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Developers urge Washington County to keep UGA acreage, favor 'industrial flex' over strict industrial zoning
Summary
Developers and property representatives told Washington County commissioners the draft 2040 comprehensive plan should not shrink the urban growth area and should retain an 'industrial flex' land-use category rather than a narrow industrial designation.
Rob Faree, representing Bowman Development, urged Washington County not to reduce the urban growth area in the 2040 comprehensive plan and to preserve flexible industrial land-use categories that accommodate a range of businesses. "Right now, the chapter shows a reduction of about 3,500 acres in the UGA. Why limit growth in a 20 plus year plan?" Faree said.
The main concern from Faree and other business representatives was a change in Chapter 14's land-use map that appears to replace the existing flexible "HI" (heavy industrial) designation with a narrower "industrial" use focused on manufacturing, processing and transportation. Faree said that would restrict the mix of uses now located in local business parks. "A strict interpretation of industrial would not allow this type of use," he said of mixed-business parks that include manufacturers, contractors, small warehouses and some commercial offices.
The developers recommended restoring an "industrial flex" category like the one in the county's 2002 comprehensive plan. Faree also praised staff work on the plan and asked that action items addressing housing and water be accelerated.
Why it matters: The urban growth area (UGA) and the county's future industrial land classifications shape where development can occur and what types of businesses can locate there. Changing the UGA size or narrowing allowable uses could affect existing business parks and developers' plans for new projects.
Supporting details: Faree pointed to land west of Hitachi and other business parks as examples where flexible zoning supports diverse employers. Other speakers at the hearing also asked that land with existing HI zoning retain commercial classification and stay inside the growth boundary.
Ending: Commissioners did not take a vote at the hearing; the comments were made during the public-comment portion of the 2040 comprehensive plan hearing.
