Commissioners vote 2-1 to proceed with housing land purchase

Wahkiakum county commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to proceed with the purchase of land for affordable housing and office development.

The county's Department of Health and Human Services has been working for nearly two years to purchase the property from the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

The purchase price is $123,353.08, plus closing costs, and will be paid from county funds raised specifically for housing assistance.

The parcel of land is located adjacent to the new Town of Cathlamet wastewater treatment plant on SR 4.

Chris Holmes, director of county social services, said an environmental review of the parcel showed only one problem, a small wetland adjacent to the ditch along SR 4. The wetland wouldn't impact development of the property, he said. Department staff and two advisory committees recommended the county proceed with the purchase, he said.

"The bottom line is that everything came up positive," Holmes said. "These funds come directly from dedicated housing funds."

Commissioners Blair Brady and Dan Cothren voted to go ahead with the purchase, and Commissioner Mike Backman voted against it.

Backman said the plan description was vague and cited concerns over site suitability and whether or not the housing funds were being used correctly.

The site is near the highway, which is a potential danger to youngsters who might live in the development, he said. It's adjacent to a sewage treatment plant and could be affected by smells from that plant.

As for the dedicated housing funds, he questioned whether or not it is proper to spend that money on a site that will also have social service and other offices on it.

Holmes responded that development would occur in stages, with a first phase of 20-40 apartment units. The second phase would involve a county-wide study of housing needs which would lead to a decision on the mix of further housing development.

Part of the mix would be to locate Health and Human Services offices onto one campus--they are now split--and possibly include a health clinic.

"That's been our plan all along," Holmes said. He added that if a piece of the property isn't used for housing, funds would be split off and returned to the affordable housing fund.

"In a nutshell, housing money will not be used for other things," he said.

Health and Human Services Director Sue Cameron added that contemporary sewage treatment plants have very little, if any impact on neighbors.

"Also, this is about access and privacy," she said. "We do not have those things right now. I'm here for clients' privacy and respect.

"We want to have totally integrated services. If someone comes up to our facility, they'll get the services they need."

Backman responded that the focus should be on housing.

"Today's thing is about housing," he said, "but we have spent most of our time talking about integrated services and offices. They're not connected. You're not talking about housing.

"That's the part I find upsetting. When you read your blurb, it's about offices and services."

Holmes countered that housing is the whole issue.

"With respect, today is about purchase of the property," he said. "Without it, we can't go any further."

"Housing has been discussed all along," commission chair Brady commented. "The property is needed. I think a one stop shop is a great thing."

Commissioner Cothren moved to proceed with the purchase. Brady seconded the motion, and it passed 2-1 with Backman opposed.