Following months of pushback from locals, the Battle Ground City Council will not follow the city Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow higher-density housing near its airfield.
The debate over the potential rezoning of the 78.67-acre airpark district arose after a developer, representing the Lawson family — owners of approximately 27 acres north of the airstrip within the airpark zone — requested zoning changes to ease development restrictions. During its Monday, Aug. 19, meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to maintain the airpark zone.
The airpark zone, which includes a privately owned, public-use airport, allows for detached single-family homes, of which there are currently seven. Only businesses supporting airport operations, such as restaurants, repair shops or storage facilities, are permitted under the existing zoning regulations. Battle Ground’s Planning Commission recommended rezoning the airpark to either allow light-industrial developments or to allow higher-density housing. The board advised the council to permit three housing units per acre, R-3 zoning, thereby enabling higher-density housing adjacent to the airstrip. This recommendation received heavy criticism from the aviation community and neighbors, as they feared an increase in nearby residences could lead to new neighbors pushing for the airport’s closure.
Airpark homeowners and local pilots voiced heavy opposition to the potential rezoning since May, arguing this recommendation would conflict with airpark operations. At a meeting on June 17, council members suggested they would consider rezoning the airpark to R-3 if a committee, including airpark property owners and the Lawsons, could not reach a compromise. Although the committee did not meet after that discussion, city staff recommended a compromise during last week’s Aug. 19 meeting. The city will maintain the airpark district’s current designation while working with the Lawsons and neighbors to explore commercial or light-industrial development options. Rather than rezoning the airpark, the City Council will approve non-residential development options suitable for airpark adjacency.
Airpark homeowner Kathy McAleer expressed relief at the decision, noting that this option avoids higher-density housing, which she believes would increase the likelihood of a future shutdown. Additionally, McAleer said that the airpark property’s covenants, conditions and restrictions clause (CC&R) will be amended to align with the city’s zoning ordinance, which would ease development restrictions for the Lawsons.
"The [vote] was a little unexpected but positive," McAleer said. "I’m pleased with the outcome, and I was pleased with the community support for the airpark."
Mayor Troy McCoy hopes the option will better utilize the property for job creation. He pointed out that the City of Camas boasts roughly $2 billion in value higher than Battle Ground despite its similar population due to its job growth.
"I would love to see … actual working Flight Training Pilots actual classes in the heartbeat of the city instead of just a grass field that some people can land on. That is so underutilized to the city of Battle Ground,” McCoy said.
City staff will present compatible development options to the council in an October meeting.
