[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6185183,"mediaKeyId","5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966","parentId",5083025,"title","La Center Council adopts downtown and Timon Landing subarea plans after two-year process, 3-2","audioSeconds",2716,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",6316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966&start=3600&end=6316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185183/La-Center/Clark-County/Washington/La-Center-Council-adopts-downtown-and-Timon-Landing-subarea-plans-after-two-year-process-3-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185183-4e6cb1ad3c269c0b296af09ee7a16b5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139142&Signature=W86MCVN17UcHGROVF926KQWXnfP0xSNedpjjBrGlwzTsNJn3MYlEpxyoE5GlQLKkhb0Yw-VQQBe0pBf7lmmfSV9il-d0MxE8UVCjQt3YywNpE63zB-qaZoHAMFw6UgOTSWWp5fCD-KiFMgOkXC1FNcUWYus7LLCj9MBlnNbn8mQbFrAgx-jOIvqLW6oZ3HhI7CAOLWybiYm-3bHCcVbOpELyNSTVyYL7q0nF5x7yZH7C-4jokguBDMLF2IDMurVaEbW1EFCu8H1S5aY~g1KT~RWgGVB8rQmZkwR~5RfP69gUFntTKHizWXMUu9~i4cj8porz-E3n3ExCT~CtILKsaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","La Center, WA","date","2025-06-26T15:49:01Z","article","The La Center City Council on June 25 adopted ordinance 2025-03 to approve a pair of subarea plans for downtown and Timon Landing, a planned-action environmental review that establishes mitigation for future projects, and accompanying comprehensive-plan and municipal-code amendments. The ordinance passed on a 3-2 roll-call vote (Fox: yes; Casper: yes; Boyle: no; Leija: yes; Cervini: no).

The ordinance updates the city's comprehensive-plan map and development regulations to guide a 20-year buildout in the two subareas and creates new zoning tools and overlays intended to encourage mixed-use development, pedestrian orientation and infrastructure investments. City consultant Marty Snell, senior planner with WSP, described the effort as a planning tool rather than a mandate on private property owners: “This plan is not going to be the status quo…What this plan is, is a tool to think ahead,” he said, adding the documents aim to preserve La Center's character while expanding the tax base and identifying infrastructure needs.

Nut graf: The adopted package includes a planned action (an EIS-level review completed for the subareas) meant to streamline environmental review for future developments that conform to the plan and its mitigation measures. The council adopted the planning commission's amendment (the planning commission's option) to retain the existing cardroom overlay rules limiting cardrooms to established sites in the C-3 zone, rather than the staff's broader approach.

Key provisions and changes
- Planned action/EIS: The package includes environmental review meant to address significant adverse impacts in advance; future projects that align with the planned action will not require separate SEPA environmental review.
- Zoning and code changes: The plan adds a downtown mixed-use code for Sixth Street and west of Pacific Highway, creates a high-density residential zone (16''6 units per acre), revises medium-density residential rules (removes a 2.5-acre minimum project area), and adds two overlays: a Downtown Gateway overlay and a Timon Landing Gateway overlay. The staff presentation also proposed repealing a cardroom overlay; the council ultimately kept cardrooms limited to their C-3 locations per the planning commission amendment.
- Parks and open space: Code cleanup separates parks/open-space development standards from zoning sections and designates existing park-zoned land as urban public.

Public hearing and comments: Dozens of residents spoke at the public hearing. Several property owners in downtown and along the waterfront objected to specific reclassifications and overlays. Carolyn Defoe, who lives at 510 West Second Street, told the council she opposed reclassifying her property from residential professional to urban public with an open-space overlay and warned the change could make her parcel a \"stranded asset\": “Adding an open space overlay is redundant and unnecessarily burdensome…It essentially strips my land of development potential and market value,” she said. Her husband, Bobby Defoe, asked for clearer map boundaries for the urban-public overlay.

Council process and votes: Staff presented two adoption options: the staff-recommended red-line package (option 1) and the planning commission's blue-line recommendation (option 2). The planning commission's modification to keep the cardroom overlay limited to existing C-3 sites carried in the final ordinance. The clerk recorded the roll-call vote as Fox: yes; Casper: yes; Boyle: no; Leija: yes; Cervini: no.

Why it matters: The planned-action approach is intended to make future project review faster and more predictable by setting mitigation in advance, which could affect the pace and type of private development in downtown and Timon Landing. Residents raised concerns about notice, map precision, floodplain overlays and the practical effects of zoning changes on small-property owners.

Next steps and follow-up: Councilmembers and staff repeated offers to meet one-on-one with property owners who raised concerns to go over maps, density-transfer options and permit pathways. Tracy Coleman (city staff) said the city and the consultant incorporated two years of outreach into the final materials and that planning and zoning updates required by county and state planning processes remain subject to future refinements.

