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Commissioners reject current Ziply Fiber franchise request, say applicant must reapply
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Summary
County counsel told commissioners a changed franchisee and footprint undermine the advertised public hearing; the board voted to terminate the current application at the applicant's behest and require a new, clear filing before further consideration.
Cowlitz County commissioners voted to terminate the current public-franchising process for a proposed Ziply (transcript: "Zipley") Fiber telecommunications franchise after staff and legal counsel said the proposed franchise had been materially changed from what was advertised.
County legal counsel told the board that the application had shifted to a different corporate entity (Ziply/"Zipley" Fiber Pacific LLC) with a different geographic footprint, which cannot be substituted mid-hearing because the legislative process requires public notice and comment on the applicant and the proposal. Counsel recommended terminating the current process at the franchisee’s request and tabling consideration until the applicant submits a clear, consistent proposal.
A commissioner moved to reject the present request and require any future franchise application to be filed anew; the motion passed. The board did not approve a franchise in this meeting and directed staff to schedule a new hearing if and when a corrected and properly noticed application is filed.
The action preserves the public hearing record and ensures the county can accept public comment on the actual applicant and footprint before taking legislative action.
