Comprehensive Plan Update December 2025
In our last newsletter, we found that the Clark County Council had decided to do an agricultural lands study after all, which you can read all about in the following article!
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Comp Plan Update was published October 1st, which opened a 60-day comment period that ended on November 30th. Information about the DEIS and a link to the document can be found here: 2025 Update EIS | Clark County. You can also read FOCC’s submitted comments on the DEIS here.
Both the outcome of the Ag Study and the DEIS will play heavily in the determination of a Preferred Alternative. Work sessions and public hearings for the Preferred Alternative will be held in January and February, with a Final Environmental Impact Statement targeted for completion by the end of March. The current schedule can be found here: 2025_Project-Timeline_Review_2025-0723 .xlsx. It is pretty aggressive, so it may be an optimistic timeline. We will be watching this process closely.
Private interests will be pushing the County Council to adopt a plan that favors development and fails to comply with the Growth Management Act (GMA). Ridgefield and La Center will be pushing for unneeded Urban Growth Area (UGA) expansion by de-designating some agricultural lands, while Vancouver is imploring the county NOT to expand their UGA. Friends of Clark County asserts that the 20 year population and jobs growth that has been projected can be accommodated within the current UGAs, which is supported by data from the Vacant Buildable Lands Model (VBLM).
Useful links:
Comp Plan update pages: 2025 Update | Clark County
Planning Commission meetings and materials: Planning Commission Hearings and Meeting Notes | Clark County
County Council meetings: Clark County Council Meetings | Clark County
FOCC Land Use Calendar: FOCC land use calendar