The proposed six-lot cluster subdivision near Morgan Creek prompted discussions about its potential impacts on local wetlands, riparian zones, and wildlife, including spawning coho salmon and beavers. To address public concerns about logging and the loss of natural habitat, county staff and the applicant detailed a mitigation plan that strictly enforces 100- to 200-foot buffer zones around the creek and restricts development to specific envelopes. Additionally, the county forester reviewed the necessary forest practices permits, noting that portions of the property must be formally withdrawn from a timber tax deferral program before harvesting can begin.
Forests_green_space + Wildlife_habitat
Clark County Land Use Hearings · May 14, 2026 · 49:42–53:54 · Watch on CVTV ↗
Keywords: forestry rural lands timber logging wetlands wildlife riparian salmon stormwater habitat
What was said
48:40 Just the habitat is my main concern is being able to maintain, you know, we live in a rural area and it would be nice to maintain the habitat that we've got right now and not disturb it too much. Well, that's always the objective. And I got to tell you, a number of people put in their comments argued the various policies for rural development and protection of habitat. The zone and the zoning requirements are intended to implement those policies. So, the setbacks that we talked about, they're prescribed by the habitat and the wetland ordinances.
49:23 And so, you know, the preservation of rural character is implemented through these cluster developments. So, rather than having a diffuse subdivision scattered across the rural landscape, they're allowed to be clustered and preserving, keeping, you know, large tracks intact. So, that's why this lot six is 17, over 17 acres with one house on it. And the others are small lots that are under two acres. So, those design features that are dictated by the code, that's how we give voice to the rural character and preservation of wetlands, wildlife habitat, and riparian habitat. So, we'll get, Mr. Radcliffe will give a response to that and when all the public testimony is in, okay?
50:15 Okay, you know, and the last thing I had is, you know, this is an R5 zoning area. So, you're going to be dropping it down to a two acre. Right, but the lots will be clustered. Right, but the overall density is no greater than five acre. So, right. Okay. All right. That was my question. Thank you. Okay, you're welcome. Anyone else in a neutral type or capacity here? Want to testify? No, just for neutral, we're not seeing anything yet. I think we do have some other people that want to speak in opposition. Okay, I think we're, are we ready for opposition then? Yes. Okay, opposition. Who's first?
51:10 Go ahead. Everyone who wants to speak in opposition, raise your hand and Richard Davia will take you in some sort of order. Right now I'm not seeing any. Bill had his hand raised before. Oh, here's, here's, we got, we got somebody now. Wait a minute. Oh, Mike, he was the same guy before, right? We've heard from, maybe Mike wants, has some real opposition comments? Yeah, yeah. That's fair. Go ahead. Let's see what Mike has to say to add to what he had. I'm sorry. No, I don't have a follow up question. No. Okay. I'm Virginia. All right. So you're, you're, you're in the same room as Mike there? I am. And you're opposite, you're in opposition, whereas Mike's only neutral? Right. All right, go ahead.
52:06 I walk the road every day and I appreciate the trees and the nature and the quiet and it's going to change so much. And that's the reason we moved out here was to enjoy the countryside and six more houses on there. It's going to change a lot and add traffic. And I am really concerned if they do have a good size buffer to protect the creek and so it can still look pretty and natural. That will be a big plus. Yeah. I'm going to consider that and plus protecting the habitat. Right. And you, you can you see that on the screen is this exhibit that shows the, the layout with the wetland buffer boundary, this red dashed line. Uh huh. So, yeah, that, yeah, I'm hoping they do protect some of the trees and everything so that it's still looks country and still country.
53:03 And yeah, the perverse side of this too is, this is Clark County, Washington, and these, a lot of this is trees and so there will be a certain amount of logging, a forest practice associated with this so you know that's that's that's where that's this is a timber state, you know. Right, that's the way it goes, and it's sort of counter to the sort of qualities that you move there for, but that, but being able to walk down the road and being able to have some trees protecting and keeping the creek as full as possible for the habitat and from viewing would be and for quiet would be wonderful. Yes, would be. Okay, got that duly noted, you didn't submit a written comment, did you? Not yet. Okay, we have a weeks after this, so thank you. You're welcome. Anyone else wish to testify in opposition?
54:03 Yes, we have Bill here, who is, and I'm going to, I just sent, I just sent to unmute him, Bill. Yeah, and he's got a green light on. All right, Bill. Did I just unmute myself? Yeah, and start with your name and maybe spell it for me if it's tricky. Well, I think I can handle the spelling parts, Bill Blaser, B-L-A-Z-E-R. Yeah, that is easy. Okay, go ahead. Yeah, enjoy some local recognition. So I'm on the property immediately east of what you're showing here. So east of John Nelson? Yeah, I'm east of there, there's one property between my little home and the lot three. So excuse nerves, this is kind of interesting participating all these things. We've been there for quite a while.
Evidence (3 matches)
direct keyword 49:42–50:29 wetlands, wildlife, riparian, salmon, stormwater, habitat
, that's why this lot six is 17, over 17 acres with one house on it. And the others are small lots that are under two acres. So, those design features that are dictated by the code, that's how we give voice to the rural character and preservation of wetlands, wildlife habitat, and riparian habitat. So, we'll get, Mr. Radcliffe will give a response to that and when all the public testimony is in, okay? Okay, you know, and the last thing I had is, you know, this is an R5 zoning area. So, you're go
direct keyword 53:23–53:54 wetlands, wildlife, riparian, salmon, stormwater, habitat
. Right, that's the way it goes, and it's sort of counter to the sort of qualities that you move there for, but that, but being able to walk down the road and being able to have some trees protecting and keeping the creek as full as possible for the habitat and from viewing would be and for quiet would be wonderful. Yes, would be. Okay, got that duly noted, you didn't submit a written comment, did you? Not yet. Okay, we have a weeks after this, so thank you. You're welcome. Anyone else wish to t
direct keyword 53:17–53:48 forestry, rural lands, timber, logging
h, the perverse side of this too is, this is Clark County, Washington, and these, a lot of this is trees and so there will be a certain amount of logging, a forest practice associated with this so you know that's that's that's where that's this is a timber state, you know. Right, that's the way it goes, and it's sort of counter to the sort of qualities that you move there for, but that, but being able to walk down the road and being able to have some trees protecting and keeping the creek as ful