A freight rail dependent use overlay along the railroad deeply concerns me. This “work around” for the regular process for rezoning excludes public outreach/input — perhaps its intention.
The railroad belongs to Clark County citizens and should be used — however, the public should have a voice in how it is used. Applying the overlay strips us of our voice in these decisions and leaves them to Eric Temple, who leased the operation from the county, and whose decisions to date have proven questionable at best. Just ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
I have concerns about the proximity of heavy industrial rail traffic near schools, damage to our watersheds, traffic and safety issues, and the cost in dollars to the citizens of Clark County.
Coexisting with the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad as it now operates — light industrial and agricultural zoning — has been successful for decades. Allowing heavy industrial traffic along the line would change this relationship dramatically without allowing our input, unlike a regular rezoning process.
I encourage the Clark County Council to work for its citizens rather than developers. Do not apply the freight rail dependent use overlay to open heavy industrial expansion. Instead, expand the light industrial use already in place.