Ending: The adoption finalizes the city's preferred framework for the two subareas but preserves avenues for future map and code amendments; councilmembers and staff invited affected property owners to schedule meetings to review parcel-level impacts and mitigation options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 06 25 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The La Center City Council on June 25 adopted ordinance 2025-03 to approve downtown and Timon Landing subarea plans, a planned-action environmental review and associated comprehensive-plan and code updates, passing the ordinance on a 3-2 roll-call vote.","taxTitle","La Center, Clark County, Washington","taxId",73809,"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},6185168,"Commander outlines increased calls and a major domestic-violence response; council praises sheriff's recent work",423,2421000,2844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966&start=2421&end=2844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966/thumbnail_2421000.jpg","/articles/6185168/La-Center/Clark-County/Washington/Commander-outlines-increased-calls-and-a-major-domestic-violence-response-council-praises-sheriffs-recent-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185168-24a871376cfc945f6a0afcde706b2c9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139142&Signature=bN66HCnxq2bBTz2aczdc1ofpZOwOlOTZXMBw3w8fGNcGo2YZFwOAZl21sLO-PFqSw034GwN6z8tPUci9hTyatDc80bqiHcaf5qqjMPV25~VreyPASuor8cLOXto3NleZsEtehUo8uMazPVXPyN3JkmTnZxRlGVnrmPaAv8A5dEiLUwla4hJ-Cb7TRUoCjK5cOBQbLTAFZuttFG4n-f2IIGfhgS6l9miXcLsPa7KG~MbU6DazSAlezr13YX0sjD-aKi3-EAFvR9diQUQuC2fsZ6fTB~Eta0lSl37nz5tO1jX3L9xIo1ZjHgJKfmqdXEl8Lkqh2UDo-LyIMjc3ZNPXOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commander Phil Sample of the Clark County sheriff's office presented the department's monthly report at the June 25 meeting, noting a small increase in community-initiated and deputy-initiated calls for May 2025 and several time-intensive incidents.

Notable incidents described by the commander included a string of vehicle-related thefts (rear license-plate thefts and an automobile gas-tank puncture with an estimated repair cost of $1,800), an attempted catalytic-converter theft, and an elude incident in which deputies deployed a spike strip after a vehicle failed to stop and continued onto I-5; the driver was a younger operator who was later contacted by parents.

Sample also summarized a large domestic-violence call investigated on June 25 that involved allegations of assault, malicious mischief and felony harassment by a suspect with an extensive criminal history and outstanding warrants. Tactical units, armored vehicles and a UAS (drone) participated in a search of a residence; multiple search approaches including drone, canine and robot searches were negative and the suspect was not located at the time. \"Probable cause still exists for the arrest of the suspect for the crimes listed above,\" Sample said, and a BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) was active.

Statistics and enforcement: Commander Sample said May 2025 totals showed 116 community-initiated calls, 125 deputy-initiated calls and 241 total calls that month. He reported 27 traffic infractions and 10 criminal infractions in the month.

Public reaction: Several council members and residents praised the sheriff's office. Councilmember Fox and others thanked deputies for a visible presence and credited recent sheriff coverage with improved safety and responsiveness.

Ending: Sample said the department will continue investigations and that probable-cause allegations remain active; the sheriff's office will provide updates as arrests or evidence developments occur.","Commander Phil Sample reported slight increases in calls for service, described notable incidents (auto theft attempts, gas-tank puncture and an elude/spike-strip incident) and summarized a large domestic-violence call that required SWAT resources; council and residents praised sheriff's office for increased presence.",{"_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},6185173,"Residents press La Center council over notice, process and meeting timing during public hearing",5644,332000,5976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966&start=332&end=5976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966/thumbnail_332000.jpg","/articles/6185173/La-Center/Clark-County/Washington/Residents-press-La-Center-council-over-notice-process-and-meeting-timing-during-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185173-55402587e658a27589e25c7106528be2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139142&Signature=grJyQ4rC91xSsN-F-l3HtpRuQy7l28sN-qmuXFyqz4Bqch0Jz8a8XV5BgZcxtdH6QVGUmrFZCWW0Qr-g0ilWIBSm788G1Yc-tA5dbvN-B5DGWHb7pOdfcmabBbDgQZaItSL~T-p-97dbPfo1zwoqn9t3PXMPPJgsZhE9Ntd-CjXwfffsDzJ1Ic1LJaOVMM4gaghG3yUhAQtFt9KaVWEyO5BQ95S9ALmRW6ZO7a1VGFhhuB41MTZXMQWo~EgQgq0efDiDDEXoTbfHFEgEJFTZxNq~nwzkR70QWdx31JavV7ekAhuq8PLtRwu0dw4HfdyF-Pg-fZNjUtTi3MWTZViszQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 25 meeting dozens of residents voiced objections to the timing of the council meeting and to how notice was provided for the downtown and Timon Landing subarea planning process. Multiple speakers said they had not received clear, individualized notice of zoning changes that could affect their property and urged council to delay action or provide additional outreach.

