Building_development

1:18:21 moment, but it isn't really long term planning. >> Okay, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Kamas? Do we have a representative from Kamas? Kamas is not here. Let's center. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Okay, sorry about that. Good evening, planning commissioners. My name is Angie Merrill, M-E-R-R-I-L-L. I'm the city planner for City of La Center, and I'd like to first note that, we're sorry, that Mayor Stroven could not be here this evening as he's out of town. The city of La Center would like to express its support for exploring and

1:19:17 implementing a transfer of development rights, or TDR, program for the agricultural lands. As La Center has worked through the comprehensive plan update, our city leaders and staff repeatedly engaged with residents and stakeholders to understand their vision for the community. I've consistently heard three important priorities, maintaining a small town charm and feel of downtown La Center, focusing growth near the I-5 junction where transportation and infrastructure can support it, and creating family wage jobs so La Center does not become simply a bedroom community. Our city council unanimously adopted a preferred alternative that reflects those priorities, including targeted growth around I-5 as well as downtown and Tim and Landing sub area plans. We believe this approach provides opportunities for needed housing and employment while preserving the character that makes La Center special.

1:20:17 La Center understands and supports the importance of preserving productive agricultural lands. At this time, we believe we need to be innovative and we need innovative tools that allow us to accomplish both goals, protecting valuable agricultural land while giving smaller cities the ability to accommodate responsible growth. The small town character of La Center is one of the very reasons people choose to live, work, and invest in our community. We want to preserve the character while planning responsibly for the future. We appreciate the county's consideration of a TDR program and encourage the planning commission to support the innovative approach to balancing agricultural preservation with the growth needs of Clark County's smaller cities. I'd also like to address Oliver had noted that in our

1:21:14 preferred alternative there was a donut hole as far as expanding. So you have it pulled up here. So the parcel that is in white, it's parcel 986027200 is owned by Clark Public Utilities. And we initially didn't ask to bring it into the city, but we don't want to leave a donut hole. So that is something that we have requested to bring into the city as well. And so I just want to thank you for your time and the opportunity to give testimony this evening. If you have any questions, I'm here to answer them. >> Questions for La Center? >> This is Commissioner LaDuke Montgomery. I just wanted to clarify, so La Center is in favor of a TDR program in conjunction with proposed UGA changes? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Thank you.

1:22:13 >> Yeah, Commissioner Halbert, I want to understand that donut hole just a little more. Is it on one of the, on the matrix here that we're going to be voting on? >> It is. So up to the north, the northwest, you can see there's the green, the parcel's in green, and then there's just a donut hole. >> I got that. I'm just wondering where it's at on our matrix for voting. >> 28. >> No, number 28. Okay, okay. Maybe that answers it. Let me take a look at 28. >> Number 28. That's correct. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions for La Center? Okay. >> Quick question for staff. >> Go ahead. >> You're really quick, you're really quick. >> Yeah, this is Ron Barca. In regard to number 28, it's a five acre parcel owned by Clark PUD.

1:23:10 It also says D designation of agricultural lands. Is this Clark PUD parcel ag land? >> Yeah, it's designated ag, correct. >> It is? >> Yes. >> And what's its utilization right now? Is it being used as ag? >> I think it's a station. >> Yeah, there's some kind of substation. >> Substation on it. Okay. >> As a substation, it can be allowed in the ag. >> Okay, certainly, I was just wondering how it showed up in the agricultural study. Whether it showed it as prime land or how that this was working. Okay, thank you. >> Yes, yes, it did. >> Prime land with a substation on it? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Soil and other characteristics. Any more questions for the sir? Okay, moving on. Steve Richfield.

1:24:10 >> Good evening, Chair, members of the Planning Commission, for the record.