Franklin County migrant housing help in works

BASIN CITY -- A housing facility for seasonal farmworkers proposed southwest of Basin City is getting closer to reality, but some neighbors are wary of the project.

The Franklin County Farm Bureau recently bought 10 acres just north of the Road 170 and Ringold Road intersection from the Bureau of Reclamation for the 100-bed project.

It will serve seasonal workers such as those who come for cherry harvest. In the past, many of those workers have camped on state land at Ringold, where there have been conflicts with fishermen and problems with waste disposal.

The state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is in the second phase of reviewing an application for funding and preliminary project design is completed, said project organizers.

"One of the main things that our particular housing will help is your small orchardist, small growers that ... only need laborers for a week or two, and can't afford to justify building the facilities for them," said Dave Manterola, a Franklin County Farm Bureau board member. "We've been going to meetings on it to try to solve the housing situation for about five years."

A group formed about four years ago to help address the need for more sanitary housing for workers who have been camping at the Ringold Campground.

Farm Bureau members have participated in meetings of the Ringold Workgroup, which also includes representatives from Benton and Franklin counties, state and local governments, housing authorities and the agricultural industry.

"Everybody came together and decided this was the best solution we could come up with," Manterola said.

But neighboring landowner Ben Casper said he's worried about the project causing an increase in theft and vandalism, both of which he's dealt with for years.

"Crime is the biggest issue," he said.

He also said the project should be in more of a residential area and believes larger growers should build housing on their own property.

Casper said he and other neighbors received notice April 24 from the Franklin County Planning Department about the project, giving information about the location and the county's involvement.

Franklin County Commissioner Rick Miller said he understands the concerns, but he also said housing for farmworkers is necessary because agriculture is so important to the county.

"We are supportive of migrant housing in the county," Miller said.

Because the project is for temporary farmworkers and would be in a rural area, it's exempt from county zoning rules and doesn't require a public hearing, said David Spurlock, housing development specialist for the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing, a nonprofit housing developer and consultant.

That means commissioners have a say only over factors such as access to the housing and the height, Miller said.

But those involved with the project said they want to work with neighbors to make sure the project is acceptable to all parties.

"We want to be open and honest. We're not trying to hide anything," said Spurlock.

Manterola said the Farm Bureau is setting up a meeting Friday for people to ask questions and discuss concerns. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Basin City fire hall.

"If everybody hears how it's supposed to be working, they're going to feel a lot better about the project," he said.

Ramona Rommereim, secretary for the Franklin County Farm Bureau board, used to own cherry and apple orchards in Douglas County and said the only problems with crime were when workers weren't employed.

Manterola also said the facility won't bring more workers into the area because they're already there, and he believes people who have a place to live will be less likely to get into trouble.

The housing complex, which is composed of duplexes, would have an on-site manager and lease agreements, Spurlock said.

"We have the concept and the documentation," he said, "but it's not set in stone. If we get input from the neighborhood that they want to see different landscaping or something, those things can be worked on.

"We're definitely willing to meet with people and take their input," as long as it stays within Department of Health standards, he said.

The Farm Bureau plans to lease the housing development to the nonprofit Washington Farm Labor Association to manage.

The project is waiting on a decision about funding, which likely will be in early June although a firm timetable has not been set, said Janet Abbett, manager of CTED's Farmworker Housing Program.

"The hope is to have it ready for next year," Rommereim said.

In the meantime, Farm Bureau members have worked with the Bureau of Reclamation and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide garbage service and toilet facilities at the Ringold Campground, he said.

But a more permanent facility will help ensure farmers have enough workers, Rommereim said.

"The majority of American people don't understand getting food to the grocery store," Rommereim said. "Without a healthy working population, we can't bring the crop to market."

w Ingrid Stegemoeller: 582-1537; istegemoeller@tricityherald.com; Business Beat blog at www.tricity herald.com