Zoning Protection Becomes Complicated

When association officers and residents first became involved in zoning efforts the City of Vancouver was leading the way in proposed zoning changes to protect existing mobile home and manufactured housing parks.  Now about two years later the Clark County Council has passed a moratorium on re-development and published a one-year work plan that emphasizes coordination with the City of Vancouver.

Meanwhile the city has made no visible progress in protecting their existing parks.  The reason may now be apparent.  Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle is quoted in favor of re-development of Hidden Village a 105 space park on Hwy 99 in Hazel Dell owned by the Werners.

The proposed developers are Vancouver Housing Authority and Evergreen Habitat for Humanity.  They have already received a commitment of $6 million of the housing funds controlled by Washington State Dept of Commerce—the same entity from which any funds we would need to purchase our park would come.  Habitat for Humanity is also seeking an additional $4 million from the current session of the legislature.

Obviously, there is a big difference between re-developing an old RV park between I-5 and Hwy 99 that is already half empty and a suburban manufactured home community such as ours.  So, the county planning staff has a difficult job of coming up with rules and regulations that juggle private property rights, protection of existing homes and allowing for more affordable housing. All done under the oversight of elected politicians who are also juggling competing constituencies.

It is our job as residents, citizens and voters to ensure these public decisions are made openly and fairly.

All of this is from a Oregon Public Broadcasting article found HERE