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: How would you rate the accessibility of Vancouver city officials for addressing community concerns?
How accessible are Vancouver city officials to community concerns? - Budget leader says funding for programs and services is safe, concern is demand for billions in new spending
Sen. Lynda Wilson highlights safe funding for services despite looming demands for billions in new spending. - After evading repeal, will Washington expand its capital gains tax to lower incomes?One member of a prominent Washington think tank suspects lawmakers are considering modifying the capital gains tax to generate more revenue for state coffers Brett DavisThe Center Square Washington A general income tax in Washington state appears to be off the table for now, even as voters retained the state’s capital gains tax by failing …
- Opinion: New audit offers another reason lawmakers should leave the state’s paid-leave program behindElizabeth New (Hovde) critiques Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, highlighting audit findings of double-dipping and program inefficiencies.
- Opinion: WA turns redder, despite faulty media reports that said otherwiseWAGOP highlights gains in Washington’s November 2024 election, challenging claims the state turned “bluer.”
- Vancouver City Council to host community forum on Nov. 25Vancouver City Council invites community members to share questions and ideas at a public forum on Nov. 25 at Evergreen Public Schools.
- Vancouver Public Schools to run Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy on February ballotVancouver Public Schools Board approves a Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy for the February 2025 ballot to support long-term needs.
