THE OCEANSIDER: “Modernistic” Design for Proposed Hotel on Maxwell Point

By Jerry Keene, Editor, The Oceansider

The new hotel planned at the site of the former House on the Hill will “veer away” from traditional coastal wood structures to feature a more “modernistic” and “design-forward” look,” according to Nile Hagen, spokesman for the development group that will file an application for a “conditional use” permit from the county within the next month or so. Hagen and project architect Walker Templeton attended the Oceanside Neighborhood Association yesterday (April 6) to preview their plans and to take questions. Most of the information was consistent with that previously obtained and reported by The Oceansider earlier this month.

Artist rendering of three-building compound with “green” roofs proposed to replace the former House on the Hill.

Key features of the planned project include:
1. 24 guest units with capacity for 48 guests, plus 5-10 staff members
2. Three-story buildings with most parking beneath the residential levels
3. Guest-only amenities that include a restaurant, spa, yoga and meeting spaces
4. A steel-frame structure with 3-D printed exterior panels
5. “Green” (vegetation) roofs to minimize stormwater run-off
6. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing the ocean.

Developers are exploring a process to use 3-D printed materials consisting of 60% recycled glass. The eventual panels will probably feature more windows.

Community members at the meeting largely focused on issues like traffic management and overflow parking, building height and setbacks and the plan to limit use of hotel amenities, (including the restaurant) to its guests. Hagen deferred responses to many of the traffic and parking concerns, saying only that the developer will comply with whatever street and infrastructure improvement measures the county will require as conditions of approving a construction permit. (The county will formulate such conditions during the public hearing process that will follow submission of the permit application.) Hagen also indicated that use of 3-D printed modular components, proven feasible, will significantly reduce construction time after a permit is approved. He estimated that. absent unforeseen obstacles, construction could be completed within a year.

Netarts Bay Tides Claim Another Life

That Coast Guard helicopter flying close to shore Friday morning (April 5) was searching for a visitor swept away by the incoming tide in Netarts Bay the night before. The 50-year-old male and his wife (names have not been released) were clamming when caught off-guard by a wave that filled the victim’s high-wader’s boots, pulling him down and away. His wife was able to swim safely to shore. This information was provided by emergency volunteer Jeff McBrayer of Netarts on Friday morning after working with the search teams throughout the night. Please warn your visiting guests about the risks involved in recreational activities on the bay and the beach.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

April 13 NOFD Pancake Breakfast (fundraiser)
Netarts Fire Hall – 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
$10 Per person Donation / $5 for Kids
Come congratulate retiring Chief Carpenter
at his final Pancake Breakfast

April 18 Oceanside “Drum Circle”
Oceanside Community Club 5-6:30 p.m.
Bring your own drums or shakers (some extras available)
Questions to: Carol Kearns at carolkear03@yahoo.com

April 20 ONA Special Informational Meeting
Introduction to the ONA and its Community Role
Live and Zoom Meeting – 10:00 a.m.
(A recording will be made available)

And that’s the view from Oceanside!