Clark County recognizes the value of neighborhood associations and of working with residents to build community. Indeed, neighborhood associations are a cornerstone to fulfill the county’s duty under the Growth Management Act to provide early and continuous public participation in land use decision. Clark County has offered various services to neighborhoods since 1991, and established the Neighborhood Outreach Program in August 1996, to serve those living in unincorporated Clark County.In our busy lives, we often overlook the value and benefits of our local neighborhood association and assume that a neighborhood association only exists in an urban environment. But there are nearly 30 associations in unincorporated parts of the County, and many that have existed for a decade or longer.
Your neighborhood association has defined geographic boundaries, is required to meet certain administrative guidelines as part of the Clark County Neighborhood Outreach Program and holds at least one meeting a meeting a year.
Historically neighbors have come together to shape the areas in which they live. By forming neighborhood associations, citizens work in partnership with their local governments to maintain or enhance the livability of their communities. Volunteering to help can be as easy as delivering meeting notices and newsletters or helping to identify projects that can improve your community. Simply suggesting a topic of community interest for a future meeting is often helpful.
Neighborhood associations can offer forums for a full range of topics from local crime activity, to proposed development activity, to traffic issues – or even a single topic such as one of those “What To Do About?” issues. Help and assistance are always available from the Clark County Neighborhood Program Coordinator, Marilee McCall. The County Neighborhood Program offers an open and accessible forum for connecting with local government on issues that impact our neighborhoods.
WONDERING HOW TO FIND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION?
It’s easy to identify your neighborhood association, and if it’s active or not. Due to the COVID pandemic, many of the nearly 30 associations have temporarily halted public meetings or even newsletter communications, but normally still have regularly scheduled communications with residents. To find your association, click on this link https://clark.wa.gov/county-manager/neighborhood-association-directory and follow the instructions, which include an interactive map. By following those instructions, you will land on a page specific to your neighborhood association. This page tells you about the association and gives you contact information.
If you already know your neighborhood association’s name, the web page gives a list of associations and contact information. You can simply scroll down the list and connect with whom ever is identified as the person to contact.
If you are within the Vancouver city limits, you can find your neighborhood at www.cityofvancouver.us/neighborhoods.
For more information about the county neighborhood associations contact:
Marilee McCall, Clark County Neighborhood Program Coordinator
marilee.mccall@clark.wa.gov
564.397.2316