Woodland holds public hearing on comprehensive plan; council keeps growth projection unchanged

The City of Woodland held a public hearing Oct. 6 on Ordinance 1576, the city’s updated comprehensive plan, with Community Development Director Travis Goddard presenting the draft and responding to a written comment from Cowlitz County.

Goddard told the council the draft plan has been available on the city website for about two years and that the Planning Commission recommended adoption after minor edits. He said Cowlitz County raised concerns that Woodland should plan for more housing than the city’s current urban growth boundary and land supply would accommodate; Goddard said the draft aligns with the county’s current plan and the city must later update to remain in compliance when the county revises its plan next year.

The hearing focused on whether Woodland should plan for additional population beyond what the city’s existing limits and land supply can accommodate. Goddard said state deadlines and Department of Commerce rules limit the city’s ability to adopt a higher population projection now: “My goal is to get us over the goal line and into the end zone before the goalposts move,” he said, adding that the city is following the county’s current adopted numbers.

Councilmembers and members of the public pressed staff on how the city will meet future housing obligations if the county allocates more units. Goddard and other staff discussed potential tools, including increased residential density through accessory dwelling units and reduced lot sizes, streamlining permitting, and potential urban growth boundary expansion as a negotiated allotment with the county. He said changes to development regulations required by state revised code of Washington provisions will follow adoption: “A lot of the laws are going to require us to increase our densities,” he said.

When asked where the city might expand if required, staff said areas south of Horseshoe Lake looked most viable because of water and sewer infrastructure and easier routing for connections; staff emphasized annexation would still be a separate, applicant-driven process and council members would retain authority to approve or deny annexations.

After discussion the council indicated support for the draft’s direction without changing the growth projection. The hearing record and staff response to Cowlitz County’s letter will be posted to the city website. No ordinance vote to adopt the comprehensive plan was recorded during the Oct. 6 meeting; the item was the public hearing and discussion phase.

The council noted next steps: staff will return with code amendments within six months after adoption to meet state law requirements and will coordinate with the county as it updates its plan next year.