The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) recently was informed that they are to receive $310,000 from the State of Oregon. The Oregon State Legislature recently approved this new funding.

These new funds will be used to help fund the DLWID second year of active vegetation management as well as ongoing algae monitoring services. Tina French, DLWID board president, recently commented to the News Guard that .“Lake vegetation management is our number one priority, especially considering our recent reduction in algae from the new aeration system. This new funding will help us accomplish our vegetation management plan. On behalf of the Board, thank you Representative David Gomberg for making this happen.”

This funding will support the District’s vegetation management plan for the 2022 recreational season. The plan will expand on the efforts made during the 2021 season which focused mainly on shoreline invasive species such as parrot feather. This year the District will initiate new lake protocols designed to better manage plant growth in the open water column. This effort will include extensive monitoring of vegetation by District staff via boat and by use of a professionally piloted drone allowing for detailed mapping of vegetation.

The primary focus of this effort will be in areas of high plant growth beyond the reach of most private docks. The complexities surrounding private docks limit the District’s ability to control surrounding vegetation. At this time, the homeowner may attempt some control methods directly off shore from their property. We will be publishing an article on those methods which could be used and those which should be avoided, in an upcoming issue.

Everything is set for another great holiday weekend.  We will complete the holiday weekend with our eighth annual boat parade.  Safety is the name of the game so please take a look at our boat parade safety plan and our fireworks safety plan to ensure your day is as safe as it is fun.  Here's the details.

Boat Parade
Date: Monday July 4th
Time: 4:00 PM

The Devils Lake Neighborhood Association board has decided to once again proceed with our annual fireworks display on Devils Lake.  The location of the display will be similar to the last two years as it maximized the viewing available from shore.  Please note that the display will not be visible from Regatta Park, but Brown Bear State Park and Sandpoint Park should prove to be good locations to enjoy the show.  

This is the time of year we ask for donations to fund our show.  This year we need to raise $16,000, follow this donation link or the button in the sidebar to contribute. It's never too early to help us meet our goal.

If you're thinking about spending money on a personal fireworks display consider donating to our professionally produced display instead. During the Lincoln City City Council’s regular meeting April 11, the council voted 5-2 to draft an ordinance that will temporarily ban the sale and use of personal fireworks this year and place an item on the November ballot to allow residents to vote on whether to make the ban permanent.  With this in mind you may find the safe and sane way to enjoy the Independence Day holiday is to enjoy the best fireworks show in town on Devils Lake.  

Mark your calendar. Fireworks Display Date: Sunday July 3rd Time: 9:30 PM (or Dusk)

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Division, announced their Spring in-person community presentations. The in-person community presentations are free to the public and do not require registration.

This article was updated 10/12/2021

So what’s the skinny on this election?  Supporters of Ballot Measure 21-203 are asking for a “Yes” vote which will ban all new STR’s from operating in Lincoln County, and will phase out existing STR’s over a five year period.   The opponents of the Ballot Measure are asking for a “No” vote which will let the County’s public process of review and revision continue resulting in revisions to the STR licensing regulations hopefully by year-end.  

The following is our best description of what will happen should the Ballot Measure succeed or should it fail.  This is an honest attempt to describe only what will change in the rules.  We have provided a link in each case to those who support each side so you can review their reasoning for the positions they have taken. 

Where do these rules apply

To begin, it is important to realize that this debate only impacts unincorporated portions of the County.  Each City in our County has their own STR rules therefore, all homes and current STR’s that are within the city limits of Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Toledo, Walport, and Yachats will not be affected by this election.  That said all registered voters in those cities will be allowed to vote on Ballot Measure 21-203.

If the “YES” vote prevails

The Board of Commissioners will be instructed to discontinue their current public process and abandon the current draft set of revisions specific to Short Term Rentals in Sections 4.405 to 4.460 of the Lincoln County Code. These rules by order of Ballot Measure 21-203 will be revised to reflect these specific changes.

• Effective on the date of adoption of the measure, no new STR licenses shall be issued in R-1-A, R-1 and R-2 zones in unincorporated Lincoln County.  As of September 2021, there were less than 55 known to exist outside of the restricted zones. (See Lincoln County STR Map)
• Phase out all STR’s contained in R-1-A, R-1 and R-2 zones over a five-year period.  As of September 2021, there were 477 licensed STR’s that will be phased out in these zones.
• Will override the HOA bylaws, CC&R and similar documents in planned community neighborhoods that explicitly allowed vacation rentals for all owners from inception.
• For STR’s during the transition period and STR’s outside of R-1-A, R-1, R-2 zones after the transition, impose an occupancy restriction of two people per bedroom, currently it is three people per bedroom plus two.
• For STR’s during the transition period and STR’s outside of R-1-A, R-1, R-2 zones after the transition, require a septic system evaluation by a state licensed inspector.
• For STR’s during the transition period and STR’s outside of R-1-A, R-1, R-2 zones after the transition, require off street parking for all STR association vehicles.
• Enact several changes to the current complaint process.

