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Cowlitz BOCC hears public comment on housing and energy; staff updates behavioral-health talks with PeaceHealth
Summary
Public comment featured extended remarks from Larry Wood criticizing building codes, wind farms and state resource policy. County staff (Steve) reported that Emerald City negotiated with PeaceHealth for a behavioral-health facility but stepped back after community pushback; other nonprofit options may remain possible.
County commissioners heard a range of public comments and staff updates during the session. The meeting included an extended public-comment period in which Larry Wood criticized state building codes, questioned wind-farm impacts on hydroelectric operations, and urged local leaders to allow experimental housing projects for comparative testing.
Wood said he had begun producing videos about affordable housing and science. He recounted an account from a Bonneville-area worker saying wind farms cause dam operators to spill water, and he asserted that gross statewide electricity generation has not increased since wind development. He also said Washington building codes are "irrational" and described efforts he said he had made to build three model houses under different code eras that he believes he is legally blocked from conducting.
During the meeting, the chair gave an update about forest-practice buffer rules and said a House bill (referred to in the meeting as House Bill 2620) is intended to reverse a November rule change the chair characterized as taking private property. The chair asked the county’s legislative body whether it was tracking that bill.
A member of the public asked the board to contact a representative who abstained from a Forest Practices Board vote and raised concerns about hazardous-waste conditions near Moses Lake and Grand Coulee Dam.
On the behavioral-health facility, county staff member Steve said Emerald City had negotiated terms with PeaceHealth but decided to back away after feeling unwelcome following a prior meeting; Steve said PeaceHealth remains engaged elsewhere and that other providers may be options if the community demonstrates support.
Commissioners and members of the public discussed concerns about homelessness funding and nonprofit dynamics, with several speakers arguing that more money has not produced measurable reductions in homelessness and urging greater accountability, transparency and performance metrics for programs that receive public funds.
The meeting closed with an encouragement for citizens to ask questions about program results and for officials to seek metrics from service providers; the board adjourned after the session.
