Freight-Rail Dependent Uses

Project News

County Council has been holding work sessions on potential next steps for the Freight Rail Dependent Use legislation.

Work sessions were held on March 1, 2023 and May 17, 2023. The Railroad Advisory Board held a work session on August 9, 2023. A Council Time meeting will be held on August 16, 2023. Information regarding those meetings can be found on this page under "Public Meetings".

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Project Summary

Following the passage of Senate Bill 5517 in 2017, the county council had been working to implement freight rail dependent uses in Clark County. The bill amended the Growth Management Act to allow “freight rail dependent uses” and gives Clark and Okanogan counties authority to allow such uses adjacent to short line railroads.

On Jan. 9, 2018, the county council began implementation of SB 5517 by adopting the freight rail dependent use overlay, and amending the county’s comprehensive plan to create policies to allow for freight rail dependent uses. The overlay applies to properties within 500 feet of the county’s Chelatchie Prairie rail line between Northeast 119th and 149th streets in the Brush Prairie area, excluding land zoned R-5 or land within the Brush Prairie Rural Center.

After adoption of the overlay, the county began consideration of the appropriate development regulations and creation of a list of allowed uses. The county council formed the Freight Rail Dependent Use Advisory Committee, which provided recommendations to the council in June of 2018 regarding the size of the overlay and potential allowable uses along the rail corridor. The public further provided input through a survey, an open house, emails and public comment.

Throughout this robust public process, a number of issues developed requiring further deliberation by county staff and the county council. To ensure that this economic development opportunity is realized to its full potential, while limiting any negative effect to the surrounding neighborhoods to the greatest extent possible, additional time is necessary to resolve many remaining questions.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, the Clark County Council formally decided to postpone  public hearings regarding freight rail dependent uses.

The county council and county staff will continue working on gathering the necessary information to address the concerns raised through this process. In the meantime, the public is welcome to continue to provide input and ask questions.

Staff Contact

Jose Alvarez, Program Manager 
564.397.4898
jose.alvarez@clark.wa.gov

Public Meetings

Meeting information and project materials will be posted here.

County Council Meetings

August 16, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Time

Additional meeting details and information on how to join remotely can be found on the County Council's meeting page.


August 9, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session

Additional meeting details and information on how to join remotely can be found on the County Council's meeting page.


 May 17, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session


March 1, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session


Oct. 3, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. - Council Time, 6th floor hearing room - Public Service Center


Sept. 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. - County Council work session, 6th floor - Public Service Center

Comments

July 18, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. - County Council work session in 6th floor training room – Public Service Center

Clark County Code recommendations


June 13, 2018 at 11 a.m. – County Council work session in 6th floor training room – Public Service Center


March 13, 2018 at 10 a.m. - County Council hearing in 6th floor hearing room - Public Service Center

A proposal to adopt a public participation plan, including a scope of work and formation of an advisory group and charge, to implement development regulations regarding freight rail dependent uses per 3ESB5517.

Public Participation Plan Resolution


Feb. 7, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. - County Council Work Session in 6th floor training room - Public Service Center

County Council will hold a work session to begin discussion of Phase II (Development Code) of the implementation of Freight Rail Dependent Uses. 

Public Informational Meetings

September 20th, 2018 at 7 p.m. - Greater Brush Prairie Neighborhood Association Meeting at Fire District 3 Headquarters, Brush Prairie


Aug. 30, 2018 at 6:30-8 p.m. - Open House at Hockinson High School