Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) says it intends to build a rail-served logistics park on 28.8 acres in Brush Prairie, while neighbors question potential impacts on homes, farmland and neighboring Laurin Middle School and Glenwood Heights Elementary School.
PVJR owns approximately 28.8 acres across six tax parcels off Northeast Laurin Road along the railroad corridor, according to company President Eric Temple. The company purchased the property with the intention of developing a logistics park that could accommodate rail transloading, warehousing, storage, distribution and other freight-dependent activities.
The specific uses, facility layout and construction timeline have not been finalized, Temple said in an email response to The Reflector.
The property’s proximity to the school campus, nearby homes and surrounding agricultural land has become a central concern for area residents, who say they were caught off guard by recent work on the property and want more information about what could happen next.
One area resident, who said their family has lived along the railroad for 42 years, described the prospect of industrial development as a significant change to a landscape that has long defined the pocket of agricultural homes.
“It's been this way for 42 years,” the resident said. “We've never had a problem with it. But we never ever in our lifetime thought that they're going to turn it into some heavy or light industrial use train that's going to haul stuff from point A to B and go right by our house with 30 cars.”
The resident said the potential development could change the area’s character and raise concerns beyond the loss of open space.
“What about our air quality?” the resident said. “What about safety concerns? What about hazardous materials? Things combusting? Fire danger?”
Temple said the company recognizes that nearby residents may be concerned about changes to the property and intends to account for neighborhood impacts as plans develop.
“Our goal is to develop a successful railroad logistics facility while being thoughtful about our neighbors,” Temple wrote. “We'll consider issues such as dust, noise, lighting, safety, vehicle movements, and the relationship of the property to nearby homes and schools as plans progress.”
Property’s history and proposed use
Temple said PVJR purchased the property to support freight-rail-dependent development, pointing to Clark County’s long-standing planning efforts along the railroad corridor.
According to Temple, portions of the area surrounding the property carry the designation Railroad Industrial Urban Reserve in the county’s comprehensive planning maps. He said those designations reflect nearly two decades of county efforts to encourage rail-served industrial development and the economic opportunities associated with it.
“Those designations didn't appear by accident,” Temple stated. “They reflect years of planning and deliberate efforts by the county to encourage rail-served industrial development and the jobs and economic opportunities that accompany it.”
Area residents said they were unaware of much of that planning until earlier proposals brought attention to potential industrial uses along the corridor.
One resident recalled attending meetings at Prairie High School when the community opposed a proposed planning overlay. The resident said the proposal was eventually withdrawn, and neighbors believed the issue had been put aside until they learned of PVJR’s property purchase and subsequent work.
The resident described seeing painted lines along the road before learning that railroad-related work was being considered.
The resident said someone later came to the door on Friday, Oct. 16 and explained that the road would be blocked while work was done to install a railroad spur. That prompted neighbors to contact the county’s planning department to ask about permits and the purpose of the work, they said.
According to the resident, the work stopped after those calls, although equipment remained on the property for a time.
Temple said the work completed so far has been limited.
“Thus far, our work has been quite limited,” Temple wrote. “We've created an internal bypass/access road entirely on our own property using locally sourced rock. We have not started constructing warehouses or a rail yard.”
The company does not have a fixed construction schedule, Temple said. Additional improvements will depend on engineering, customer demand and the type of railroad facilities ultimately selected.
“Where permits or other regulatory approvals are required, we intend to follow the applicable laws and requirements,” he wrote.
Questions about county oversight
The property’s agricultural zoning and the extent of county oversight are additional sources of concern for residents.
Temple said the property remains agriculturally zoned but pointed to a Sept. 6, 2025, letter from the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office addressing the railroad’s ability to construct railroad facilities under federal law.
According to Temple, the letter confirms that the county will not use the property’s agricultural zoning or other local zoning restrictions to prohibit or require advance land-use approvals for construction of a rail yard, tracks and related railroad facilities when federal law preempts those requirements.
Temple also noted that the letter recognizes applicable engineering, stormwater, environmental and public safety requirements.
The resident questioned why PVJR could proceed with railroad-related work while questions remained about permits and compliance with county requirements.
