Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is starting work to implement new provisions of the state Growth Management Act, GMA, that are effective today and allow development along the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. 

During the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers amended the act to permit freight rail-dependent uses on parcels adjacent to the railroad. If adopted by the Board of County Councilors, such uses would be allowed in rural, agriculture and forest-zoned lands.

The county immediately is beginning to:

Vancouver, Wash. - Clark County Public Health’s Green Business program will hold a free Morning Blend networking event from 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Corwin Beverage Co., 219 S. Timm Road, Ridgefield.

Corwin’s green team members will discuss their creative solutions to reduce the company’s environmental impact.

The event is open to anyone interested in networking and learning about green business practices.

Vancouver, Wash. – Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer, reminds property owners that the second installment of their 2017 property taxes is due Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017. 

“If you have not received your 2017 second-installment tax statement or have lost it, you can visit www.clark.wa.gov/treasurer or contact the Treasurer’s Office at 360.397.2252 for a duplicate statement,” Lasher said.

The Treasurer’s Office is on the second floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.  Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Vancouver, Wash. – For the first time, Clark County Parks will put seasonal trail restrictions in place at Whipple Creek Regional Park to preserve the park’s natural surface trails.

Beginning Nov. 1, dirt trails will be open only to foot traffic at the 300-acre park off Northwest 179th Street. Equestrians and mountain bikers can continue to use gravel trails year-round.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ In light of the region’s housing affordability crisis, Clark County is seeking community feedback at two informal public meetings on proposed development code changes for both rural and urban accessory dwelling units – ADUs – and cottage houses.

A meeting about proposed code changes for urban accessory dwelling units and cottage houses will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the Bud Van Cleve Community Room at Luke Jensen Sports Park, 4000 N.E. 78th St.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Community Awards ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 17, will honor the role people with developmental or intellectual disabilities have in helping the community achieve a dynamic, productive workforce and recognize leadership in the business community.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme, as decided by the U.S. Department of Labor, is Inclusion Drives Innovation.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Board of County Councilors is accepting applications to fill three vacancies on the volunteer Planning Commission.

Two positions are for seven-year terms; the third position is for a four-year term. All three terms begin in January 2018.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the council on land-use planning, zoning and development in areas outside cities and about issues such as growth management, roads, public facilities, development regulations and county ordinances.

Vancouver, Wash. - The Clark County Permit Center will close each Wednesday from Oct. 18 through Nov. 15 and then Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16-17, to prepare for the launch of a new electronic land management system.

The enhanced Clark County Land Management System, or CC LMS, will allow customers to apply for all building permits online. The system will make getting building permits more efficient, convenient and transparent.

Vancouver, Wash. - Clark County is seeking local residents who are directly connected to commercial agriculture in the county to serve on the newly forming Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Vancouver, Wash. - The Clark County Arts Commission is accepting applications for a resident who will serve as the next Clark County Poet Laureate. The commission is seeking an experienced poet to share his or her passion for the literary form with the community. 

This two-year position includes public speaking engagements, teaching, open mic readings and a stewardship in the Poetry Moves program sponsored by C-Tran and the nonprofit Arts of Clark County.