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Clark County council schedules TDR/site-specific work session as residents urge caution on annexations

Clark County Council · January 15, 2026

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Summary

Council agreed to schedule a work session to review city requests to expand urban growth areas and to examine a transfer-of-development-rights (TDR) interlocal model after public commenters warned that some swaps and annexations could harm Mill Creek, local aquifers and agricultural land.

Public commenters urged the Clark County Council to scrutinize site-specific changes to the comprehensive plan and to prioritize environmental protections before permitting annexations or land swaps.

Wendy Cleveland, a resident, highlighted concerns about a proposed City of Battle Ground request involving Dollar's Corner and Meadowglade near Mill Creek, saying the area includes lowland streams and aquifer recharge features: “Once our resources are lost, they're lost forever.” Heidi Pozzo and other members of the public asked council to follow the Growth Management Act and ensure roads, sewer, stormwater, transit and other infrastructure are in place before approving higher densities.

Councilors debated whether to hold a countywide agricultural study or a site-specific work session. Several councilors supported a focused work session to review city-submitted parcels and an interlocal TDR proposal presented by Ridgefield. Members asked staff to prepare parcel-level GIS and satellite imagery, the ag-study criteria used to evaluate agricultural lands, and any city-provided proposals so council can evaluate discretionary criteria and the character of each parcel before decisions about de-designation or upzoning.

Staff confirmed that site-specific requests and an interactive map are posted online and that the ag study and issue papers are available. Council directed staff to bring a TDR-focused work session onto the agenda so the full council can review criteria, parcel details and city proposals before making decisions on site-specific UGA requests.

The work session will include staff presentations with parcel maps, aerial imagery and an explanation of which discretionary criteria (from the county ag study and applicable WAC/RCW) were or were not evaluated previously. No final land-use changes or votes occurred during the Jan. 14 meeting.