Proposed Round Lake Senior Living Center Hearing Set for Oct. 25

Camas, WA — Camas residents aren’t too thrilled about the City of Camas selling public lands to build a senior living center near Round Lake on Everett Road. Opponents of the development will hear details at a City of Camas Parks Board meeting, to be held this Wednesday, October 25 at Lacamas Lake Lodge.

The Parks Board will review the proposal, and may ask for additional input to continue the discussion, or they may settle on a recommendation and forward that to planning. Additional public hearings will be scheduled to discuss the matter and give citizens input.

The uproar began when Camas City Council members last week approved the first re-zoning step that would turn a 2.7-acre parcel of public land into a new development for seniors. Additional private lands would also be purchased. The proposed development is a 125,000 square-foot, 81-unit senior living center with underground parking, as well as a 48-bed memory care center.

The councilors were informed that city staff was approached by a developer who wants to purchase public lands to construct the facility. It was learned soon after that developer is Tim Hazen, who abruptly resigned from his city council seat last week.

Hazen is the owner of Premiere Senior Living

The city of Camas purchased the 5-acre open space from the Moose Lodge in 2002 for $200,000.

Citizens are concerned that once you lose an open space property, it will never be preserved for future generations.

“My thoughts are that the city shouldn’t be able to sell public land without the consent of its citizens since it IS public land,” said local resident, Liana Gulzow. “And the fact that Tim Hazen would benefit from this — and he was a former city council member — is just not sitting well with a lot of people. I’m concerned that this huge senior living facility is so close to Round Lake that it could affect the use of the trails that so many of us frequently use. And, not to mention the traffic situation.”

Camas residents have taken to social media to express their concerns, as well.

“Our city should not be selling public park land,” said Ammon Child. “Especially to a recently resigned city council member who clearly has been working on this behind the scenes!”

In order to re-zone, Camas leaders must hold a series of public meetings to change the parcel’s zoning, which is currently parks open space.

City Councilwoman Bonnie Carter said she thinks the city is setting a bad precedent.

“The only thing that was requested of the council was to direct staff to submit paperwork to the state to have the parcel of land considered for re-zoning,” said Carter. “This request was unusual because it did not first go through the normal channels of review before going to council, but it is legal. The rezoning request deadline to the state was last Wednesday, hence the unusual request. Mr. Hazen’s experience on council and city planning knowledge played into the timing.”

Carter assures that the project will still go through the appropriate channels starting with Wednesday’s meeting.

“Lack of information concerning the actual request of council and what will still happen has many folks upset,” said Carter. “And rightfully so.”

Hazen will present his proposal, and there will be an open process wherein citizens can express their opinions on the matter.

To learn more about this process, visit http://www.cityofcamas.us/businessdev/plancommission