If the members of Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition didn't know their opinion wasn't welcome in a local land use matter - they know now.

For nearly two hours Thursday night, an overwhelming majority of a near standing-room-only crowd bombarded two leaders from the coastal environmental watchdog group with blistering criticism for the organization's role in stalling a 216-acre shoreline development project proposed in Barview.

“All these people came here tonight, they are sitting here tonight, took time out from a busy work day, to come here to tell you that maybe it is time you back off,” said Ingvar Doessing of Empire.

He addressed his comment to Oregon Shores' Executive Director, Sylvia Shaw, and the group's land use expert, Cameron LaFollette, both of whom shared a table with the developer of the proposed property, Robin Stevenot of Charleston.

Doessing was one of about 100 people who turned out for the gathering that was held in a meeting room at Southwestern Oregon Community College's Hales Center for the Performing Arts. The meeting was billed by Oregon Shores as a public forum concerning Bay Point Estates - a $115 million development proposed 21/2 years ago by Stevenot.

The project, mired in procedural land-use red tape and litigation since its inception, would convert the long-defunct pulp mill property off Cape Arago Highway into a new residential community with 170 single-family homes, boat moorings, businesses and a restored 700-foot-long dock.

Oregon Shores initially challenged the project - at first with the backing of 63 local residents - on the basis that Coos County officials should have denied a conditional-use permit for the project. The development plans, opponents said, included a miscalculated ratio that determines how much property should be set aside for water-dependent uses, such as boat repair facilities or fish processing plants, and how much should be designated for non-water dependent uses, like housing and car rental businesses.

In March 2005, the state's Land Use Board of Appeals told Stevenot the county miscalculated the ratio after it included land that wasn't developable.

After recalculating the ratio, with the high-priced assistance of numerous attorneys, Stevenot sought to resolve the debate with Oregon Shores in private mediation. At that time, she and her partners offered a settlement deal to Oregon Shores that would have included a 90-acre conservation easement.

While Oregon Shores agreed at first to mediation, the group ultimately turned down the settlement offer, which booted the decision back to LUBA. Oral arguments for the matter were held in late January and a decision from the three-member governor-appointed panel is expected by Feb. 22.

Oregon Shores called for Thursday's forum to get feedback on how the group, Stevenot and the community could all work together to solve the problem.

Monica Schreiber, an appellant, tried to convince the audience that Oregon Shore's challenge simply was part of the system of checks and balances in place to ensure adherence to land use laws.

“We are merely holding her accountable to state statutes,” she said. “That is what we are asking. We want water dependent-use in a water-precious area,” she said.

But the trickle of opponents in the room wasn't persuading anyone.

“This lady owns Sitka Dock and she has the right as a property owner to do what she wants to do with it,” Doessing said.

Several other audience members made similar comments and accused Oregon Shores of being obstructionists, elitists, interlopers, anti-development and anti-job - or all of the above. Proponents spoke of how the development would be the first step to cleaning up a seedy part of town and help bring much-needed jobs to the community.

But, Mark Wilson, another of the three remaining appellants, was skeptical that Bay Point Estates would supply the area with meaningful family-wage jobs, saying he would rather a true industry come to the area.

“If that is the kind of industry you want, the kind of jobs you want, that is not much of a future for Coos County,” he said.

But Henry Young, a man who identified himself as an ex-Coos Bay planning commission member, disagreed, saying a job's a job.

“Ladies and gentlemen, many years ago I was on minimum wage,” Young said. “And it is far better than not having any job at all. So I am all for this.”

As time passed, one man stood up and suggested a ship-breaking facility could be the alternative. Less and less was heard from Oregon Shores. Finally, one resident asked Shaw if Oregon Shores would withdraw its appeal after hearing an earful about what those in the room had to say.

“No,” Shaw said simply.

That prompted Wayne Young of Coos Bay to call for an impromptu straw poll. He asked everyone in favor of Stevenot's project to stand up.

All but a handful of the 100 or so gathered did so.

“Enough said, right?” someone in the crowd shouted.

The duo from Oregon Shores sat unmoved.

Shortly thereafter, Wilson said if LUBA sided with Stevenot in this upcoming round, he would withdraw his name from the list of appellants.

Nora Terwillliger of Coos Bay, who remained seated during the straw poll, said she believes in LUBA and would await a decision from that body. But, she said, “I will be willing to stand up in support of this development if that's LUBA's decision. But I'm not going to stand up until that time comes.”

It was clear from several comments made by Stevenot that she is unwilling to hang on to the property through the duration of a prolonged court battle.

“If I lose, I will choose (to sell to an) industry because I won't be able to afford this piece of land,” she said. “I will have to sell. That's a fact. So you will get either a recreational planned urban development or this man right here is going to be the new boss at the ship-breaking company. It's your choice.”

LaFollette would not say if Oregon Shores would continue to litigate the matter after LUBA's upcoming ruling. Audience members wondered aloud if that was the case, why did Oregon Shores call for a forum?

“We came here this evening to hear public opinion and you have clearly stated that the people in this room are in support of Robin's project,” Shaw said.

As the event drew to a close, Stevenot, clearly, indicated she felt as though the forum was further proof that while she has not won outright in court - she had won the court of public opinion.

“I needed this so much,” she told the crowd. “You have given me the strength to go on.”