ORDINANCE 2002-06

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF REZONE APPLICATIONS FOR ANY PARCEL LOCATED WITHIN TOWNSHIP 1 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST; TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST; TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST; TOWNSHIP 1 NORTH, RANGE 6 EAST; TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 6 EAST; OR TOWNSHIP 3 NORTH, RANGE 6 EAST, WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, LYING NORTHERLY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA BOUNDARY AND SOUTHERLY OF THE GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY. ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED AREA IS GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE WESTEND OF SKAMANIA COUNTY.

WHEREAS, in 1977, Skamania County adopted a Comprehensive Plan A for the south portion of Skamania County; and,

WHEREAS, in 1990, the County adopted new zone classifications in various sub-areas of the county; and,

WHEREAS, in 1992, the Columbia River Gorge Commission, pursuant to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, adopted a Management Plan for the areas of Skamania County lying within the National Scenic Area; and,

WHEREAS, there have been 25 approved rezone applications (approximately 1, 300 acres) in the Westend of Skamania County between the years 1991 and 2001; and,

WHEREAS, the County is in the process of reviewing and updating the Comprehensive Plan text and maps, and the Zoning text and maps; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, has received a request from the Planning Commission and concerned citizens to place a moratorium on the acceptance of rezone applications for any parcel located within Township 1 North, Range 5 East; Township 2 North, Range 5 East; Township 3 North, Range 5 East; Township 1 North, Range 6 East; Township 2 North, Range 6 East; Township 3 North, Range 6 east, Willamette Meridian, lying northerly of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Boundary and southerly of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Boundary, until the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments are complete. (All the aforementioned area is generally known as the Westend of Skamania County); and,

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners conducted a public hearing to consider the request; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has the authority pursuant to RCW 36.70.795 to adopt a moratorium that may be effective for not longer than six months, but may be effective for up to one year if a work plan is developed for related studies providing for such longer period. A moratorium may be renewed for one or more six-month period(s) if a subsequent public hearing is held and finding of fact are made prior to each renewal.

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners believe that these circumstances constitute an emergency, and that it is in the public’s best interest (to protect the public’s safety, health and general welfare) to maintain the status quo of the area pending the County’s consideration of updates to the Comprehensive Plan text and maps and to the zoning text and maps; and,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED AND ESTABLISHED BY THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS FOLLOWS: the Board of County Commissioners hereby adopts a six-month moratorium on the acceptance of rezone applications for any parcel located within Township 1 North, Range 5 East; Township 2 North, Range 5 East; Township 3 North, Range 5 East; Township 1 North, Range 6 East; Township 2 North, Range 6 East; Township 3 North, Range 6 east, Willamette Meridian, lying northerly of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Boundary and southerly of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Boundary, until the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments are complete. (All the aforementioned area is generally known as the Westend of Skamania County).

REVIEWED under Consent Agenda this 8^th day of April 2002, and set for public hearing on the 6^th day of May 2002 at 7:00 o’clock p.m.