Clark County Looks for Solution to Costly Zoning Enforcement in Gorge National Scenic Area

VANCOUVER, WA-After a couple of run-ins with Columbia River Gorge Commission, Clark County officials are mulling a revocation of the county’s zoning ordinance governing development in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The option is on of several being considered by county commissioners in an effort to cut costs associated with its enforcement.

The county receives $10,000 a year from the Washington Legislature to defray the costs of processing development permits, but officials say it is significantly lass than the actual cost given the detailed documentation and legal review the Columbia River Gorge Commission mandates to support land-use decisions.

Only about 2% of the nearly 300,000-sf Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lies within Clark County’s purview. All told the scenic area covers parts of six counties in Washington and Oregon that border the Columbia River Gorge. The revocation of a governing ordinance has never happened, though adoption of them is optional.