[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6276008,"mediaKeyId","2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f","parentId",2767283,"title","Resident offers public‑private tiny‑home proposal for county land; commissioners welcome discussion but raise concerns","audioSeconds",425,"startMs",491000,"endMs",916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f&start=491&end=916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f/thumbnail_491000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276008/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Resident-offers-publicprivate-tinyhome-proposal-for-county-land-commissioners-welcome-discussion-but-raise-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276008-38e6a50c37ba4efefb3cadaadfa3b651/orig.mp4?Expires=1775579857&Signature=EPlPyeJLU1rXiMbjGigc78TT3EDLYkear6GXeHi2dnLTuIDrDoYmO08kA8vhmwBFEO5-n4pFOGMgRepZprL8sCx4f51Eq9-jWr3I1dfO0HWmWKhtEDQrt4GfYz4qv8aQ2EwRBUce2092jaDf8F3853dc0GczRqiJOAhyNiF4axYDSnZprK-1ZZ9~6rOzFr6cIhw3PjHXCTdp9shfE3JRTabhFgbV4l-iDnDJF8siYRBgNSm4b8WU1A69QiB~gVpi6BIwV8mnkL3Gk-HOWMFsDaE2LMrxjZTWdq6wv0DLW4n~THPbM4Eker4VgjzoIyTIaM57ezN4g5CER6ANrj1TVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-03-26T00:35:39.127Z","article","During public comment at Tuesday’s Cowlitz County commissioners meeting, a resident proposed a public‑private partnership to develop tiny homes on county-owned land near the fairgrounds and asked the board to consider a formal workshop on the idea.

The resident (name not specified in the record) described a concept in which the county would provide roughly 4.5 acres on a 40‑year land‑lease note while the proposer would finance construction, limit profit margins and return the asset to the county at the end of the lease. The proposer said a local credit union had expressed willingness to lend and suggested funding might draw on residual developer or recorder fee revenues. He described proposed unit footprints of about 4,400 square feet with a community area and said rents would be fixed by cost rather than targeted to government rental‑assistance recipients.

Commissioners responded that they supported continued conversation about affordable housing. One commissioner invited the proposer to prepare a formal outline and a public workshop so residents could ask questions and staff could vet the plan. Another commissioner praised the idea but cautioned that such projects can deteriorate if not governed by clear rules and suggested strong guidelines would be needed.

A separate commissioner raised concern about binding the county to a 40‑year lease, saying such a long commitment could restrict future boards and that, instead, the county might consider selling unused property so the private sector could pursue development. The meeting record shows commissioners did not take action at the session but encouraged follow‑up: county staff indicated Kelly would be the contact to arrange next steps.

Why it matters: the proposal touches on county land use, affordable‑housing policy, and long‑term commitments of public property. Commissioners signaled willingness to explore the concept but emphasized the need for guidelines, clear ownership and careful review before any county commitment.

Next steps: The proposer said he would prepare a formal outline and follow up with county staff; a commissioner suggested scheduling a public workshop to discuss the concept in detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuesday Public Meeting - 03.25.2025","oneSentenceSummary","A member of the public proposed a public‑private partnership to develop tiny homes on roughly 4.5 acres near the fairgrounds. Commissioners expressed openness to a workshop but raised concerns about long leases, maintenance and county role in rental housing.","taxTitle","Cowlitz County, Washington","taxId",5122,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276012,"Cowlitz County proclamation marks April as Fair Housing Month; Lower Columbia Association of Realtors outlines public events",62,173000,235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f&start=173&end=235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f/thumbnail_173000.jpg","/articles/6276012/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-proclamation-marks-April-as-Fair-Housing-Month-Lower-Columbia-Association-of-Realtors-outlines-public-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276012-eda36804cbc5a3ec572f027a292685e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775579857&Signature=Vb2KpRNXOJyJGrr5c~XzQ0oYq-PtjUOq2U-TBtiGddypOz~A6-wlOomSREFeRQTNjmxoVtr~xMNMv-VoeXiDNiwa5Y1XCMrHxbDCEM5AInWT-mjE3mjncxSshHw1tHgb1Jn0-9xubwkd9n17o2PsMiTZxyCbVtq0K8CJvGJnkJsCCv3c5tch9Ov190WMLzPIAiCGLJSZoBSN-1IGMcyoJzOQmRKGmifH9KzkgCfh2engWTKzMpOTa9qFxO5GPhsRT234Nt6~xqTw2mEWK89Oa6eFtRVUPARwWBdfbKGu1BaEsz-9GkjMI31IUTq0kp6sgtJ7GVQiCsGrfrouEoNpbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County commissioners on Tuesday received a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Fair Housing Month and approved it during the meeting’s motions. The proclamation was read at the meeting by a representative of the Lower Columbia Association of Realtors.

Mike Wallen, government affairs director and fair housing chair for the Lower Columbia Association of Realtors, told the board the group represents property owners, realtors and affiliates in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Pacific counties and outlined activities the association is running this month. Wallen said the association is hosting a weekly book club at Magpie Books in Longview that is reading The Color of Law, which documents how government policies shaped residential segregation, and that the group will hold a free, public fair-housing forum on April 15, 2025.

