West Richland staff recommend 'reasonable alternative' hybrid for Lewis and Clark Ranch EIS, propose moving light industrial out of Phase 1

At a joint session of the West Richland City Council and the Planning Commission, consultants and city staff recommended adopting a hybrid version of the city’s “reasonable alternative” as the preferred alternative for the Lewis and Clark Ranch planned-action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and subarea plan. The presentation said the hybrid would shift light industrial uses out of the area expected to develop first, allocate land for schools and emergency services, and refine transportation and park design.

Consultant Casey Bradfield of Burke told the council and commissioners, “Our recommendation for the preferred alternative … is to use the city's reasonable alternative as a starting point.” She said the team developed the recommendation in coordination with city staff and the project applicant. The project area was described as roughly 7,500 acres inside city limits; the presenter and others referenced different figures for Phase 1 during discussion and the acreage for Phase 1 was not definitively settled in the meeting.

Why it matters: the preferred alternative chosen by the city will form the basis of the final EIS and the implementing subarea plan, which together shape zoning, infrastructure phasing and the planned-action ordinance that can streamline future permits if projects fall within the studied envelope.

Key elements presented - Land use: Bradfield said the recommendation moves light industrial uses out…