The resident also questioned the county’s decision to renew the railroad’s lease despite the alleged violations.
The resident cited what they described as a reduction in a fine and questioned whether the railroad was being held to the same standards as other businesses.
“Like why is he held to a different standard than everybody else? Like it's just ridiculous,” the resident said.
The resident also expressed skepticism about the railroad’s promise to comply with applicable laws and requirements.
“Well, he's already shown us otherwise. He's already shown us otherwise in his own actions,” the resident said.
Concerns extend to school and environment
For residents, the potential industrial use was not simply a question of how the property looks. They said nearby homes, agricultural activities and school operations could be affected by potential increased railroad activity.
A Battle Ground Public Schools campus sits near the property, and residents said students can be heard playing outside from their homes. The surrounding area also includes a nature preserve, a dog park and school facilities with agricultural and wooded areas.
One resident suggested the property could serve a different community purpose, such as a larger agricultural learning center for students and future farmers.
“I mean, this is prime land to help reintegrate agriculture into our community which so many people here love; like people really cling to the ag life here,” the resident said.
The resident described a neighborhood where families raise poultry, grow food and preserve their own produce, arguing that an agricultural use could maintain a connection to the community’s rural character.
“Everybody here has chickens, turkeys. We all grow our own food,” they said. “We preserve our own food. Like it's a huge thing.”
The resident acknowledged that the property may not remain an open field indefinitely but argued that future development should benefit the surrounding community.
“We know that something has to go here. It can't stay this way but let's do something productive for the community and keep it ag for the sake of our state,” the resident said.
Concerns were also expressed about traffic and school transportation. The resident said buses travel across the railroad tracks during school drop-off and pickup periods, sometimes making it difficult for nearby residents to enter or leave their properties due to increased traffic.
The resident also questioned whether the existing railroad infrastructure could accommodate the level of activity contemplated by PVJR.
The resident referenced another individual with railroad experience who, according to the resident, believes certain sections of the railroad may require improvements to handle the proposed operations.
The potential costs of such improvements and who would pay for them were among the questions the resident raised.
Temple said the volume and timing of future railroad activity remain uncertain because the company has not finalized its customers or facility plans.
“One advantage of rail-served logistics is that certain operations, such as transloading or railcar storage, can potentially begin before permanent buildings are constructed,” Temple wrote. “Other customers may require more substantial facilities.”
He added, “The ultimate timing and volume of rail activity will depend on which customers we serve and the facilities they require. I would rather give you accurate information as plans develop than speculate about dates or train volumes.”
Company says it wants to be a good neighbor
Temple said PVJR understands that residents who have enjoyed views of an open field may be concerned about the property’s future and that the company intends to maintain open communication as plans advance.
“We absolutely intend to be good neighbors,” Temple wrote.
Residents remained skeptical, pointing to what they described as a lack of advance communication about the recent work.
“I can't picture him being thoughtful after thinking about what he did up at Chelatchie Prairie,” the resident said.
The resident said the company could have approached neighbors earlier to explain the plans and hear their concerns.
“Does a good neighbor knock on your door the day before they're going to tear up your road?” the resident said.
Temple said residents can contact PVJR directly at info@pvjr.com with questions. He said the company would prefer an open conversation over speculation about the project.
The resident said area neighbors have formed the Greater Brush Prairie Coalition on Facebook to share information and raise awareness about the potential development. At the time of the interview, the resident said the group had more than 60 members and planned to distribute informational flyers to the community.
The resident said the effort would include reaching people concerned about environmental issues, local schools and other community interests.
Temple also pointed to potential regional benefits of rail-served industrial development, including improved freight efficiency and fewer long-haul trucks on highways.
“Railroads are an important part of our regional economy,” Temple wrote. “Moving freight by rail can reduce the number of long-haul trucks on our highways, improve transportation efficiency, and help local employers compete.”
He said PVJR sees the property as an opportunity to support businesses and employment while respecting the surrounding community.
For residents, however, significant questions remain about how the property could change, what railroad operations would look like and how those activities could affect the neighborhood.
