Amid vocal public opposition, confusion over public process and a meeting interrupted by outbursts, the La Center City Council narrowly approved controversial growth plans on Wednesday, June 25, in a 3-2 vote.
The vote finalizes the adoption of the Downtown and Timmen Landing subarea plans, key pieces of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The move follows about two years of community workshops, advisory committee meetings and public surveys meant to satisfy the requirements of the state’s Growth Management Act, which mandates cities plan for anticipated population increases.
The adopted subarea plans outline future land uses, development intensity and infrastructure upgrades across two areas: roughly 103 acres in the historic Downtown core and about 153 acres in the Timmen Landing area along Northwest La Center Road. The Downtown plan supports a mixed-use, walkable center with commercial, residential and civic spaces.
Timmen Landing calls for higher-density housing in its center with neighborhood-scale commercial and low-density homes on its edges. Both plans include transportation upgrades and environmental protections, including a conceptual roundabout on Northwest La Center Road to Northwest Timmen Road, the intersection connecting the city’s main thoroughfare with the proposed subarea in Timmen Landing.
While proponents on the La Center City Council and staff pointed to two years of community engagement, many residents at the meeting said they were unaware of the process. A large crowd packed city hall, some forced to stand due to overflow. The meeting began with residents expressing frustration as the mayor and two council members were attending virtually, and public comment did not allow for “back-and-forth” conversation.
Mayor Tom Strobehn and councilmembers KC Kasberg and Myrna Leija attended the meeting remotely from the Association of Washington Cities conference in Kennewick.
Resident Kimberlee Goheen Elbon shouted from the crowd, demanding that the council postpone the vote and answer questions live.
“You’re not gonna talk about Timmen Landing or nothing. You’re gonna sit here and take all of our questions tonight,” she yelled.
City Attorney Janean Parker explained that “back and forth” conversations during public comment period, and especially during public hearings, were not authorized under the existing rules of the council, as state law demands.
Once the public hearing opened, longtime resident Al Philla called out the crowd for what he called a late arrival to the issue.
“Where were you six months ago when there were six people standing out here?” he said, referring to previous subarea plan workshops. “But you’re here now ... Maybe you’ll change your mind, maybe you won’t.”
Landowner Carolyn Defoe voiced concern that proposed zoning changes would strip her downtown property of value.
“It essentially strips my land of development potential and market value,” she said. “I’m asking you, our elected leaders, to support residents like me by avoiding policies that unintentionally cause harm.”
Resident David Tetz said the city failed to communicate the changes clearly, while acknowledging the city’s efforts.
“Maybe something more out of the box is necessary for something that affects people quite so intensely,” he said, suggesting the city needed more targeted outreach.
Peyton Sundin, a 23-year-old downtown homeowner, worried about increasing taxes and safety.
“It’s gonna bring crime,” she said. “La Center does not need apartments.”
Goheen Elbon, speaking again during the hearing, called the plan part of a larger ideological conspiracy.
“Is this growth about the love of money or can we phase in a new sustainability for what we have and be thankful?” she asked.
In response to criticism, council member Fox defended the process.
“We’ve done two public open houses at city hall, four community advisory committee meetings, four focus groups and five tabling sessions. This is not new information,” she said.
Several residents raised concerns about a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Northwest La Center Road and Northwest Timmen Road, calling it unsafe, unnecessary and burdensome to local traffic and freight. Farmer Doug Richmond warned the roundabout would be a logistical hazard for large agricultural vehicles and predicted traffic backups in winter conditions.
Fox also emphasized the regional pressure driving La Center’s growth.
“Ridgefield is the third-largest growing city in Washington state. We’re right next door, and Timmen Road connects the two of us,” she said. “If we don’t plan ahead, we’ll fall behind.”
She acknowledged public frustration but added, “Nothing ever stays the same, and La Center is not going to stay the same.”
Council members Melissa Fox, KC Kasberg and Myrna Leija voted in favor of the ordinance. Council members Elizabeth Cerveny and Sean Boyle opposed, citing the need to hear additional feedback. A single revision was made before approval, removing language that would have allowed cardrooms as a conditional use in the Downtown Gateway Overlay District under its subarea plan.
Cerveny asked the council to consider delaying the vote, citing concerns from residents who felt they hadn’t been heard.
“We are small enough that we can listen and have them on the agenda in another two weeks or four weeks or whatever it takes,” she said.
Mayor Tom Strobehn pushed back, citing years of workshops and the associated costs.
“We can table this and cost more money to the residents,” he said.
The city has already spent $331,415 on consultants WSP.
Despite claims of secrecy and haste, city officials reiterated that the process has been underway for over two years and several elements remain subject to future revisions.
“This is a concept. This is not set in stone,” Mayor Strobehn said. “There are changes that can happen, there are changes that are going to happen, and there (are) changes that are going to come from every corner of the city. Your voices are not silenced.”
