Development News for Washougal, Washington
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City Council Workshop of May 26, 2026 - Media
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
City Council Explores Impact Fee Waivers for Affordable Housing and Early Learning Facilities
The City Council engaged in a detailed discussion regarding potential updates to impact fee policies, specifically focusing on exemptions for low-income housing and early learning facilities. Current state legislation allows cities to partially or fully waive impact fees for these types of developments, with the city being obligated to repay only up to 80% of the waived amount if a full waiver is granted. Council members debated the financial implications of such waivers, considering the potential impact on the city's general fund and impact fee accounts. Options discussed included full waivers with partial repayment, partial waivers without repayment, and setting specific percentage caps or unit limits for exemptions. The council expressed concerns about the potential financial burden and the lack of dedicated revenue sources, while also acknowledging the benefits of incentivizing affordable housing and essential services like early learning centers. The city plans to further analyze these options, potentially developing a graduated table for exemptions, before making a final decision.
City Council Reviews Comprehensive Community Development Code Updates
The City Council discussed proposed updates to the community development code, specifically focusing on Group Four, which included revisions for essential public facilities (EPFs), transportation concurrency, septic system management, and organic materials management facilities. The EPF update aims to establish siting standards for facilities that are difficult to cite, requiring conditional use permits. Transportation concurrency updates will incorporate multimodal level of service standards for non-motorized facilities, requiring developers to analyze traffic stress for bicyclists and pedestrians. Septic system management will involve cross-referencing county regulations for failing systems, with flexibility for repairs or deferral to county processes if sewer connection is not feasible. Organic materials management facilities will be defined and incorporated into the EPF definition, aligning with the Clark County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. Additionally, a discussion was held regarding potential updates to impact fee chapters, focusing on exemptions for low-income housing and early learning facilities, and the financial implications for the city.
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