaway Beach for the creation of a phased, 28-lot development. The majority of this development was never completed. In 2024, they submitted an application to plat Nedonna Wave Phase 2, which the City approved. More detail on the history and policy issues surrounding this case can be found in the RB City Planners’ staff report: https://corb.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Staff-Report-with-Appendices.pdf
With grassroots support from North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection, this 2024 approval by the City was challenged by the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and their legal counsel, the non-profit Crag Law Center. First of all, last year an appeal of the approval was made to the City Council which voted against it. As a result, the case was brought before LUBA. They sustained Crag’s argument that the City had made two errors in their approval and remanded the case to the City to adopt more adequate findings. The first assignment of error related to the City’s use of their Special Area Wetlands Zone. The second assignment of error related to whether or not an expiration date on the 2008 PUD approval was clearly defined. In order to address the remand, the City scheduled the special public hearing that was held on September 9.
Prior to the hearing, well over twenty written comments by people opposed to the project were submitted to the City. At the hearing, fifteen people testified orally in opposition to the development. The applicant’s attorney was the only one to testify in favor of it. A wide range of concerns related to the two assignments of error were expressed. With regards to the first, many people who testified expressed concerns about the loss of wetlands that would take place if the development were allowed. These concerns included potential endangerment to drinking water, increased risk of flooding, harm to fish-bearing streams, and loss of habitat for wildlife. Others testified that the mapping of the area that the development proposal was based on was confusing and unclear, and that since the original project approval in 2008, there have been significant changes to the wetland areas and the City’s plans and ordinances.
The hearing concluded by the City Council voting unanimously to deny the developer’s application. This is a critical step forward to protect the region’s natural resources. The developer does have an opportunity to appeal to LUBA within 21 days from when the City finalizes the decision. City staff will write up final findings and conclusions which will be signed at a future meeting. Everyone who participated will get notice of when that final decision is made and everyone who participated will also get notice of any appeal by the developer.
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection thanks Oregon Shores, Crag, and especially all those who submitted testimony in opposition to this development. Also, NCCWP thanks everyone who attended these City Council meetings to show support for saving the remaining wetlands of Nedonna Beach. Thanks go to the Rockaway Beach City Council for their decision and for listening to their constituency. (And the beavers who live in the wetlands thank everyone, too.)
An intact ecological system is crucial to our community’s health and wellbeing. Now we need your voices in order to make protection of the wetlands permanent. We need to pay attention.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in future related activities, including the monthly community meetings that NCCWP holds on the last Tuesday of each month (Sept. 30th) between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary by the Sea Parish Hall; 275 S. Pacific Street; Rockaway Beach, Oregon. NCCWP wants no more logging and pesticide use in community water sources regardless of who owns the land, and wants an end to pesticide applications near where people live, work and recreate. Safe drinking water and clean air are part of the public trust that we all are entitled to have. Please help North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection safeguard and restore our drinking watersheds. www.healthywatershed.org | www.facebook.com/NCCWATERSHEDPROTECTION For more information or to unsubscribe, contact rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com
Here’s a message from Oregon Shores:
Another Major Win for Rockaway Beach’s Wetlands — But Eyes on What Comes NextFor those of you who’ve been following the Nedonna Wave case: we have amazing news! The City of Rockaway Beach just denied the developer’s application — affirming what many of you already know: Special Area Wetlands are not suitable for development. This decision follows our earlier LUBA win and sets a powerful precedent for protecting coastal wetlands. Thank you to everyone who has joined in this fight by submitting comments, showing up at the hearing, or cheering us along.The developer has 21 days to appeal the City’s decision, and we may need to mobilize again to defend this outcome, but for now, a celebration is in order!