Project News

County Council has been holding work sessions on potential next steps for the Freight Rail Dependent Use legislation.

Work sessions were held on March 1, 2023 and May 17, 2023. The Railroad Advisory Board held a work session on August 9, 2023. A Council Time meeting will be held on August 16, 2023. Information regarding those meetings can be found on this page under "Public Meetings".

To keep updated on the project, sign up to receive email notifications.

Project Summary

Following the passage of Senate Bill 5517 in 2017, the county council had been working to implement freight rail dependent uses in Clark County. The bill amended the Growth Management Act to allow “freight rail dependent uses” and gives Clark and Okanogan counties authority to allow such uses adjacent to short line railroads.

On Jan. 9, 2018, the county council began implementation of SB 5517 by adopting the freight rail dependent use overlay, and amending the county’s comprehensive plan to create policies to allow for freight rail dependent uses. The overlay applies to properties within 500 feet of the county’s Chelatchie Prairie rail line between Northeast 119th and 149th streets in the Brush Prairie area, excluding land zoned R-5 or land within the Brush Prairie Rural Center.

After adoption of the overlay, the county began consideration of the appropriate development regulations and creation of a list of allowed uses. The county council formed the Freight Rail Dependent Use Advisory Committee, which provided recommendations to the council in June of 2018 regarding the size of the overlay and potential allowable uses along the rail corridor. The public further provided input through a survey, an open house, emails and public comment.

Throughout this robust public process, a number of issues developed requiring further deliberation by county staff and the county council. To ensure that this economic development opportunity is realized to its full potential, while limiting any negative effect to the surrounding neighborhoods to the greatest extent possible, additional time is necessary to resolve many remaining questions.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, the Clark County Council formally decided to postpone  public hearings regarding freight rail dependent uses.

The county council and county staff will continue working on gathering the necessary information to address the concerns raised through this process. In the meantime, the public is welcome to continue to provide input and ask questions.

County Council Meetings

August 16, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Time

Additional meeting details and information on how to join remotely can be found on the County Council's meeting page.

• Staff Presentation
• Staff Memo
• Public Comment

---

August 9, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session

Additional meeting details and information on how to join remotely can be found on the County Council's meeting page.

• Railroad Advisory Board Presentation

---

 May 17, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session

• Presentation

---

March 1, 2023 at 9 a.m. - Council Work Session

• Presentation
• Follow up documents after March 1 work session:
  • Memo 
    • EX 1:Comprehensive Plan policies related to sewer
    • EX 2: CCC 40.250.020 New FRDU section
    • EX 3: CCC 40.320.010 Landscaping Standards
    • EX 4: FR_CCC_40.340.010 Parking and Loading Standards
    • EX 5: FR_CCC_ 40.370 Sewer and Water Amendment
    • EX 6: FR_CCC 40.520.040 Site Plan Review
    • EX 7: FR_CCC 40.560.010 Plan Amendments
    • EX 8: District FRDUO Comments 08282018
  • Public Comment

---

Oct. 3, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. - Council Time, 6th floor hearing room - Public Service Center

• Agenda
• Audio

---

Sept. 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. - County Council work session, 6th floor - Public Service Center

• Staff summary
• Presentation

Comments

• Survey results
• Comments received through Sept. 17

July 18, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. - County Council work session in 6th floor training room – Public Service Center

• Presentation
• Map Overlay Recommendation
• Use table recommendation

Clark County Code recommendations

• Freight Rail-Dependent Use Overlay
• Plan Amendments
• Sewer and Water
• Site Plan Review
• Landscaping Standards
• Parking and Loading Standards

---

June 13, 2018 at 11 a.m. – County Council work session in 6th floor training room – Public Service Center

• Presentation
• Draft Code 40.250.120
• Draft Use Table
• Draft map overlay recommendation

---

March 13, 2018 at 10 a.m. - County Council hearing in 6th floor hearing room - Public Service Center

A proposal to adopt a public participation plan, including a scope of work and formation of an advisory group and charge, to implement development regulations regarding freight rail dependent uses per 3ESB5517.

Public Participation Plan Resolution

---

Feb. 7, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. - County Council Work Session in 6th floor training room - Public Service Center

County Council will hold a work session to begin discussion of Phase II (Development Code) of the implementation of Freight Rail Dependent Uses. 

• Presentation
• Summary notes