Clark County growth-plan review reaches final environmental stage for Battle Ground
Clark County’s July 24 issuance of a final environmental impact statement moved the proposed 2025-2045 comprehensive-plan update that includes Battle Ground into its public-hearing and adoption phase. The action completed the required environmental review, but it did not immediately change Battle Ground zoning or approve new development rules.
Environmental review is complete
Clark County and the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal and Woodland, along with the Town of Yacolt, are covered by the coordinated comprehensive growth-management plan update.
The county issued the final environmental impact statement, or FEIS, on July 24, 2026, under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. The document evaluates potential environmental effects of the preferred growth alternative and possible mitigation measures. Clark County says issuing the FEIS completes the required SEPA process.
The FEIS is an environmental review document, not an adoption ordinance. It does not by itself establish new housing requirements, zoning districts, transportation projects, capital spending or development-code changes.
What remains undecided for Battle Ground
The proposed plan update could guide decisions through 2045 involving land use, housing, transportation, capital facilities and related development regulations. Those policy decisions remain pending and must proceed through public hearings and formal adoption steps.
Battle Ground’s comprehensive-plan framework addresses infrastructure, transportation, housing, parks, economic development and other quality-of-life issues. The city says its planning work is coordinated with Clark County, but the county’s current schedule does not mean Battle Ground has already adopted the proposed plan or new zoning.
Next dates on the draft schedule
Clark County’s current project timeline lists a Planning Commission work session for Aug. 6, followed by a Planning Commission hearing on Aug. 20. A Planning Commission deliberation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3.
The schedule then lists a County Council work session for Sept. 16, a council deliberation hearing on Oct. 6 and a final ordinance-of-adoption hearing on Oct. 13. It lists Oct. 23 as the planned effective date and notice-of-adoption date.
All of those dates are identified in the county timeline as subject to change. The FEIS does not have a separate hearing; comments are expected in connection with the comprehensive-plan hearings.
Where Battle Ground residents can review the FEIS
Printed copies are available for local review from July 31 through Oct. 30 at Battle Ground City Hall, 109 SW 1st St., and Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way. The FEIS is also available through Clark County’s online project materials.
Residents can comment through the county’s online form, by email at comp.plan@clark.wa.gov or by mail to Community Planning, Comp Plan Comments, P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666. Clark County says submitted correspondence may be disclosed under Washington’s public-records law, including the sender’s name or other submitted information, unless an exemption applies.
What to watch next
The July 24 FEIS issuance closes the required environmental-review phase. For Battle Ground, the next question is how the proposed plan and related code changes move through the scheduled review and adoption proceedings. Until the required policy actions occur, the future growth policies remain proposed rather than adopted.
Sources
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