Planning Commission/Council joint public hearing is tonight. Discussion of the staff recommendations (see Preferred alternative selection table). Howsley will be there representing a client. Les MacDonald (Clark regional wastewater district) will be there watching.
Eric Golemo stating that he doesn’t think not growing the UGA is right and plans to testify as a private citizen/developer. Character, housing affordability. Howsley chimes in to agree. Howsley on the cost of infrastructure improvements needed for increased density. Les MacDonald notes that they are finding existing infrastructure (on the sewer side) is sufficient. Also, most new development is happening in the Vancouver urban holding area (around 179^th st and I-5), which is all new. Someone asks if DEAB will take a position at tonight’s meeting as a group. It’s a little late to do that now.
Sherrie Jones notes worry about employment numbers – where are all these people gonna work? Les explains how to read the doc, she’d misread it, but still there isn’t enough land for jobs available. Notes that CREDC’s position is ‘we need more land’.
DEAB will watch what happens and if process is still going will develop a position at February meeting. Leaning towards Alt 2 plus more jobs land including larger parcels. Howsley notes that the final preferred alternative will be a hybrid.
Discussion of the Ag Study and ability to de-designate. Eric – if you can do ag on 90% of the county, what needs protecting? Talk about land that can only be hayed.
Will ask Jamie and Eric to report back, and ‘we all regroup by email and develop a formal position by email and submit’.

Ag Study discussion:

The study looked at soil type, size and tax status. Found almost the entire county is capable of being farmed. Ignored availability of water rights. Growing hay to get a tax exemption. Study “is in the eye of the beholder”. Los of discussion of chart on page 37. Les noted that at prior day council meeting they discussed designating some rural lands to ag as per the study.

Work Plan:

PIF credits for private park development, asking parks guy (Dan?) to come in to discuss. DEAB wants to be an active part of this process.
Road mods discussion. Code should be goals and intent vs. numerical standard.
No date yet for presenting to Council. Want an hour, open discussion, looking for guidance.

County is getting a new director of Community Development. April Furth helping till new person onboarded. (April left the county so that is interesting).

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