ORDINANCE 2002-18

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SIX-MONTH EXTENTION OF THE 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, the Board of County Commissioners on May 6, 2002, adopted 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); and,

WHEREAS, as a partial solution, the Planning Commission has held workshops on a proposed ordinance amendment to the zoning code (Skamania County Code Title 21) to create criteria for zoning text and map amendments; and,

WHEREAS, the Planning Department has continued to meet with the Westend Community Members in updating the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Maps; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, due to time constraints, cannot hold a Public Hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment creating criteria for zoning text and map amendments prior to the expiration of the Westend Moratorium on the acceptance of rezone applications; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, has received a request from the Planning Commission and concerned citizens to extend the 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 Planning Commission also requested the following clause be included in the six-month extension request: The six-month extension may expire prior to the end of the six-months if the zoning text and map amendment ordinance is adopted by the Board of County Commissioner prior to the end of the six-month extension; 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 finds that these circumstances require the extension of the established moratorium, 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 extends the 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, for a period of six-months.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED AND ESTABLISHED BY THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: that the six-month extension to the moratorium on the acceptance of rezone applications that was established on May 6, 2002, can expire prior to the end of the six-month extension if the zoning text and map amendment ordinance is adopted by the Board of County Commissioners prior to the end of the six-month extension to the moratorium.

REVIEWED under Consent Agenda this 23^rd day of September 2002, and set for public hearing on the 7^th day of October 2002 at 7:00 o’clock p.m. at Canyon Creek Middle School, 9731 Washougal River Road, Washougal, WA.