Warming Center Moves Forward, Aug. 6

An appeal to the North Bend City Council of a Planning Commission denial to establish a “warming center” in the College Park Community Church on Newmark Street during extreme weather conditions was successful but with stipulations.  According to a news release from the City, A Hearing Officer recommended to approve the appeal for the applicant, Pastor Rich La Mar on behalf of the Church.  However, he also recommended conditions that the Council approved.  They include:  the applicant must develop an operations manual; operations can only commence when adequately staffed by trained Church member volunteers; An enclosed outside space will be provided; a sight-obscuring fence to the outside space; and, an up-to-date roster needs to be readily available each night “for fire department use.”  The City also imposed 28 other conditions ranging from required permits, governing regulations to occupancy numbers.