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La Center resident opposes rezoning and proposed river trail citing flood, safety and environmental concerns
Summary
A downtown property owner told the city council she opposes a proposed rezone of her property from Residential Professional to Urban Public and said a walking trail at the East Fork of the Lewis River poses flood, erosion, livestock-safety and habitat risks.
Carolyn Defoe, the owner of property at 510 West Second Street, told the La Center City Council on June 11 she strongly opposes a proposed zoning change for her parcel from Residential Professional (RP) to Urban Public (UP) and raised multiple concerns about a proposed walking trail near the East Fork of the Lewis River.
Defoe said the RP zoning made her property investment viable and that UP zoning ‘‘is far more restrictive and primarily designed for government and institutional uses, not private ownership.’’ She said the change would "limit property rights" and could reduce market interest and resale value. "I respectfully ask the council to leave my current zoning in place," Defoe said.
Defoe also said her property lies within a floodway fringe and that seasonal flooding, bank erosion and unstable ground conditions make it unsafe and impractical to construct a trail with an adequate buffer between the river and private property. She said the nearby boat launch already brings substantial traffic and that additional public access could increase trespass and cause safety incidents; she cited a past off‑leash dog attack that killed livestock.
On environmental grounds, Defoe asked for a comprehensive environmental impact statement addressing flood zones, habitat disruption, erosion potential and long‑term maintenance before the city advances a trail project. She urged the council to provide more transparency and direct engagement with affected property owners on zoning and trail planning.
City staff (Tracy Coleman) offered to have staff reach out and provide additional information; Mayor Pro Tem asked staff to share contact information and follow up. The council did not take a formal vote on the zoning change at this meeting; staff said the comprehensive plan and sub‑area proposals are in the final stage of a multi‑year process and that the comprehensive plan must go to Clark County for final approval.
