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:
- Opinion: Schools notifying parents about the kinds of care kids can decide on their own didn’t make it
Elizabeth New criticizes the removal of Amendment 1164 from current legislation, arguing it leaves parents uninformed about health care services accessed by their children through schools. - Ridgefield School District invites community to help shape new Strategic PlanRidgefield School District is hosting three public sessions to gather community input for its new Strategic Plan.
- Julianne Lawrence is first paid director of Two Rivers Heritage Museum
Julianne Lawrence has been appointed the first paid director of the Two Rivers Heritage Museum following a strategic effort by the Camas-Washougal Historical Society. - Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools breaks ground on new building to support construction trades at Fort Vancouver High School with the Ed and Dollie Lynch FundFort Vancouver High School will soon be home to a donor-funded trades center focused on welding and advanced manufacturing education.
- Save Vancouver Streets has its day in court, waits on ruling
Save Vancouver Streets went to court to argue that the city must allow its initiative to proceed after collecting more than 6,500 signatures. - Opinion: Off-road vehicles in the neighborhoodDoug Dahl responds to a resident’s concern about off-road vehicles on neighborhood streets, outlining the legal violations and safety risks involved.
- IBR only has single firm interested in managing the project to replace I-5 BridgeRep. John Ley reports on serious concerns with the I-5 Bridge replacement project, including limited contractor interest, rising tolls, and a 15-year timeline.