Several residents said they felt the meeting was rushed and that council members' attendance at an out-of-town conference (the Association of Washington Cities conference at 3 Rivers in Kennewick, where several council members were meeting) gave the appearance of reduced local representation. Council and staff responded that the meeting was public, that three council members were attending the conference but available, and that two years of outreach had been conducted.

Attorney Janine (city legal staff) explained that the council's public-comment rules prohibit back-and-forth during the general public-comment period and that the public hearing on the Timon Landing/downtown subarea plans was the appropriate time for comments on that item. She said staff would collect contact information and follow up with individuals whose questions required staff responses.

Noted public concerns: Dennis Hill, a planning commissioner, said the planning commission had requested certified letters to all owners of parcels impacted by the plan and asked the council to confirm how many letters were mailed and how many were acknowledged. He said the planning commission believed additional direct notice was appropriate. Other commenters, including Carolyn and Bobby Defoe, asked for clearer parcel maps and objected to specific overlay zoning (urban public/open space) proposed for their properties.

Staff response and outreach history: Tracy Coleman told the council the subarea plan had been in process for two years and that the city had used multiple outreach channels including community advisory committees, focus groups, tabling events at city festivals, two open houses, online surveys (about 115 responses), notices mailed to property owners within 300 feet, the project website, and presentations to the planning commission. Coleman and other council members invited residents to schedule one-on-one meetings with staff to review parcel maps and concerns.

Why it matters: Property owners whose parcels are reclassified or overlaid told the council that confusion about notice and map clarity raises stakes for small owners who fear lost development rights or costs tied to new constraints. Several speakers asked for more time to review materials or for additional targeted mailings.

Ending: Council members said they would meet individually with concerned property owners and reminded residents that comprehensive-plan and code updates can be revised in the future; planning commission and staff also reiterated that the planning process had involved multiple opportunities for input over two years.","Dozens of residents used the public-comment and hearing periods to press the council about transparency, notice and timing after several council members attended an out-of-town conference; speakers asked for better direct notice and more time to review zoning changes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185178,"Council OKs $89,917 increase to WSP contract for comprehensive-plan work",290,3152000,3442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966&start=3152&end=3442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083025-353827705e68468862602d9199842966/thumbnail_3152000.jpg","/articles/6185178/La-Center/Clark-County/Washington/Council-OKs-89917-increase-to-WSP-contract-for-comprehensive-plan-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185178-1c371413e0da14ec95f0ee026f1afbe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139142&Signature=TyUEj~m0ivvJmd16Ts6sdE99JT55-r2i8tthlCFcYdA8QYxL4rMr2oNYWJKFRNZirk4vkF4cUsFm8fEshogxO2YFNh6fFS52grLtTCfKCe1zFUCSOBdQMLAx0HhlCacw4lWU5KdKT4XFaXsrW2VoiORUEMl20wMbtTNDMiZVS1dNuZW6tisBd0GSJ~nXwsj-5qw6MLGSIYlfz~I81GsLks6ah~-INPpiXpnOJGMT23I86iVH3tEco6ok8BK5~ZHku97DlXut9AeHvZFWEbJWlC5pZegslIBwDDdPUAOQMTpijoigYd-Ka2IMnK6x6GyFtQLg86zm63JWMCWaEWAB-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","La Center City Council approved a contract amendment on June 25 to increase the city's existing WSP contract for the comprehensive-plan and development-regulations periodic update by up to $89,917, bringing the contract total to $331,415. The amendment also includes approximately $9,600 set aside as a contingency (about 12 percent).

City staffer Tracy Coleman described the request as arising from greater-than-anticipated coordination and scope driven by Clark County land-use changes and additional tasks the county asked the city to complete. \"This amendment is requested due to the complexity and extensive nature of the city and county coordination and land use alternative process not anticipated,\" Coleman said during the presentation.

The addendum covers additional project management, land-use and housing update tasks and capital-facilities updates associated with the periodic update and the subarea planning process. Council members noted the extra time staff and consultants have spent attending county meetings and revising analyses.

Outcome: The council moved, seconded and approved the contract amendment during the meeting. The staff report showed the added budget line items and noted the city would continue to work with Clark County to resolve outstanding coordination items.

Why it matters: The addendum funds consultant work supporting the city's legally required comprehensive-plan update and timely coordination with Clark County and will affect the city's planning budget. Council members said they regret the additional cost but asserted the city must complete the work required by county and state processes.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to brief council on progress and recommended follow-up tasks to complete county coordination and finalize the comprehensive-plan periodic update.

","La Center authorized an $89,917 addendum to its WSP contract to cover additional county coordination and expanded scope on the comprehensive plan and development regulation periodic update; council approved the change after staff explained extra work stemming from Clark County coordination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

La Center Council adopts downtown and Timon Landing subarea plans after two-year process, 3-2

Commander outlines increased calls and a major domestic-violence response; council praises sheriff's recent work

Residents press La Center council over notice, process and meeting timing during public hearing

Council OKs $89,917 increase to WSP contract for comprehensive-plan work