Oregon Public Broadcasting

Around 200 people packed into the Columbia River Gorge Commission hearing in Hood River Tuesday to comment on a proposed housing development for an old mill site near White Salmon. Pete Springer reports.

Most people who commented to the Gorge Commission were against the proposed development of the old Broughton Lumber Mill site.

Michael Lange is the conservation director of the Friends of the Columbia Gorge. 

He’s worried that if the commission approves the Broughton development, it will set a bad precedent.

Michael Lang: “Every other landowner and developer that has interest in the gorge will then point to the Broughton development and say, ‘they got 250 houses, I want the same thing’.”

Lang says he does want the site developed, but his group prefers a campground, rustic cabins, and a recreation based development rather than private condos and townhouses.

The site is currently zoned for “commercial recreation” and it’s next to a state park that is popular with wind surfers.