The Clark County council unanimously adopted an ambitious plan Wednesday to begin implementing a new state law that its supporters say will bring hundreds or even thousands of high-quality jobs to the county.
During the last legislative session, lawmakers passed ESB 5517. The bill modified the Growth Management Act, the state’s overarching land-use law, allowing Clark County to enact regulations that would permit buildings and infrastructure to be developed along the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.
These new developments could be used for businesses that rely on short-line rail to manufacture, process, store or transport goods.
The county council had hoped to swiftly implement the bill, which went into effect Wednesday. But at a work session last month, county staff explained that the council would need to approve an amendment to the comprehensive plan, a document mandated by state law to guide growth. The process typically takes months if not a year and can only be done once annually.
Speaking after the meeting, Gordy Euler, a program manager in the Clark County Department of Community Planning, said that the county council is basically asking staff to complete the required amendment to the comprehensive plan by the end of 2017.
“It’s going to be tough to do. We don’t have a lot of time,” said Euler. He also noted that this is the first time that this sort of development has been allowed under the GMA. “There’s no manual for the best path forward. No one has ever done this,” he added.
He said the amendment to the comprehensive plan will create new policies allowing for freight-dependent development along the rail line and amend an accompanying map.
Euler said that county staff will meet with a subcommittee of the county’s Railroad Advisory Committee on Monday to get input. After that, he said, the county will forward the amendment to the state Department of Commerce, which has 60 days to review it.
While the department reviews the amendment, the county will also be getting public comment starting with an open house and public meeting hosted by Community Planning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 117th Ave.
The Clark County Planning Commission and county council will also provide opportunities for the public to weigh in.
“We’re trying to implement the rail bill and be mindful that the community has a stake in it, too,” council Chair Marc Boldt said before the meeting.
He explained that when the county updates its comprehensive plan, there will be public meetings during which someone can learn where industrial developments are planned. Boldt said that this process will give the public notice of where these developments may occur.
Euler said that the county will also draft policies on the new developments and define where freight-rail-dependent uses could be allowed.
“That’s going to be a continuing process into next year,” he said.
When asked when one of these developments might begin, Euler said he was unsure because there are still other issues that need to be resolved, such as what jurisdiction will provide them with services such as electric and water.
