La Center planning consultants outline Timmins Landing, downtown subarea plans; EIS scoping open through Jan. 28

Alec, a WSP consultant, told the La Center Planning Commission that work on two subarea plans — Timmins Landing and downtown La Center — has progressed to drafting an environmental impact statement (EIS) and supporting technical memorandums.

The EIS is in a scoping period that staff said will accept public comment through Jan. 28, and an open house is scheduled for Jan. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at La Center City Hall. “The EIS scoping comment period goes through January 28th, and staff will be fielding comments during the open house tomorrow,” Alec said.

Why this matters: the subarea plans are the city’s planning-level guide to where higher-density housing and commercial uses may be supported. The EIS will evaluate the no-action baseline (existing zoning) against a project alternative that would implement the conceptual plans; its findings will shape mitigation measures required for transportation, utilities and stormwater as development proceeds.

Alec emphasized that the maps currently before the commission are conceptual and are not final zoning or development approvals. “These plans are conceptual. These aren't final zoning plans or development plans,” he said, adding the documents are intended to frame later zoning and code updates.

Community outreach: WSP reported more than a year of public and stakeholder input, captured through four community advisory committee meetings, four focus groups, two open houses (one last March and the second the night after the meeting), online surveys and multiple engagement events. Staff said they incorporated earlier commissioner suggestions into the outreach summary and other background reports.

Transportation: A preliminary transportation analysis found most new trips generated by the subarea plans would use La Center Road (from I‑5) and 4th Street, and identified two intersections likely to see worsened operations: 4th Street & Aspen and La Center Road in the Timmins Landing area. The transportation memorandum will guide the more detailed traffic analysis in the EIS and recommend mitigation measures for affected intersections.

Water, sewer and stormwater: WSP’s facilities memorandum recommended several near-term policy and planning steps. For water, staff recommended completing a fire-flow analysis and considering formal fire-flow requirements for development approvals. For sewer, the memorandum recommended adoption of a formal sewer master plan that already accounts for the subarea plans. For stormwater, WSP recommended completing and adopting a citywide stormwater master plan and clarifying maintenance responsibilities for private stormwater facilities and any city agreements that allow private owners to operate non-city infrastructure.

Property status and signage: Commissioners asked whether a “for sale” sign at the Timmins Landing corner was placed by the city or by owners; staff confirmed it was posted by the property owner and that the owner has a contract with a developer.

Next steps and schedule: WSP will draft the EIS and the subarea planning documents. Staff said they expect final adoption of subarea plans in spring, contingent on completing the EIS and responding to public comments during scoping and the open house.

No formal action was taken on the subarea plans at this meeting; staff sought commissioner feedback on the three background memorandums (community outreach summary, facilities memorandum and transportation memorandum) to inform final drafting.