Cowlitz County plans public hearing on changing private‑road approvals for small short plats

Cowlitz County’s Building and Planning Department asked commissioners to hold a public hearing tomorrow on a proposal to let the department approve private roads and driveways for short subdivisions that create four lots or fewer (Type D roads).

Tracy Jackson, Building and Planning, and Adam Trimble, planning manager, told the board the change comes from a unanimous planning commission recommendation and is intended to reduce complexity and costs for small family developments. Under the proposal, the department would set standards so Type D private roads would be built to support emergency apparatus but would not be required to meet higher standards intended for roads that serve larger areas.

Jackson told the board that upgrades to a shared driveway can be more expensive than the small subdivision that prompts them, and the proposed change is meant for dead‑end accesses serving two to four properties. Trimble said the department would use current staff and contract technical expertise when needed; staff estimated the move would not increase building‑planning staffing needs for these limited scenarios. The department said four private‑road projects currently in process are types B or C and would not be affected.

“This proposal would give the Department of Building and Planning the ability to approve that road,” Jackson said, adding that the standard would ensure access is adequate for fire apparatus and emergency vehicles.

The board scheduled the public hearing and will accept testimony before deciding whether to adopt the ordinance amendment and the supplemental memo that adds Type D as a defined access category. No final action was taken at this meeting.