Cowlitz County to pursue a 'light touch' update to its comprehensive plan, staff say
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Summary
Planning staff told commissioners they plan a 'light touch' comprehensive plan update due in June focused on housekeeping code changes, a critical areas ordinance contract on the consent calendar, a transportation element supplement, and public outreach across local governments and stakeholders.
Cowlitz County planning staff outlined a comprehensive plan update and several planning items scheduled for the next meetings.
Tracy Jackson and Adam Trimble told commissioners the update is a "light touch" due next June: it will check development codes, update maps where utility extensions have changed land use context, and include a focused review of the county's critical areas ordinance. Trimble said staff plan to work with the planning commission, local governments, ports and stakeholders, and that a consultant who completed previous updates is proposed to do the critical areas work; that contract (Facet Incorporated) appears on the consent calendar, and Trimble said it is 100% grant funded.
The update will also consider a transportation element and a county transportation plan supplement and identify publicly held lands that may be categorized as public or quasi'public to reflect their likely long'term status. Staff previewed a closed'record public hearing on the KT West subdivision (Payne Road in Castle Rock), where a proposal would convert a prior four'lot short plat into a long plat that requires county approval.
Tracy Jackson also requested a modest Wi'Fi booster for a building described as having weak coverage; she said the department is willing to contribute budget funds if needed. No final actions were taken Nov. 3; the items were previewed for the consent calendar and upcoming public hearings.
What happens next: the critical areas contractor award and the subdivision hearing will appear on the next meeting agenda for approval and final action.