Rules for future UGA development by Port of Chehalis discussed as county considers changes

By Owen Sexton  / owen@chronline.com
Posted 1/13/25

During the Port of Chehalis commissioners’ first regular meeting of 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 9, Lewis County Community Development Director Mindy Brooks was on hand to review the rules for …

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Rules for future UGA development by Port of Chehalis discussed as county considers changes

Posted

During the Port of Chehalis commissioners’ first regular meeting of 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 9, Lewis County Community Development Director Mindy Brooks was on hand to review the rules for developing on land within Chehalis’ urban growth area (UGA) during a short presentation.

Currently, Lewis County staff are reviewing UGA development requirements to help streamline the process and ensure construction and permit applications are processed in a more timely manner.

“What likely is going to happen is that the county will be applying county zoning and development regulations to the urban growth area,” Brooks said, appearing virtually at the meeting on Zoom.

The Port of Chehalis already operates within the UGA, which is overseen through an interlocal agreement by both the City of Chehalis and Lewis County.

The interlocal agreement allows the City of Chehalis to still apply its own zoning and permitting requirements for developments, while also processing development permitting in partnership with the county.

While development within Chehalis’ UGA has been ongoing for years with the Port of Chehalis’ efforts, Brooks added the passage of Washington state Senate Bill 5290 — signed into law in 2023 — is the main reason why the county is considering changes.

“This bill required local jurisdictions, both cities and counties, to issue partial (fee) refunds when we do not meet deadlines for processing permit applications,” Brooks said.

Prior to SB 5290, developers looking to build in partnership with the Port of Chehalis within the UGA had to first apply with the City of Chehalis, which would then pass on construction and permitting applications to Lewis County staff for revisions.

County staff would then send the applications back to city staff for final approval.



“This has been a long-standing process, and it has had some hiccups over the years, but until recently, it hasn’t been a significant issue,” Brooks added. “... The current process, there’s no way, absolutely no way we’re gonna meet the (deadlines).”

With SB 5290 now requiring the partial fee refunds for missed deadlines, the county is looking to streamline the development application process.

In addition to Lewis County staff considering sticking to county zoning and development regulations for construction within the UGA, Brooks stated that, most likely, the county will forgo the city side of the application process entirely and have developers go straight to the county.

“It should not feel like a significant difference, but all (UGA) permitting will likely come through the county without the city’s involvement in that permitting,” Brooks said. “That conversation is happening right now, (but) decisions haven’t been made yet … Having only one jurisdiction be in charge of it should speed up the process.”

Port of Chehalis staff were invited to attend upcoming county discussions on the matter.