Comp Plan Chapters - the Commission had reviewed the goals and policies for these chapters previously. Edits were mainly for syntax and to update language to meet statutory requirements

Chapter 4 - Environmental Element - The only discussion was around culvert removal (page 26). C. Harroun wanted to know if removal projects were prioritized to get the lowest hanging fruit. Staff said the language was suggested by the Fish and Wildlife Commission but the County could prioritize to make strategic use of limited funds.

Chapter 7 - Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element - biggest change was adding verbiage on the tree canopy coverage to meet state requirements. C. Harroun noted that the standard for acres of land acquisition for parks/openspaces was 10 acres/10,000 population. He wondered if that changed as “we densify” - in particular would less be required for high density housing. Staff said the ratio was a national standard and it would hold regardless of density.

Chapter 14 Climate Element - This chapter is all new as HB1181, passed in 2023, added climate change as an element to the comprehensive plan. The only addition the Commission had not seen was a recommendation from the Dept. of Commerce that set targets for reaching net zero for green house gas emission. Staff aligned the County with the State’s targets which is net zero by 2050. C. Fadness asked if there was a penalty if the targets are not met. Staff replied that it was a guiding policy. The County must report on progress every 5 years and Dept. of Commerce can tell local jurisdictions what they should be doing.

Agricultural Study Review - high level overview

The planning commission recommended an all resources study which the Council narrowed to an agricultural resources study. It was conducted in a very condensed time frame. Two open houses were held (comments posted on website) and the Agricultural Advisory Council met three times. The Advisory Council recommended not to designate any agricultural land unless an equal amount of land was designated agricultural. The report had found lots of land not designated agricultural that could be.

Land Use Comparison by Capacity - Commissioners saw the maps previously. The DEIS has comparisons for each jurisdiction. Overall, there is excess capacity for residential building. There is less capacity for employment. Overall there is capacity but it is not even among jurisdictions. The alternatives reflect no annexation, some annexation and finally approving all requests for annexation.

Charts comparing the alternatives by jurisdiction, capacity and surplus are here:

https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-12/alternative-comparison-by-capacity_employment.pdf - employment

https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-12/alternative-comparison-by-capacity_housing.pdf - housing

There will be a joint hearing with the Council on January 8, 2026 at 6:30pm on the Land Use Alternatives. Public testimony will be accepted.

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