Observing Government

Planning Commission Workshop

Agenda and meeting materials: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/planning-commission-hearings-and-meeting-notes

Members Present:

Karl Johnson

Jack Harroun

Kyle Fadness

Mark Bergthold

Jeremy Baker

Eldon Wogen

Multi-Modal Level of Service (LOS) - the presentation focused on new transportation requirements which reflects a shift from vehicle movement to multi-modal movement. The County has to provide an assessment of active transportation facilities. Active transportation includes all forms of mobility, not just vehicle traffic. There must be a greater emphasis on safety and equitable consideration for all modes of transportation. There will be an assessment of the adequacy of the transportation system considering for example, sidewalks, bike laws, vehicle travel, etc.and a review of the current Local Service Standards. A possible rating system was shown that ranged from 1 (suitable for all people) to 4 (only highly confident people would use). Examples of how a particular street might be assessed and rated were given.

There was much discussion about how these standards would be put into practice. C. Harroun asked if that meant that 3 traffic lanes would be reduced to one to make room for bikes and pedestrians thus taking resources from the majority to accommodate the few. Oliver Orjiako explained that the specifics were not mandated in the law but in instances of conflict of resources preference would be given to the most vulnerable. The goal was to provide balance and safety. C. Harroun said traffic impact fees would go up for a “grabbag” of additional requirements. Staff explained that traffic impact fees had not gone up since 2022 and would need an adjustment due to inflation. Several commissioners continued to argue that the new requirements would raise the impact fees. Oliver Orijiako acknowledged that there would be costs involved to meet the requirement for multi-modal transportation options. They would provide safety and livability. He noted that which options are chosen will be determined by the community. He continued to stress that nothing was set in stone and the planning commission and the County Council would decide on the implementation.

Comp Plan Chapters - the Commission had seen these documents before

Community Framework Plan - adopted in 1993 - no changes

Economic Development Element - rewrite of the intro (changes highlighted in document). Added a reference to the climate change law to show the relationship to economic development. C. Harroun asked if the "superfluous language on climate change” would hamstring economic development. He thought the language about economic justice wasn’t well defined and he questioned how it related to economic justice. Legal Counsel Cook reminded C. Harroun that they had had this discussion before and there was a legal definition of economic justice.

Annexation Element - the Council would continue a dialogue with Vancouver re: the Urban Growth Area

Shoreline Master Program - recently updated - no changes

Oliver Orijiako noted that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)was out and the public had 60 days to comment. His staff was holding an open house every Thursday from 4-6 to provide education on the DEIS. He reminded them that there would also be an open house on the Agricultural Study at the Battle Ground Community Center on October 28th. He said the first one they held was well attended with about 80 people attending.