Discussions

The Clark County Planning Commission held a public hearing to review three applications for the county's open space current use assessment program, which provides tax incentives for preserving environmental resources and historical sites. The applications included two historic properties and an 11.37-acre stream protection tract along Lacamas Creek that was established as part of a multi-phase residential subdivision. Following staff presentations and public testimony from the subdivision's project manager, the Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of all three open space classifications.

The Clark County Planning Commission reviewed and approved three applications for the open space current use assessment classification, a program offering tax incentives to preserve specific land types. Two of the approved applications were for historical sites—the William Frederick Kaufman House and a former bakery building in Vancouver—while the third was for an 11.37-acre stream protection area. A developer's project manager noted that the stream protection tract was established during a multi-phase subdivision development and will be managed as open space for the benefit of future residents.

The Clark County Planning Commission reviewed and unanimously approved three 2025 current use assessment applications for open space classifications, which grant tax incentives for land preservation. Two of the applications designated historic structures, while the third established an 11.37-acre stream protection tract along Lacomis Creek. This stream protection tract was set aside during a multi-phase residential subdivision developed by Pacific Lifestyle Homes to preserve formerly farmed land for the enjoyment of future residents.

The City Council held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to amend the bylaws of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA). The amendment specifically updates section 2.09 to clarify the employment status of the DRA's executive director while retaining the DRA board's role in the appointment process. Following a staff presentation and receiving no public testimony, the council unanimously approved the ordinance.

During the annual strategic plan report, port leadership highlighted recent accomplishments regarding facility security and environmental compliance. Specifically, the port established a monitoring plan for PFAS and the security team secured a FEMA grant to replace 106 security cameras across the property.

Automated license plate readers and Flock surveillance systems are not discussed. Instead, the term "monitoring" is used entirely in the context of public health, specifically regarding active and passive health monitoring of individuals exposed to the measles virus. Officials monitored these individuals' daily symptoms and immune statuses to contain a recent local outbreak.

The board confirmed there were no amendments to the meeting agenda before proceeding to the consent agenda. The consent agenda consisted solely of the meeting minutes from February 25, 2026. The board members quickly motioned, seconded, and unanimously approved these minutes without any changes.

During the review of the OALC Hyson Cemetery expansion, discussions addressed potential impacts to a wetland buffer located in the southwest corner of the project's sixth phase. The applicant indicated a preference to pursue a wetland permit to develop cemetery plots within the outer portion of the buffer rather than avoiding it entirely. They argued that the proposed cemetery lawn is a low-intensity use and that avoiding the buffer would result in an awkwardly shaped boundary and a loss of burial plots.

During the review of the OALC Hyson Cemetery expansion project, officials and the applicant discussed potential impacts to a wetland habitat buffer located on the property. The applicant is evaluating whether to completely avoid the buffer area during Phase 6 of the expansion or to pursue a formal wetland permit that would allow for minor impacts and the installation of physical demarcation along the boundary.

The hearings examiner established the procedural rules for the land use public hearing, setting a 20-minute time limit for the applicant and a three-minute limit for individual public testimony. He detailed how participants must submit specific oral or written testimony before the record closes to preserve their right to appeal future decisions. County staff also provided technical instructions for virtual attendees, explaining how to use the hand-raise and mute functions to participate during the public comment period.

Two development projects were evaluated for conditional use permits on R5-zoned parcels, with transportation concurrency reviewed for both applications. The first proposal is a 165-foot cell tower, where the applicant addressed neighborhood opposition and noted that Clark PUD regulations prevent attaching macro facilities to existing utility poles outside of commercial or industrial zones. The second proposal involves adding 3,489 cemetery plots and a maintenance shed to an existing church property, prompting discussions about wetland buffers and setback requirements for headstones.

Vertical Bridge LLC is applying to construct a 165-foot cell tower on a vacant 10-acre parcel in the R5 zoning district, which requires a Type 3 preliminary site plan review and a concurrent conditional use permit. The development review evaluated the project's compliance with minimum setback requirements, landscape screening, and the applicant's justification for building a new structure rather than co-locating on existing wireless facilities. Additionally, the applicant and development engineers debated a proposed condition of approval that would require the offsite rural access road to be widened to a 20-foot pavement standard.