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Panel backs limited events at historic Camas home

By Ray Legendre
Published: August 3, 2011, 5:00pm

A contentious plan for a landmark Camas house to host small indoor and outdoor events moved one step closer to fruition this week.

The Camas Planning Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday night to recommend to the Camas City Council that the Farrell House be allowed to hold events such as outdoor weddings, tea parties and wine tastings. The vote of support comes with several provisions designed to allay residents’ concerns about how events would increase noise and traffic in their area.

The Camas City Council will vote on the commission’s recommendation at a yet to be determined date, said Phil Bourquin, the city’s community development director. The council is expected to set the date during a workshop Aug. 15.

The Farrell House, 416 N.E. Ione St., was built in 1913 by a well-to-do Camas department store owner and is listed on the Clark County Heritage Register. The distinctive Greek Revival-style home had belonged to the Farrell family prior to last year, when Heidi Curley purchased it.

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Curley submitted paperwork with the city seeking an unclassified use permit for Farrell House. The permit mentions her intention to hold backyard weddings with up to 100 people and luncheons and tea parties with as few as 10. Additional parking would be available at the Camas Friends Church, adjacent to Farrell House.

Curley also plans to live in the home with her three children.

The Camas Planning Commission recommended Curley limit “major events” between June and August, with no more than four per month. “Major events” include between 30 and 80 people. Outdoor events must be set up 24 hours in advance and not run past 9 p.m.

“I will take what they allow me and make something beautiful” Curley wrote Tuesday night on the Facebook group for Farrell House.

She did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday about the commission’s recommendations.

Neighbors unhappy

The commission’s provisions failed to satisfy Tom Martin, one of several vocal critics of Curley’s plans. Martin and his wife started the Facebook group “JUST SAY NO to Farrell House Event Center” in June. It is unclear whether the group still exists or not.

Martin questioned whether commission members listened to residents’ concerns. Commission members David Shepherd, Bryan Beel and Troy Hull voted to recommend Curley’s permit. Judy Hooper voted against the recommendation. Two other members were absent.

“I feel our voice should be heard,” Martin said. He added Curley was gracious in meeting with residents critical of her plan, but that has not changed their opposition.

“We’re satisfied in the sense she told us what it would be but it’s not anything we want in the neighborhood,” Martin said.

Karen Hall, owner of Camas Hotel and a member of the Downtown Camas Association, called the commission’s recommendation “a nice step.” She believes Curley’s plans for Farrell House would increase business for all Camas downtown vendors.

“They were trying to compromise as much as possible to keep the neighbors happy,” Hall said. “If it goes well in the first year they might be more liberal.”

Ray Legendre: 360-735-4517; www.twitter.com/col_smallcities; www.facebook.com/raylegend; ray.legendre@columbian.com.

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