Hoodland CPO Update: February 2026

Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community members and provide a loud voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community.

At the February 19^th 7:00 p.m. CPO meeting, we are pleased to bring Gary Randall, photographer and historian, back on a Zoom Virtual Meeting with his Barlow Trail Memorabilia and Historic Tales of the pioneers of this region.   

The HCPO’s four main topics for 2026: 

April 2026. The Short-Term Rental Program The pilot program review and analysis by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners (BCC). The BCC is planning a Town Hall in Welches on April 1 in the evening at the Resort to have a conversation with local citizens about what changes to the rules and regulations will be required when the program moves from pilot program to permanent program. 

Please bring your best ideas, solid evidence, and your best community spirit to the town hall. The BCC is aware of the problems some areas have had since the Mt Hood corridor is one of the main tourist destinations in the county. We are all concerned, regardless of our proximity to problem short-term rentals, about what a high density of short-term rentals can do to a neighborhood.

As a tourist destination we are ill-prepared to handle the masses of people who appear here to ski or play golf or hike. When you realize the numbers of people who come and go as temporary residents, it is surprising to find how few support mechanisms and infrastructure are provided to support our community, to offset the impact of that large influx and outgo of people.

Ongoing, in the Hoodland Emergency Communication Network (HECN) we now have more than 71 members with radios. Please consider joining us at HECN. We will begin monthly meetings for members and everyone interested. There’s no need to buy a radio to join us; join us and learn, then decide if it’s for you.  If you want to join in, or simply learn about GMRS Radio please write to us at HECN.hoodlandcpo@gmail.com   Our web page is at www.mthoodwildfirepartnership.org/hecn  where we will list meeting locations, dates and times.

May 2026. Disaster and Evacuation Planning.  Along with the Clackamas Disaster Management Office and the Mt Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership, we are working to develop an understanding of the processes set in motion during an emergency. Clackamas County is planning an evacuation drill exercise, tentatively scheduled for May 6, 7 and 8. As we receive Information from Clackamas County, we will be putting information on Facebook and Next Door and sending e-mail notices to the members of our CPO. We are planning on organizing a CPO meeting to discuss the county's plan when it's firmed up. 

June 2026. The Welches Road Walk/Bike Path. We expect to hear from the County in June of 2026 and will conduct a meeting at that time. 

Please write to us –  we welcome your comments on any matter Hoodlandcpo@gmail.com