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more attractants for black bears, such as unsecured food and trash. Marion County campgrounds throughout the Santiam Canyon historically experience regular conflicts with black bears.” All other commenting agencies either did not respond or stated no objection to the proposal. 7. Conditional use applications in the rural zones require compliance with MCC 17.119.070: 17.119.070 Findings of the director, planning commission or hearings officer. Before granting a conditional use, the director, planning commission or hearings officer shall determine: A. That it has the power to grant the conditional use; The Planning Director has the power to grant conditional uses in the Public zone that comply with MCC 17.171.040. The criterion is met. B. That such conditional use, as described by the applicant, will be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zone; Establishing a campground in the rural Public zone is a conditional use per MCC 17.171.030: “When authorized under the procedure provided for conditional uses in this title, the following uses will be permitted in a P zone: E. Golf courses, public parks and playgrounds, recreational resorts and retreats, related camping and related commercial uses subject to MCC 17.171.040” The Elkhorn Valley Golf Course first opened as a nine-hole course in 1976 prior to land use planning. An additional nine holes were completed in 2000. Over the years it has changed hands, but the use of this property as a golf course continued up until the Beachie Creek fire in 2020. As a part of fire recovery planning, the property owner and manager prepose returning the course to nine holes and utilizing the other western nine for a campground. The area along North Fork Rd has long been a vital area for outdoor recreation in the Santiam Canyon and Marion County as a whole. The Little North Santiam area is populated with many public parks, campgrounds, hiking trails, and conservation areas including the Opal Creek Wilderness. The proposed campground is in harmony not only with the zone, but with the region and historic uses in the area. The criterion is met. C. That any condition imposed is necessary for the public health, safety or welfare, or to protect the health or safety of persons working or residing in the area, or for the protection of property or improvements in the neighborhood. The conditions imposed by this staff decision will ensure the safety of the persons working or utilizing the proposed campground, as well as adjacent properties and nearby residential uses. The applicant shall follow the requirements of Marion County Health for the necessary number of portable toilets and maintain adequate trash service to ensure waste is property disposed of. Marion County Septic has suggested that a bathroom and shower facility for this use will be of a size that requires Department of Environmental Quality approval. That permitting process will ensure the future septic system is properly sized and constructed. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has concerns about bear attraction that the applicant shall mitigate by ensuring that all trash cans are bear proof. The setbacks for campsites from waterbodies will ensure both the safety of campers and protection of the waterways. Requirements from Marion County Land Development, Engineering, and Permits will ensure that the access to the campground is properly sized for safe use that is not deleterious to any public right of way. The criterion is met. 8. The criteria in MCC 17.171.040 apply to the scale of a commercial use within the Public zone: