Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Grove Airfield topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council member supports inclusion of Nevin and Merritt, urges caution on Grove Airfield and calls for diversified housing
Summary
During council comments, a council member supported including Nevin and Merritt in the draft preferred land-use alternative, expressed concerns about a proposed Grove Airfield location within the urban growth area and recommended pursuing diversified housing rather than only 'affordable housing.'
March 3, 2025 — In council comments Monday, a council member said she supports including the Nevin and Merritt areas in the city's draft preferred land-use alternative but urged more study and community outreach regarding a proposed Grove Airfield site that lies within the urban growth area.
"I do support the Nevin and Merritt inclusion," the council member said. She added that Grove Airfield’s proposed location "given its location proposed location, within the UGA," warrants more citizen engagement to assess impacts on nearby residents and infrastructure needs, including how the Port of Camas-Washougal might be involved. The council member referenced a public meeting hosted by the port about a year earlier that drew many Fern Prairie residents.
She also recommended the council frame future housing work around "diversified housing" rather than relying on the more ambiguous term "affordable housing," saying diversified housing better reflects resident requests across age groups and aligns with the Camas 2045 vision and strategic planning work. She asked the council to consider building-height standards to avoid requiring larger ladder trucks for fire protection if taller buildings are permitted.
The council member asked staff and fellow council members to balance the state’s direction on land-use and density with local community character: "let the citizens of Camas and the land dictate the use and not top down metrics," she said. She urged more time and engagement to work out details before formal decisions.
Why it matters: The comments address ongoing land-use planning steps that could affect where and how new housing and infrastructure are sited in Camas, including the possible location of an airfield, relationships with regional port authorities, and building standards that affect emergency services.
What wasn’t decided: The council did not take a formal vote on the draft preferred alternative, on Grove Airfield, or on specific zoning or height changes at the March 3 meeting. The comments reflect the council member’s position and a request for further study and community outreach rather than final decisions.
