Planning commission approves rezoning for two lots at 3009 Columbia Heights Road

The Longview City Planning Commission on an oral voice vote approved a comprehensive plan amendment and zoning change for two parcels at 3009 Columbia Heights Road that will reclassify the sites from Neighborhood Commercial/Convenience to Low‑Density Residential (R‑1).

City planning staff told the commission the application from property owner Darren Crookshanks seeks to change two adjacent parcels — one developed with a single‑family house and one vacant lot — so the undeveloped lot can be used for single‑family housing consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. Staff recommended approval, saying the request complies with the City of Longview comprehensive plan goals and applicable approval criteria and would not have a substantial adverse impact on neighboring lands.

In presenting the case, planning staff noted the two parcels are two of six in a short triangular block zoned Neighborhood Commercial; only one parcel in that triangle is currently used commercially (a store to the south). Staff said the vacant parcel is unlikely to support a commercial use that would trigger the need for a traffic study and that utilities (city sewer and Beacon Hill water) are available for residential development. Staff also reported that a legal notice appeared in The Daily News on Feb. 19, an environmental checklist was reviewed and a determination of non‑significance was issued on Feb. 10, and that no public comments were received during the comment period prior to the hearing.

Applicant Darren Crookshanks told the commission he had owned the properties for about a year, that the vacant lot had been unused for “50 plus years,” and said, “I just was hoping to get it changed and make it a single dwelling residential pot and house.”

Commissioners asked whether only two of the six neighborhood commercial lots were included in the application; staff confirmed only the two parcels highlighted in the application are part of the rezone and said nearby parcels are separate ownership and not part of the request. Commissioners discussed nonconforming uses and rebuilding rules; staff said the city’s code includes nonconforming‑use standards that limit expansion and generally provide a limited rebuild window after a fire (staff referenced a one‑year rebuild timeframe). Staff also said the two subject parcels are relatively small and unlikely to accommodate a typical commercial building.

After closing the public hearing, a commissioner moved to approve the request. The commission voted by voice; the chair announced, “Motion carries.” The record does not contain a roll‑call tally; staff recorded the outcome as approved.

The application is listed in staff materials as Case PC‑2025‑1 (Darren Crookshanks comprehensive plan and zoning amendment). Staff recommended that the zoning map and comprehensive plan designation be amended to allow future residential development consistent with surrounding R‑1 uses.

The commission noted that the rezone addresses a local mismatch between existing neighborhood commercial zoning and the area’s largely residential character and that rezoning the two small parcels would create greater consistency with surrounding lots. The commission did not change staff’s recommended findings and directed no additional conditions at the hearing.

Planning staff signaled that related procedural comments from absent Commissioner Allison Moss were on the commissioners’ desks and could be addressed in follow‑up materials.

Action taken: approval of the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for the two parcels at 3009 Columbia Heights Road; passed by voice vote (exact counts not recorded).