The moratorium was enacted to enable planning staff to study the emerging trend of applications for warehouse and distribution facilities in Vancouver
VANCOUVER – During their Dec. 12 meeting, members of the Vancouver City Council voted to declare an emergency to approve a six-month moratorium on new applications for large warehouse and distribution facilities in Vancouver.
The moratorium was enacted to enable planning staff to study the emerging trend of applications for warehouse and distribution facilities in Vancouver. These types of developments are currently allowed in Light and High Industrial zoning districts. These facilities typically have very low employment per acre ratio and are not listed as a priority sector in the Clark County Economic Development Plan, which the city of Vancouver adopted in 2017. This type of development, which typically involves a significant amount of large truck traffic, may also be inconsistent with the goals of the City’s newly adopted Climate Action Plan.
“The increase in the growth of e-commerce, and the increasing trend toward larger and larger distribution facilities is concerning particularly since these facilities consume vast quantities of limited industrially zoned land. The moratorium will allow for concerns related to long-term impacts from mega-warehouses to be studied, better understood and addressed as needed,” said Director of Community Development Chad Eiken.
CBRE estimates that an additional 330 million square feet of warehouse space is needed in the United States to meet the e-commerce demand into 2025. On the I-5 corridor, Vancouver is a prime location for this type of development. Eight proposed large warehouse projects are currently in the development review process, which will consume 205 acres of industrial land. While the moratorium will not affect the projects that are already vested to current zoning regulations, national trends suggest that additional proposals can be expected.
State law (RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200) allows for a six-month maximum moratorium on land uses, with one six-month extension if necessary. According to state law, a public hearing will be held no later than Feb. 6, 2023, or within 60 days of the moratorium’s adoption.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
Also read:
- POLL: Should Clark County keep its current fireworks laws allowing aerial fireworks in unincorporated areas?
Sharp divisions emerged during Clark County Council discussion as residents debated aerial fireworks rules. - Confined space rescue successful after 20-foot fall at Washougal Wastewater Treatment Facility
Technical rescue team used advanced rope systems to extract contractor from construction tank at treatment plant. - Plan to sweep $4B from WA police and firefighter pension fund spurs lawsuit
Retired police officers and firefighters sue to block state’s plan to sweep billions from overfunded pension account. - Opinion: Bike lanes aren’t two-way streets
Doug Dahl explains why riding against traffic in bike lanes creates dangerous intersection conflicts and forces cyclists into vehicle lanes. - 65th Anniversary of Clark County Fire District 10 to be observed
Fire Chief Gordon Brooks will present the history of Amboy Fire District 10 at the North Clark Historical Museum celebration. - Spruce Up Day to be held at Parker’s Landing Historical Park
Volunteers gather May 12 at Parker’s Landing Historical Park to preserve heritage trees and rose gardens dating to the 1800s. - Dina Sawyer named principal at Gause Elementary School
Dina Sawyer transitions from special education teacher to permanent principal at Gause Elementary after serving as interim leader.