Wallen said investigative reporter Bill Dedmon, author of the Long Island Divided series on redlining and steering practices, will speak at the April 15 forum. Wallen invited the public to attend the forum and thanked the board for proclaiming April Fair Housing Month in Cowlitz County.

Context: Fair Housing Month is observed nationally each April; local proclamations typically accompany community events and outreach. The association noted similar proclamations in neighboring counties and some cities.

Next steps: Wallen encouraged residents to attend the April 15 forum and weekly book-club sessions that the association has scheduled. The board’s approval of the proclamation formalizes the county’s recognition of the month.

Ending: County staff advised the board that no additional county funding was specified for the month’s events during the presentation.","County commissioners accepted a proclamation declaring April Fair Housing Month. Mike Wallen of the Lower Columbia Association of Realtors described a series of community events, including a public forum and a book club reading The Color of Law.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276017,"Cowlitz County commissioners approve consent agenda; set bids and award engineering contract for culvert work",51,289000,340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f&start=289&end=340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767283-db08f39a33d58b4fe67ccb5b1006950f/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6276017/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-set-bids-and-award-engineering-contract-for-culvert-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276017-39c58cd40135e74b305cffd5d2e1b131/orig.mp4?Expires=1775579857&Signature=oUkivymPgXdZDGy-RSA1z1jbxBn1o0LRP8HhRdNcLZQGeQmncvKwOeoMwvjZMGiSuUgmvwyd-sVD4J8ptTLu2H6kk2NFIAQiSVDiN0XwgoDikFR7F6MDcNGscWnwVe-vQNWG1HWT9pMcvkSJ5dOVNaR8G3Qqu3S5KJAAu3JSWhwYztEzYBQT9vXVYWIb5ac9rHsOSLJO6jR3TjgnBlaH8SGKt6przU0BslWpRz9aL41S6E7-S13c9G27C866pjbVOjDdCjYyTTHyd1Hm6CEJUfl2ptmytgrbhtMMvBw5Ocm3wpGc3f0FkXPikMLXM~dYNssUog7NR52bYL0XhG9eVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a consent agenda that included a call for bids for a culvert replacement project, a consultant services agreement for another culvert project, and ratification of multiple vouchers and district payments.

The board authorized a call for bids for the Garlock Road/Delameter Creek/Facet Creek fish-passage project to replace a concrete box culvert at mile post 0.72; the county set the bid opening for April 21, 2025. The board also approved a local-agency consultant agreement with PBS Engineering and Environmental to provide civil, structural, geotechnical, hydraulic and hydrologic engineering and environmental services for the Delameter Road culvert replacement project at a cost not to exceed $843,071.

The consent agenda included ratifications for Drainage Improvement District No. 1: payments totaling $3,709.42 for expenses incurred in December 2024 and $24,758.24 for expenses incurred in January 2025. Commissioners’ staff said vouchers presented with the consent agenda totalled $3,000,674,730.67.

Why it matters: culvert replacements and fish-passage work affect county roads, local fish habitat, and future maintenance budgets. The consultant agreement moves the Delameter Road project into detailed design and environmental review stages.

Board action: Commissioners voted to approve the consent agenda; meeting minutes and a proclamation presented earlier in the session were also approved by voice vote. The meeting record shows the board voiced “Aye” twice during roll-call-style confirmations. The agenda item that described the PBS Engineering agreement lists a not-to-exceed amount of $843,071; bidders for the Garlock Road project are scheduled to be accepted on April 21, 2025.

Background and details: County staff summarized the consent items for the board, which also received correspondence and notices including a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission notice about the Merwin Dam safety inspection report. The record shows the board ratified executed contracts and an affidavit of posting of the county resume for February 2025.

Next steps: The county will open bids on April 21, 2025, for the Garlock Road culvert replacement; the PBS Engineering agreement moves forward under the not-to-exceed cap. Any award of construction contracts will be brought to the board according to standard purchasing procedures.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting minutes (dates read aloud during the meeting): Passed by voice vote (two recorded “Aye” responses). Motion moved from the dais and seconded as read aloud in the record.

- Proclamation: April Fair Housing Month: Presented and approved by voice vote (two recorded “Aye” responses). The proclamation was read by a guest and formally moved for approval during the session.

- Consent agenda (including call for bids for Garlock Road/Delameter Creek/Facet Creek fish-passage project; consultant agreement with PBS Engineering and Environmental not to exceed $843,071; voucher and drainage district ratifications): Passed by voice vote (two recorded “Aye” responses).","The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda on Tuesday, advancing a culvert replacement project with a consultant contract capped at $843,071 and ratifying several vouchers and drainage district payments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident offers public‑private tiny‑home proposal for county land; commissioners welcome discussion but raise concerns

Cowlitz County proclamation marks April as Fair Housing Month; Lower Columbia Association of Realtors outlines public events

Cowlitz County commissioners approve consent agenda; set bids and award engineering contract for culvert work