Landowners have stood by for 20 years in disappointment and frustration as our elected officials and county planners craft abusive large lot zoning regulations and impose them on our properties.
In most instances, the zoning does not reflect the patterns of parcel developments that have existed for generations. Clark County Citizens United (CCCU) was created in response to this disregard for the county’s rural character, and the landowners. We remain incensed that our elected officials, until recently, have given no attention to the rural lands.
More importantly, there has been no regard for the cultural and economic impacts of the land use regulations stemming from 1994. This speaks to the stability of our schools, good family wage jobs, and all aspects concerning rural quality of life issues. Even though an economic impact study is a required planning element under the GMA, this has never been done in Clark County. Common sense would dictate that if the planners and elected officials callously downzoned thousands of acres; surely an economic analysis would be a prime consideration.
CCCU’s membership vividly recalls the massive downzoning, and our resulting wins in the courts. We care enough about our rural culture to continually bring forth the consequences of 20 years of abusive planning policies immorally and disproportionately imposed on the rural landowners. Recently, a county planner told me, “This should all be farms and trees out here. Nobody should be living out here.” He was pointing to Hockinson on his map.
Now is the time to rewrite a new comprehensive growth plan that allows for, and encourages innovative solutions, is balanced, and recognizes the patterns of development that have existed for decades. Alternative 4 has taken a tremendous commitment of research and patience. Alternative 4 is the only plan that attempts to reverse the trends of the past 20 years, restore property rights, and common sense for rural landowners.
Susan Rasmussen
President, Clark County Citizens United, Inc.
