THE OCEANSIDER: Oceansiders Choose Community Gateway Sign

By Jerry Keene, Editor, The Oceansider

Erin Go Bragh! (Ireland Forever)

In balloting last week, Oceansiders chose this design submitted by Oceansider Kim Green for the new entry signs to be installed at our north and south community boundaries on Cape Meares Loop Road and Highway 131, respectively. Over 400 votes were cast, and Signage Committee Chair Kris Woolpert said the winning design won by a sizeable margin. The other two finalist designs were both submitted by Oceanside graphic artist Andrew Roberts. The Tillamook Coast Visitors Association plans to produce and install the signs as part of its “Wayfinding” signage program, as it has for several other Tillamook County communities. In an interview with The Oceansider, TCVA Executive Director Nan Devlin indicated she was “hopeful” that funding for Oceanside’s signs and other Wayfinding projects would be approved by the County Commissioners in time to fabricate and install them before the end of the year.

Oceanside STR Cap Committee Meeting Set for March 18

When the County Commissioners adopted “caps” on short-term rental (STR) licenses last year, it imposed individual caps on each of the unincorporated communities (including Oceanside) based on the current percentage of residences with STR licenses. (Oceanside’s cap is set at 20% or 130 STRs.) The county is now facilitating meetings by committees that have been appointed in each of those communities to discuss any local adjustments that might be warranted or desired. The Oceanside Neighborhood Association’s STR Cap Committee meets on Monday (tomorrow), March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Netarts Fire Station. The meeting is open to the public and may also be viewed via a county-provided “Teams” link contained in the ONA Announcement linked below.

ONA Invitation to STR Cap Meeting with Teams Link Info

Oceansider Terri Warren serves as chair of the Oceanside Cap Committee. She also served on the county’s STR Committee last year.

Paul Newman Named New Water District Chairman

Oceansider Paul Newman was named Chairman of the Oceanside Water District Board of Directors at its most recent meeting in February. He stepped in to replace previous President Henry Wheeler who resigned from the Board this month for personal reasons. The move comes as the Oceanside Water District is exploring the feasibility of funding and installing a new “intertie” connection with the Netarts Water District as an emergency preparedness measure.

Fire District Postpones Announcement of New Chief

The Netarts-Oceanside Fire District reports that a new Fire Chief has been chosen to succeed current Chief Tim Carpenter, who plans to retire in June. Due to unexpected developments at the District (unrelated to the new Chief), however, the District has postponed a formal announcement – probably until later this week. Stay tuned!

County Public Works Department Seeks TLT Grant to
Update Short Beach Wayside

Tillamook County Public Works Director Chris Laity has announced that his department has applied to the County Commissioners for a $75,000 Tourism Lodging Tax (TLT) grant to fund the design of safety improvements at the Short Beach Wayside. The proposed grant will be considered along with other agency funding proposals during the upcoming annual county budget hearings scheduled for May and June 2024. If granted, Laity indicates that he has already identified an additional $75,000 – $100,000 for actual construction. Laity described his plans during the Oceanside Action Partnership Trails Committee meeting this past Thursday.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

March 18 ONA Short Term Rental Cap Committee Meeting
Netarts Fire Hall – 7 p.m.
(For Teams link information, see article above)

April 1 Oceanside Community Club Monthly Potluck
Oceanside Community Hall – 6 p.m.

April 6 ONA Regular Membership Meeting
Oceanside Community Hall – 10-11:30 a.m.
Hybrid Meeting – live and remote attendance

And that’s the view from Oceanside!