Cowlitz County schedules critical‑areas hearing, minor plat and fee changes; Dyke Road bid to come for award

Tracy Jackson, director of Building and Planning, told commissioners the county will hold a call for hearing on a periodic review and update to the critical areas ordinance with a hearing date scheduled for July 21. The update is part of the comprehensive plan amendment process and was reviewed by planning commission and BPAC committees.

Jackson also said a final plat for Cooper Hill Rural Subdivision (adding one lot to a prior short plat) will be presented on consent; the change increases a four‑lot short plat to five lots and is located off Spirit Lake Highway. The board was told the subdivision developer and staff expect to present the plat for signature at the next meeting.

On fees, Building and Planning proposed a modest 3% increase in permit and planning fees effective July 1 to help offset rising internal costs and insurance; BPAC, which includes local builders, reviewed the proposal and supported it.

Savannah Clement (Public Works) said the Dyke Road project low bid will be presented for award at the next meeting and that an agreement with the Consolidated Recreation and Conservation Office (CRAB) for grant funding will appear on consent; staff will provide the engineer’s estimate and bid totals at that meeting.

What happens next: hearings and consent calendar items (critical‑areas ordinance hearing, Cooper Hill final plat, fee change, Dyke Road bid award and CRAB agreement) will be presented to the board at upcoming meetings for action or signature.