Lewis County commissioners table Vader annexation after residents raise sewer and right-to-farm concerns

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners on June 16 voted to table ordinance 1378, a proposed interlocal annexation agreement with the city of Vader, and set the item for at-or-after 10:00 a.m. on July 7 with the option to reopen public testimony.

County staff had recommended authorizing the county manager to sign the interlocal agreement that would move portions of the unincorporated urban growth area (UGA) into Vader. Mindy Brook, director of Community Development, told the board the ILA follows state procedures under the Growth Management Act and that the city had followed notice requirements; she also noted the Cowitz Lewis Fire District declined to join the agreement. "The recommendation is that the county manager be authorized to sign the interlocal agreement for annexation as shown in Exhibit A," Brook said.

James Edgar, the city of Vader's planning consultant, said the annexation would help the city meet its long-term growth targets, add developable land and expand the tax base to support future infrastructure. Edgar said existing uses would generally be protected through Vader's legal nonconforming-use provisions and that there is no current requirement for existing residents with functioning wells or septic systems to hook up to city water or sewer unless systems fail or lots redevelop.

Residents and farmers urged the commissioners to delay. Jen, who farms at 1633 Winlock Vader Road, told the board the city and county have not shown a funded, written plan for sewer and water extensions, pump/lift analyses, or environmental review for crossing Olqua Creek and its wetlands and aquifers. "If services are not planned, funded, or environmentally reviewed, this is not responsible urban growth," she said, urging the board to remove west-of-creek parcels or require written plans before annexation.

Other speakers echoed those concerns, citing Washington's right-to-farm protections and the risk that urban code enforcement could make ordinary farm activities subject to fines or restrictions. Lyanna Horton cited state planning code and capital facilities requirements and said annexation should not impose urban regulation where urban services do not exist.

Commissioners discussed options, noting there are roughly 118 homes (nearly 200 parcels) in the affected UGA. Staff and the city said water already reaches many parcels but that sewer extension would be a substantial, longer-term undertaking requiring environmental and financing analyses. After discussion a commissioner moved to table the ordinance until July 7 with the ability to reopen public comment; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: the matter is scheduled for further consideration on July 7, 2026, when commissioners may request written responses from the city addressing residents' questions, reopen the hearing, or take other action. The county also noted UGA boundaries can be amended in future cycles if jurisdictions decide parcels should not be planned for urbanization.