East Industrial Park Rezone Assessment RECAP

The Port of Camas/Washougal is conducting a rezone assessment process to determine future employment uses east of the Port’s current industrial park (the East Industrial Park). The Commission is evaluating whether or not to change the direction of the site’s development from a range of light and heavy industrial uses to a wider range of employment uses, such as a business or technology park with accessory uses (i.e., limited retail and professional services to serve business park tenants). The Commission will also determine under what conditions the Port would sell a portion or all of the property.

Through the assessment process, the Commission will develop a set of approved guiding principles. Each alternative for the property will then be tested against the approved guiding principles.

Meetings & Public Involvement [Updated 4-11-08]

Aerial map of project

Special Meeting Notice: Wed, April 16th - Presentation to the Commission of the Alternatives Analysis - weighing the alternatives against the Guiding Principles. This meeting will begin at 5:30, and public comment will be taken at 6:45 p.m., as part of the Agenda.

NEXT: Regular Meeting on May 5th - Public hearing and decision on the direction of future development of the East Industrial Park.

On March 17th, at their regular meeting, the Commission once again deliberated on the draft Guiding Principles.  After consideration of how they would be used as a framework for future discussions, and that a combination of uses may be considered in addition to the stated alternatives, the following Guiding Principles were unanimously adopted:

  1. BROADER POLICY QUESTIONS

    Land use conflicts between existing Industrial Park tenants and surrounding land uses (refuge) and future tenants should be minimized.

  2. PREVIOUS OR IN-PROCESS ENTITLEMENTS

    A change of direction from the currently permitted range of industrial uses to a broader range of business park and commercial uses would need to provide significant economic and public value so that the potential loss of entitlement would be acceptable.

  3. ECONOMIC IMPACT

    The economic impacts of a different range of uses must be equal to or more favorable than the economic impact of the range of uses that are currently permitted.

  4. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & PUBLIC ACCESS

    Any new alternative must provide for the continued use of the levee trail and Columbia River waterfront by the public.

  5. SELLING PORT PROPERTY

    The considerations for selling Port property are (1) when the Port determines the sale is advantageous to the community and (2) the following additional factors are addressed:

    • Type of industry
    • Meet a level of employment of 7+ jobs per acre
    • Level of capitalization
    • Environmental responsibility
    • Value added to the Community
    • Diversification to the industrial base
    • Leaves the Port with an acceptable inventory of remaining property

On February 20th and on March 3rd, during their regular meetings, the Commissioners discussed the draft guiding principles presented to them at the February 6th Workshop, and whether or not there was a need for additional criteria to use in considering the future use of the East Industrial Park.

On February 6th, at a Special Meeting/Workshop, facilitated by JD White/BERGER-ABAM, the Commissioners reviewed research in the form of a Technical Memo, Stakeholder Summary, and Market Assessment, At this Workshop, the Commissioners began [more]

On January 28th, the Port invited the media and the public to ‘tour’ the East Industrial Park.  The tour, while initially planned to be done from the viewing advantage of the levee, was held [more]

The Port welcomes individuals and groups to contact the Port to schedule a Brown Bag Conversation (bring your own lunch) for the opportunity to sit down with Port Staff to learn more and ask questions about the process – either here or at a location of your choosing. Please contact Mary Murphy at 835-2196 or at mary@portcw.com to schedule a Brown Bag Conversation.

Additional information will also appear in the monthly Port News, at a display that will rotate to various locations throughout the community, and at informal brown bag conversations.

We encourage your participation in the East Industrial Park Rezone Assessment process and appreciate your help in shaping the future of our region.