For the families who were out having fun in the sun on Tuesday night, don’t worry: the Lewis County Planning Commission’s meeting is available to watch on the county’s YouTube page, and it’s only three hours and 39 minutes long.
The commission on Tuesday night voted to recommend the expansion of urban growth areas (UGAs) in Chehalis and Centralia while voting to reject another UGA expansion proposal in Chehalis.
The commission is an advisory group of volunteer citizens who review applications to change the county’s comprehensive plan before those proposals are forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). On Tuesday, the group voted to recommend adoption of UGA expansion plans for the City of Centralia, which would add privately-owned, unincorporated Lewis County property near Scheuber and Military Roads. The board also voted to recommend an expansion for the City of Chehalis which would add the Newaukum golf course to its UGA.
In the same meeting, they voted to reject a UGA expansion proposal for the City of Chehalis on the other side of Interstate 5, citing traffic as the primary concern, along with the site’s confluence with the Newaukum River floodplain.
“What’s interesting is the planning commissioners struggle with these. There are a lot of pros and cons,” said Lewis County Senior Long-Range Planner Mindy Brooks. “They have a lot of in-depth conversations because they’re listening to everybody.”
The commissioners Tuesday made their decisions on the matters after the public was allowed time to submit written testimony and provide in-person comment. All testimony submitted from the public, Brooks said, was opposing the expansions.
According to the Growth Management Act, cities must have enough room in their city limits and UGAs for 20 years of projected population growth, which is why they must look to expand their UGAs year-after-year. Typically, UGA expansions are suggested by the property owner.
Because the expansions, if approved, mean taking over unincorporated county land, they must be approved by the BOCC. The planning commission’s recommendations can be adopted or denied by the county after public hearing is again held for the BOCC on each of the changes, which would require amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan.
The cities of Chehalis and Centralia have already been discussing these expansions in council meetings in order to keep up with the expected growth of their populations. After an area is in the UGA, the city can annex it, meaning it can be brought into the city limits.
To watch planning commission meetings, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/LewisCountyWa.
