County schedules public hearing for comprehensive plan map amendment near Castle Rock

Adam Trimble, planning manager for building and planning, asked commissioners to set a public hearing for a comprehensive-plan map amendment recommended by the planning commission affecting property north-northeast of Castle Rock along the Toutle River. "In this case, the applicant brought their project to the planning commission and the planning commission took a look at the area and decided that the logical change for this particular area would include a few more properties," Trimble said. Under the change being proposed, parcels designated "small holding" would be reclassified to "rural," which would reduce minimum lot sizes from five acres to two acres in the affected area and would allow certain property owners to subdivide; Trimble said the original applicant's property could be split into three lots if the amendment is approved. The planning commission’s recommendation includes adding nine additional properties to create a more consistent map designation; Trimble said property owners in the area are supportive. The board set the public hearing for Aug. 12; Trimble said the full recommendation, staff analysis and property owner notices will be presented then and that the planning commission and affected property owners will be invited to speak. Commissioners asked staff to provide maps and context for mineral resource lands and nearby development patterns before the hearing.