The commission will also recommend expanding Battle Ground’s urban growth boundary by 80 acres for jobs, and La Center’s urban growth boundary by 17 acres for a new school.
Thursday’s decisions forward a hybrid of the four proposed alternatives to the Clark County council.
Alternative 1 would make no zoning changes. Alternative 2 would clean up errors in county maps and reduce the allowed parcel size of agriculture, forest and rural lots. Alternative 3 would expand the urban growth boundaries of Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield and Washougal. Alternative 4 would reduce the allowed parcel size of agriculture, forest and rural lots further than allowed in Alternative 2.
Though proponents of Alternative 4 say it will restore rights to rural landowners, opponents have said it could be in violation of the state Growth Management Act.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Chris Cook said changing minimum lot sizes under Alternative 2 could be “troublesome” in court.
“It sounds like you don’t think Alternatives 2 and 4 can be defended before a court,” planning commission Chairman Steve Morasch said to Cook.
“I see some potential issues,” Cook said, clarifying that she would defend both if she had to before a judge.
The planning commission’s recommendations, though they may point to what the county ultimately adopts, are not binding. The final decision rests with the Clark County council to pick a preferred alternative.
The council is tentatively scheduled to vote on a preferred alternative on Oct. 20.
