Alford wins approval for East TD Subdivision near Hospital
The view from the subdivision looking down E. 21st Street. Concerns over traffic on this road during snowy conditions were also raised in the appeal.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., May 13, 2025 — The Dalles City Council denied an appeal and affirmed approval of a 29-unit subdivision in East The Dalles after a three-hour hearing on Monday, May 12.
It was the second time the subdivision being sought by Jason Alford has been reaffirmed in a month as The Dalles Planning Commission also came to the same conclusion on April 17.
In his application, Alford proposes to build the subdivision in two phases. The first section of 3.33 acres will be split into 14 lots on a loop road that provides access to homes built on the plateau.
Location of the Alford Subdivision and how the lots layout east of 21st Street.
An additional 15 lots will become available later in the second phase on another 3.91 acres which lies to the east and will be annexed into the city.
Alford estimated that the entire project could take 5 years to complete.
Monday night’s decision comes as The Dalles is facing a “severe housing shortage,” said Mary Hanlon who is spearheading a 114-apartment building on East Third Street. “We’re not keeping up with the housing needs as the population grows.” Hanlon has said in past meetings that The Dalles needs to add 500 units of housing to meet current demand.
City Councilor Dan Richardson said he understood the neighbor's concerns given the steep terrain in which the subdivision will be built off of East 21st Street near Adventist Hospital.
“It’s clear we don't have legal grounds or authority to deny the subdivision that has gone through the code process,” he said before the vote, noting to do otherwise would invite the city into a “legal hazard.”
Councilor Ben Wring and Mayor Rich Mays also thanked the appellants for their civil and thorough testimony. Wring said he was confident in the City’s Planning and Public Works department to address issues regarding storm water run off and slope stability.
“I hope all parties - neighbors and Alford - continue to have discourse and collaborate,” Ring Added.
Earlier in the meeting, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue Fire Marshall Chris Grant said the subdivision was following codes requiring turnaround for fire vehicles.
Theodore Valkov who owns a home near the proposed subdivision submitted the appeal and 23 neighbors signed a petition stating they were against the subdivision being built as proposed.
This portion of the property overlooking The Dalles Dam will be developed in the first phase of the project.
Several weeks ago, Alford said work on the subdivision could start sometime this summer.
“The development as proposed … creates significant hazards to current residents of the community, to future residents of the development, and to their guests. These hazards include, but are not limited to, loss of life, injury and loss of property due to fire, ground movement, vehicular accidents, and limitations to access,” Valkov wrote in his initial comments in the planning appeal.
“These hazards arise primarily from the poor manner in which the proposed development is currently conceived. They are substantial in scope, affecting not only dozens of homes in the area, but also public infrastructure. Said defects in the proposed development also interfere with the right of quiet enjoyment of current and future property owners in the area. This is not a trivial matter. Given the number of people affected and the nature of interference, the net effect is a substantial material and psychological detriment to the community.”
