West Richland council approves preferred alternative for Lewis and Clark Ranch draft EIS

The West Richland City Council at its hybrid meeting approved a preferred alternative for the Lewis and Clark Ranch draft environmental impact statement (EIS), directing staff to use a hybrid plan based on the city's reasonable alternative as the basis for the final EIS and subsequent subarea plan and implementation.

The preferred alternative, presented by Casey Bradfield and summarized by Community Development Director Eric Minnenhall, modifies the city's reasonable alternative (alternative 3) to address recent market trends, evolving state habitat guidance and updated plans for transportation and utilities. Minnenhall and Bradfield told the council the recommendation reconfigures some light industrial areas, realigns park frontage along arterials and phases growth to match utility service basins and transportation improvements.

Bradfield said staff recommends "a hybrid preferred alternative based most closely on alternative 3," noting the adjustment was coordinated with the property owner and informed by public comments and the planning commission's review. The recommended Phase 1 area is roughly 770 acres and is the portion the city expects to accommodate most growth over the next 20 years.

Why it matters: The council's action sets the version of the plan that the final EIS…