Camas Endorses North Shore Vision Statement

Camas City Council approved the North Rim Vision Statement, an eight-point document that, if city leaders agree to the next phase of planning for the subzone, will guide the future development of the area for use. mixed 800 acres northeast of Lacamas Lake, known as La Côte Nord.

At the council meeting on Monday, September 21, Councilor Bonnie Carter congratulated Sarah Fox, the chief city planner, and other staff for their work on the first phase of planning for the subzone of the North Shore.

“I know there has been a lot of outreach and some tough meetings,” Carter said, referring to the planning team’s efforts throughout the year to involve the community in creating the statement. North Shore eight point view.

“We had seven months of outreach and conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders on their visions for the North Shore,” Fox told Camas planning commissioners in August. “We really had a great turnout throughout this project. “

Fox told city councilors earlier this month at a September 8 council workshop that the second phase of planning for the North Shore subzone would allow the city to create new regulations and policies that would help the region to develop in a unique and community-oriented way.

“It allows us to plan what we want in an area instead of just reacting,” Fox said. “If a business buys 400 acres and goes ahead with what the zoning allows it to do today, it would have the right as a landowner to go ahead, (and) maybe the current codes in place are not very consistent with what we imagine the area to be in 20 years.

Now is a good time to “fine tune the regulations” so that North Shore can be more like the mixed-use, environmentally conscious area that many residents of Camas have expressed a desire for.

The Côte-Nord vision statement is the result of a public awareness campaign that began in August 2019 and included high school students, hundreds of community members, stakeholder groups and homeowners. property managers and municipal representatives of the Côte-Nord.

Of the 800 acres included in the North Shore, 270 acres are public property and the rest are privately owned.

Here is the text of the Vision Statement for the North Shore unanimously approved by municipal councilors on Monday:

Preserve the natural beauty and environmental health of the Côte-Nord. Policies, regulations and design rules must protect important trees, groves of trees and surrounding lakes. Identify and preserve the views of the wooded hill and the lake.

Plan a network of green spaces and recreational opportunities. Integrate a variety of parks, playgrounds, trails and open spaces in residential and employment areas throughout the Côte-Nord region. Create a “green corridor” along the lake that complements the heritage trail, provides access to the lake and protects the lake from adjacent developments.

Cluster uses for a community within walking distance. Concentrate homes near schools and around shopping nodes so residents can meet daily needs without driving. Use sidewalks, footpaths and bike paths to connect residents to neighborhood destinations.

Provide a variety of housing options. Plan for different types of housing to suit different incomes, sizes and stages of life.

Locate industrial parks and shopping malls to the north. Protect the environmental integrity of the lake and the aesthetic quality of the area by installing light industrial uses and offices away from the lake and adjacent to the airport. Encourage commercial activity along high traffic corridors, such as Northeast Everett Street.

Favor local businesses. Encourage small local businesses such as restaurants, cafes and grocery stores that serve residents and businesses of the North Shore, while complementing downtown Camas.

Plan the schools and the necessary infrastructure. Ensure that adequate roads, schools and public services are in place prior to development. Invest in transportation improvements, such as a new road through the North Shore and Northeast Everett Street improvements to minimize traffic impacts and maximize safety.

Strive to maintain the small town vibe of Camas. Maintain the city’s quality of life through progressive and sustainable growth that contributes to the community character.

For more information on the North Shore, visit camasnorthshore.com.