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| A room with a view? |
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| Prineville resident Grover Palin presents city council with letter of demand, withdrawel of M37 claim, motel/restaurant development plan |
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It ain't over `til it's over for Prineville residents Grover and Edith Palin, and in their view, the only end to their Measure 37 property rights claim is development.
Despite the fact that the city of Prineville ruled against allowing the Palins to develop their acreage -- located on the undeveloped rimrock overlooking the city -- under Measure 37, Grover Palin entered the council chambers Tuesday night and confidently read a prepared statement.
"You seven people did a lot of things wrong," Palin said, citing the council members' acceptance of an appraisal made by city-appointed appraiser Steve Bucknum, who admitted he was likely on the wrong piece of property when he made his evaluation.
Palin then said he was going to "start over again" and presented a letter of demand to Mayor Mike Wendel, City Manager Robb Corbett, and City Attorney Carl Dutli.
"I'm not going to build a retirement home," Palin, 80, continued. "I'm not retiring."
He then briefly outlined his plan to build with a partner a "first class" diner and 12-unit motel atop the rimrock, with eight luxury homes below.
In his letter Palin states, "Any rules or regulations placed on this property by the City of Prineville will be in violation of Measure 37."
Grover and Edith Palin purchased the land in 1963. The couple began their Measure 37 process with the county, later transferring it to the city after the property was annexed.
The Crook County assessor's office has valued the land at $77,000. Though Palin said he has had it valued at $1.5 million.
The acreage Palin is referring to was included in his original Measure 37 claim.
"My initial reaction is once a decision has been made I don't think you can withdraw," said Carl Dutli, Prineville city attorney. "I think that is just common sense." He added that a problem with Measure 37 is its undefined nature.
"You cannot withdraw your claim just because you don't like the decision (made)," council member Chet Petersen added.
Dutli said he is unsure if a claimant may refile a Measure 37 claim to use a specific piece of property for a different purpose than the one for which the claim was originally filed.
"That is something we will need to review," he said. "We'll have to wait until the dust settles. [Palin's appearance] was interesting and unexpected."
Of Palin's decision to disregard the city council's decision Mayor Mike Wendel said,
"Mr. Palin made a choice. If that is what he wants to do, he can do that. My personal opinion: it's poor business."
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