Washougal gets ahead of the curve on growth

As Clark County’s long-running wrangling over the Growth Management Act has demonstrated, preparing for future expansion can be a difficult task for governments at the local level. But Washougal appears to be taking a well-reasoned approach in plotting for the city’s growth.

The Washougal City Council recently approved a comprehensive plan for its Northwest Urban Growth Area that will convert 66 acres of industrial and 14 acres of public facilities-designated land into low-density residential areas. Lot sizes will range from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet, allowing for single-family residential, adult family homes, cottage housing, duplexes, manufactured homes and townhouses. Developments will be required to connect to the city’s public water and sewer systems.