- Can the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map designation on my property be changed?
- Where a zone change must be subject to approval of a Comprehensive Plan Map designation, what is the timeline for reviewing my request to change the Comprehensive Plan designation and zoning of my property?
- Can the Urban Growth Boundary be moved to include my property?
- When are School Impact Fees paid?
- If I have a historical property, what are the advantages of placing it on the Historic Register?
- What is going to happen to the road in front of my house?
- Why do roads cost so much to improve?
- What is a Transportation Impact Fee and who pays it?
- How does Clark County know what roadways will be needed in the future?
- Does the county Planning Commission deal with development applications?
- How can I influence the Community Planning Department work program?
- How can I get involved in helping plan for the future of Clark County?
- How can I be informed about upcoming topics on the Planning Commission?
1. Can the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map designation on my property be changed?
Possibly. The county has established criteria and guidelines to follow in processing these types of requests. Zone changes that also require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Map are processed an annual reviews. By state law, the county accepts applications for such requests once a year. Based on the amendment criteria in the Comprehensive Plan, these types of changes are generally difficult to justify by the property owner and difficult for the county to approve unless an error was made in the original decision to designate the property the way it is. See 2 below.
Rezoning of property that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan can be applied for at any time. The Plan has a “matrix” of zones which may be appropriate within a particular Comprehensive Plan Map designation. If that is the situation, the applicant can apply for a pre-application conference and a subsequent rezone application which will be subject to a hearing before the Clark County hearings examiner.
2. Where a zone change must be subject to approval of a Comprehensive Plan Map designation, what is the timeline for reviewing my request to change the Comprehensive Plan designation and zoning of my property?
The county places a notice in the Columbian newspaper before the month of October advising property owners that the county will be accepting requests for pre-application conferences which is a prerequisite to applying for Plan and Zoning Map changes.
- Applicants submit pre-application requests:
October 1 - November 30 - County staff and applicants complete pre-application conferences:
October 15 and January 1 - Deadline to submit a formal annual review application:
January 30th
Because plan amendments are “legislative” actions they require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and Board of Clark County Commissioners. The timeline for these public hearings are not set because the schedule depends on the number and complexity of the applications submitted for that year. In general, we have been holding public hearing before the Clark County Planning Commission in early Summer and late Fall for Board of Clark County Commissioners. See CCC Section 40.560.010 (D) or send an email to annual.review@clark.wa.gov for additional information.
3. Can the Urban Growth Boundary be moved to include my property?
These requests can seldom be approved by the county on an individual basis because the Urban Growth Boundary's are only reviewed once every five years and the decision to change the boundaries are initiated by the affected city or the county for review during the five year plan update.
4. When are School Impact Fees paid?
All school districts in the county assess impact fees for new home construction and are only assessed at the time of building permit application. The school impact fees vary in amount from district to district. The actual fee rate is available through the county which collects the fees on behalf of all school districts.
5. If I have a historical property, what are the advantages of placing it on the Historic Register?
See: Advantages of Listing Your Property (PDF - 123K)
To protect a historical or cultural property in perpetuity, to feel pride in the properties reflection of the past history or craftsmanship and to qualify for tax incentive programs.
6. What is going to happen to the road in front of my house?
Contact county staff who will look up the location of your house and the plan for the street in the 20-year and 6-year road construction plans. Staff can also provide information on how wide the street is expected to become through developer driven improvements even if the county doesn’t have immediate plans for undertaking improvements.
7. Why do roads cost so much to improve?
A mile of new two lane rural road costs about 2 to 3 million dollars due to material costs and construction standards. Urban roads are 3 to 5 million dollars a mile. Each year, the county has about 30 million dollars available for road improvements. In addition to road construction standards, relatively new laws which regulate noise, stormwater run off, wetlands, habitat protection and, perhaps, endangered species, raise the cost of construction 20 to 50% above normal costs for both public and private road improvements.
8. What is a Transportation Impact Fee and who pays it?
A Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) is a fee assessed on new development for its’ impact on important roadways such as Mill Plain Road, Fourth Plain Road or Highway 99. This fee is paid by new development at the time of building permit application. The amount of the fee is based on the number of weekday vehicle trips that visit the proposed development. (9.55 trips for a single family home).
9. How does Clark County know what roadways will be needed in the future?
Clark County plans future roadways cooperatively with other local jurisdictions (e.g. City of Vancouver, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Washougal, LaCenter, Yacolt). The roadways are identified based primarily on the projected growth in households and employment anticipated by these local government comprehensive land use plans.
10. Does the county Planning Commission deal with development applications?
No. Development applications that require public hearings are reviewed by the Clark County Hearings Examiner. The only individual applications considered by the Planning Commission are Annual Review requests to amend the Comprehensive Plan Map (See questions 1 and 2 above).
The Planning Commission normally deals with legislative issues such as amendments to the county Code, Comprehensive Plan policies and Map changes. The Planning Commission normally meets at Vancouver City Hall on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and can usually be seen on cable station CVTV. Call (360) 397-2375 ext. 4105 for further information on the Planning Commission.
11. How can I influence the Community Planning Department work program?
The Community Planning work program is ultimately approved by the Board of Clark County Commissioners. The department accepts requests to modify County Code and Comprehensive Plan policies at any time that will be considered by the Board once a year. Those requests are gathered until September 1 and then assessed by staff with preliminary recommendations to the Board. During the fall of each year a final work program is approved by Board for the following year.
12. How can I get involved in helping plan for the future of Clark County?
Periodically, openings on the Planning Commission occur which the Board of Clark County Commissioners will fill by appointment. If you wish to submit your name for consideration of any future openings please direct them to:
Board of Clark County Commissioners
P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666
The county also appoints special committees to review specific planning issues. These openings are advertised in the local newspapers but you may also submit your name for consideration by directing them to:
Clark County Community Development Department, Long Range Planning Division
P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
13. How can I be informed about upcoming topics on the Planning Commission?
Send a request to be included on the Planning Commission agenda mailing list, including your name and mailing address, to:
Clark County Planning Commission Secretary, Development Services Division
P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
Or call with your name, mailing address, and email address:
(360) 397-2375 ext. 4105.
