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History of HRVRC
How We Began
The Hood River Valley Residents Committee was formed in 1977 when a few residents gathered to discuss the county’s impending attempt to rezone the upper valley into one-acre home sites. Through grass-roots organizing and effort by local citizens, the proposal was rejected. HRVRC was formed.
Today, HRVRC represents 150 dues-paying member families and thousands more progressive Oregonians who want to see Hood River County grow sustainably. Ninety percent of our members are residents of Hood River County. They are a diverse group: pear and apple orchardists, organic farmers, accountants, teachers, lawyers, students, retirees and recreational enthusiasts. What they have in common is the desire to protect our resource land and promote livability by upholding Oregon's bold land use system.
History
1977 HRVRC is established when citizens organize to oppose a County Commission proposal to rezone the valley into 1-acre minimum lot sizes.
1980-82 Hood River County Planning Commission votes four to three to deny Mt. Hood Meadow’s request for a 450-unit destination resort adjacent to prime farm land after five years of work and untold citizen hours in research, testimony and a $22,000 legal bill.
1983 HRVRC releases a mixed-use report on the Port of Hood River documenting the opportunity for the area to become an extension of downtown.
1987 HRVRC testifies to the Port Commission in support of the City Urban Renewal Project.
1989 HRVRC supports the Von Lubken Family in their 'right to farm' appeal of the County's approval for building Indian Creek Golf Course.
1990-91 HRVRC Mount Hood Meadows unveils plans for a 500-unit destination resort complex at the ski area. HRVRC partnered with Friends of Mt. Hood and stopped this proposal.
1995 HRVRC sponsors a forum on the proposed Warm Springs Casino in Hood River.
2001-2006 HRVRC blows the whistle on a 620-acre land exchange by the County that would allow Meadow’s to propose a destination resort. In response to this latest challenge, HRVRC initiates the Cooper Spur Wild & Free Coalition with 15 other non-profit groups to protect the Crystal Springs watershed and the north side of Mount Hood. HRVRC, Mount Hood Meadows and Hood River County enter 18 months of mediation.
2006 HRVRC hires its first Executive Director, Jonathan Graca. Also in 2006, the Committee initiates a lawsuit in conjunction with CRAG Law Center challenging the state’s implementation of Measure 37. As a lead case in the fight for a fairly implemented Measure 37, a dozen other local land use organizations file under the same suit.
2007 HRVRC initiates its “new direction” by sponsoring four educational forums centered around land use planning and Measure 37. Over 300 people attend these forums. HRVRC works with the “Yes on Measure 49” campaign in Hood River County where all 13 precincts vote “yes” to fix the previously passed Measure 37. Hood River’s voter turnout of 65.2% was the highest in rural Oregon even though it had the highest density of Measure 37 claims in the state.
2008 HRVRC closely monitors the transition from Measure 37 to 49. As part of our new educational outreach, one hundred high school students were taken on a full-day field trip to look at Oregon’s land use system in action.
2009 HRVRC initiates bicycle advocacy initiative to promote safe and effective connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists. HRVRC and Port of Hood River collaboratively fund research project looking into bicycles safely crossing the HR Bridge.