City reviews agreement for former lumber mill site

A mixed-use development, along with trails, public access to the Columbia River and possibly housing, are expected to be among the components of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site.

The Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker’s Landing LLC are requesting the Washougal City Council consider a development agreement for the land located at 335 S. “A” St.

The LLC is represented by Lance Killian, of Killian Pacific, a commercial real-estate development and investment company. Killian Pacific has created The Crossing and Evergreen Marketplace, in Washougal, as well as the Grand Central and Riverstone Marketplace developments, in Vancouver.

During the Sept. 9 council workshop, Killian said he has a sentimental interest in the Camas-Washougal area.

“I have a Papermaker and a Panther as parents,” he said.

The future development near the waterfront could potentially be as large as the 14-acre Grand Central. That includes 200,000-square feet of building area.

Killian expects the development process to begin in two to five years.

“There is no cooked plan for specific uses,” he said.

An anchor store or co-anchors would be needed to draw people, and smaller businesses and shops would supplement that, according to Killian.

City Councilman Dave Shoemaker asked about the potential of having a residential component.

The proposed agreement vests water and sewer capacity for 446 equivalent residential units after Washougal’s new wastewater treatment plant is operational in July 2015.

Killian said Parker’s Landing LLC is not committing to include a residential component in the project. He mentioned a traffic study involved the potential build out of 200 housing units.

Shoemaker said it would be a shame if the project did not include housing.

Last year, the property sale from Hambleton Brothers Lumber Company, Inc., to Killian Pacific totalled approximately 26.5 acres. The port purchased one-half of the parcel with $6.07 million in reserves.

A public hearing regarding the proposed development agreement will be held during the council’s next regular meeting Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall, 1701 “C” St.

An open house regarding waterfront revitalization and cleanup will be held the following day, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in the port office meeting room, 24 S. “A” St.