County updates road and street design supplement to add Type D private road for small short plats

Cowlitz County commissioners approved an amendment and supplement to the county Road and Street Design standards to add a Type D private road definition that aligns with the recent short plat ordinance change allowing Building and Planning to approve certain private fire-access roads for up to four lots.

County Engineer Susan (presenting) described the motion item as "an amendment and a supplement to the private road section of the road and street design," added to follow up the short plat ordinance change and to update the definition of a Type C road to exclude the new Type D road. She said the changes are limited to definitions and standards needed to keep road standards and the short plat ordinance consistent.

Nut graf: The amendment complements the short plat ordinance change and clarifies the county's road classifications so small short-plats that will use Type D fire-apparatus roads are not simultaneously required to meet the higher Type C standard.

A motion to approve the supplement passed on a unanimous voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate procedure updates between Public Works and Building and Planning to implement the new classification.

Ending: Staff said the amendment is intended to be procedural and align county engineering standards with the newly adopted land-use approval pathway; further, more technical code changes could follow as staff and advisory committees continue work.