A Fairfield developer who won a planning and zoning court decision earlier this month against Camas County officials described the victory as a "landmark decision" that will help bring "smart growth" to Blaine County's mostly rural neighbor to the southwest.
George Martin, the owner of Martin Custom Homes in Fairfield, said a decision from 5th District Court Judge Robert J. Elgee is a blow against an entrenched political network that governs Camas County.
"Most people are afraid to speak up down here because of its good-ole-boy politics," Martin said.
Elgee's ruling, issued Dec. 3, is the latest development in a longstanding dispute between Martin and Camas County officials. The ruling struck down previously approved planning and zoning ordinances and effectively nullified rezoning of some 20,000 acres in various rural areas of the county, most of which are far removed from existing development.
The judge ruled that Camas County officials failed to properly document decisions regarding planning and zoning and failed to meet requirements for public hearings. He stated that some county officials had "acted with a conflict of interest" in rezoning the properties.
Martin alleged, and Elgee agreed, that rezoning of the areas was done without proper consideration of effects on the water table and the environment, and without consideration of fire, police, ambulance, road maintenance and other essential services to the affected areas.
"The problem with the whole deal is that they rezoned 20,000 acres with the stroke of a pen," Martin said. "What I want is quality development that will pay for itself."
Martin said he anticipates that county officials will appeal Elgee's decision. County Commissioners Ken Backstrom, Bill Davis and Ron Chapman could not be reached for comment.
Martin, who has lived in Camas County for seven years, explained that planning for expanded growth in the county started several years ago when real estate prices soared in Blaine County and many people who work in the Wood River Valley started looking south for more affordable property. Though the real estate markets in both counties are currently stagnant, Martin anticipates that that will not always be the case.
"Just because it isn't happening now, it will affect our future," he said. "This kind of zoning will kick in when our economy turns around."
