The goal of the listening sessions is to provide residents a small-group forum in which to voice their comments and concerns

VANCOUVER – Clark County Public Works Director/County Engineer Ken Lader, with Deputy County Manager Amber Emery, is hosting several community listening sessions about the 179th Street Access Management and Circulation Plan. The goal of the listening sessions is to provide residents a small-group forum in which to voice their comments and concerns. Additional staff will be present to help answer questions. 

About the plan

The area around Northeast 179th Street is experiencing rapid development. Development will increase traffic in the area. The existing road network was not designed to accommodate the increased traffic volume. A plan is needed to balance increased traffic volumes with safety and mobility. The plan’s recommendations include road designs, intersection types, access locations and safety features. The plan does not initiate county acquisition of privately owned land. The plan also does not review or approve proposed developments or overall development of the area. The plan does not require that property owners develop their property. 

The plan and additional information can be found at clark.wa.gov/public-works/179th-st-access-management-and-circulation-plan. The webpage contains information about public involvement in the plan’s creation. 

Council to consider adoption of the plan at public hearing, July 18

Clark County Council is hosting a hearing to consider adoption of the 179th Street Access Management and Circulation Plan. Council will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation to adopt the plan and amendments to the Arterial Atlas. At the hearing, staff will share with council elements of the plan and how it was developed, and answer councilors’ questions. During the public comment portion, comments will be limited for the time allotted and must be about the circulation plan. Details about the hearing and submitting comments can be found on the circulation plan’s webpage.

Community listening sessions

Prior to the July 18 hearing, listening sessions will provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions about the plan and voice their comments and concerns. To help facilitate deeper discussion, listening sessions are being focused on specific geographic areas covered by the plan. All residents are invited to attend any session. There will be three in-person listening sessions and one online session via Webex. RSVP for in-person sessions is appreciated but not required. Residents can email 179thstreetproject@clark.wa.gov to RSVP. Three of the in-person sessions will be held at the Clark County Public Safety Complex, located at 505 NW 179th St., Ridgefield. Attendees should enter the complex’s parking lot via the entrance off Northeast 10th Avenue and enter through the main doors. The community meeting room is near the front entrance. Signs will be posted to help direct attendees. The session on Tue., June 27 will be held at the west picnic shelter at Fairgrounds Community Park, located at 216 NW 164th St., Ridgefield.

Residents can register for the virtual listening session by going to the project webpage. 

• 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 26: listening session to discuss the plan’s elements and impacts for the area west of I-5
• 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 27: listening session to discuss the plan’s elements and impacts for the area east of I-5
• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, June 29: listening session to discuss the plan’s elements and potential impacts to properties immediately adjacent to Northeast 179th Street and upcoming capital projects
• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 6: online listening session to discuss the plan’s elements via Webex

To receive information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. 

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works and click on “News” to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language. 

Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.