You can review the position of proponents of Ballot Measure 21-203 at 15neighborhoods.com.

If the “NO” vote prevails

The Board of Commissioners complete their current public process and enact revisions specific to Short Term Rentals in Sections 4.405 to 4.460 of the Lincoln County Code. The current proposal for rule changes was published by County Counsel on September 29, 2021.  This proposal includes these specific changes.

• Impose limits on the total number of STR’s in 5 regional areas based on percentages.  This would reduce the current number of STR permitted with some growth in areas East of Hwy 101 and some reduction through attrition in areas West of Hwy 101.  Will reduce current licenses by 35 and establish a lottery process for new applications that exceed the limit.
• Reduce the occupancy limit to two per bedroom plus two persons or alternatively impose limits resulting from the septic system review if applicable, whichever is less.  
• Require all existing STR’s to have On-Site Septic Systems inspected by a DEQ authorized professional and any deficiencies cured to continue as a STR’s, all new license applicants will require inspection as well.  Septic evaluations may result in lower occupancy rates for individual STR’s.
• Parking rules remain unchanged and currently requires one off street parking spot for each bedroom plus one additional parking spot. 
• Create a more robust complaint process adding an Administrative Hearing procedure to give the County more tools to address issues that may arise with individual STR’s.

You can find a complete record of Lincoln County’s process at this link Short Term Rental 2021 Workshops. 

You can review the opposition to Ballot Measure 21-203 at https://www.viaoregon.com and isupportoregoncoasttourism.com/.

Additional Quick Reference Resources

• Text of Ballot Measure 21-203
• Most Recent STR Licensing Language From Lincoln County
• Mapping of Current STR's, City Limits, and STR Restricted Zones under 21-203

The Devils Lake Neighborhood Association (DLNA) will continue its Float-In Brown Bag Concerts on Devils Lake. On the second Saturday evening in September we have booked a band to play a dinnertime concert in a new location off Sand Point. Once again the audience will be located in their boats on the lake anchored near our on shore venue.  Please note that the water depth is greater off Sand Point than previous concerts, plan on 12-18 feet of water when setting anchor.  This should be a great event so please come and celebrate the arrival of our fall season.  Watch our events page for more details.  Still to come...

Chicamarimba

September 11th 6:00pm-7:30pm

An eight woman marimba ensemble whose playing radiates with a love of music and deep friendship. Chicamarimba performs upbeat world music blending African and Latin American rhythms, as well as contemporary favorites for all ages to enjoy.

Take a peek at Chicamarimba

This is a pandemic friendly event

The pandemic will continue to be an issue to some degree, so spacing between the boats will allow for Social Distancing as required by local guidelines. There will be no opportunity to view this concert from the shore so find something that floats your boat and come to hear the great sounds from these three terrific acts.

A special thanks goes to our sponsors; Explore Lincoln City, Oregon Coast Today, Meredith Lodging, Whisler Construction, Devils Lake Water Improvement District, and Vacasa.  This would not be possible without their support.

Bring your crew, your anchor and your dinner as we continue our free summer series with Rowdy Mountain.  A throwback to the heyday of bluegrass music, Rowdy Mountain plays the raw, down from the mountain sound that gave bluegrass its wheels in the 50s, 60s and 70s. This event will be located at Horseshoe Bay which is located in the Northeast corner of Devils Lake.  (See Map Here)

WHEN
August 14, 2021 at 6pm - 7:30pm

WHERE
Horseshoe Bay
Devils Lake, Lincoln City Oregon

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Enjoy this recording of the live stream from the first ever Float-In Brown Bag Concert on Devils Lake. We started our series with the Beth Willis Rock Band and it was a great evening, enjoyed by all.  What a great way to get the summer rolling.  Or should we say "Rock an Rolling"? 

Thanks again to our partners Explore Lincoln City, Oregon Coast Today, North Lincoln Sanitary Service, Meredith Lodging, Whisler Construction,  Vacasa and the Devils Lake Water Improvement District, without them this would not have been possible.