The Washougal Metropolis Council has chosen a land use map that may play an integral function within the metropolis’s progress over the subsequent 20 years.
On April 14, the council accredited the adoption of the “Alternative 1” map, which largely maintains current zoning all through the town and assumes growth inside Washougal’s City Middle district might be 60 p.c residential and 40 p.c employment.
“This alternative promotes a mix of uses in the Town Center and along the waterfront, with emphasis on housing in these areas,” in response to a report by the town’s marketing consultant, DOWL, an engineering agency primarily based in Vancouver.
In keeping with the town’s decision, the council selected to not broaden the town’s adopted City Development Space as a result of the anticipated leap in inhabitants by way of 2045 might be accommodated throughout the current metropolis limits.
“We’re not expanding our boundaries,” Washougal Group Growth Director Mitch Kneipp stated earlier this yr. “We’re not looking to make big, huge land grabs.”
Washougal Mayor David Stuebe expressed his choice for the Various 1 map through the council’s workshop March 24.
“We’ve been investing in our downtown — in our library, in our community center, our downtown revitalization project,” Stuebe stated in March. “I really like Alternative 1 because (it focuses on) where we’ve been investing our money.”
On April 8, the Washougal Planning Fee voted unanimously in favor of the Various 1 map.
As a part of its strategic plan replace course of, the town developed two land use different plans. Every was designed to satisfy Washington State Development Administration Act necessities that present the town of Washougal should plan for progress over the subsequent 20 years that may accommodate an extra 6,724 residents, 3,735 new housing models, and between 2,100 and a pair of,500 new jobs. No less than 1,961 of the town’s future housing models should even be inexpensive for residents who earn lower than 80 p.c of the realm’s median revenue of $94,400.
Town’s up to date complete planning insurance policies, that are because of the state by the top of this yr, additionally should embody methods to create extra housing for lower- and middle-income earners, and meet a brand new state regulation permitting as much as two accent dwelling models per residential lot, in response to a metropolis employees report.
“The really interesting part is going to be how all those numbers are going to be achieved and what sorts of tools that the city can use to achieve them,” Councilor Michelle Wagner stated on the April 14 assembly. “It’s just getting interesting now, I’d say.”
A second map possibility often known as “Alternative 2,” which the council rejected, included zoning that was, in response to the DOWL report, “largely consistent with Alternative 1,” except for a portion of the town’s Northeast City Development Space, the place a mixed-use middle would have included medium-density single-family housing, multifamily housing and industrial zoning.
Group suggestions
Earlier than deciding between the 2 maps, metropolis leaders reached out to residents to gauge their choice, launching a survey in October that collected enter from 109 residents on points reminiscent of financial progress, housing and transportation; internet hosting a “Comprehensive Plan Carnival” on the Port of Camas-Washougal in November that drew 210 attendees; holding an open home in February on the Washougal Group Middle, which drew 82 attendees; and soliciting on-line feedback between Feb. 24 to March 12, which obtained 73 responses.
Town famous that 39 of the net contributors selected the Various 1 map, whereas 14 most well-liked Various 2 and 20 had no choice. Residents praised the Various 1 map for its give attention to progress in areas with current infrastructure and providers, plans to make the most of the town’s downtown and waterfront areas to create a “vibrant community hub,” and limitations on dense growth close to the town’s borders to assist protect Washougal’s “small-town feel.”
“I’m just really happy that we had significant turnout at the event at the community center, and that responses were taken into account,” Wagner stated. “The public really had a say in the choice.”
For extra details about the town’s complete plan replace, go to cityofwashougal.us/791/Onward-Complete-Plan-Replace.
