Information

Type: Legal Notice

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: TBD

Business Meeting: Aug. 8, 2023

Summary:

Notice of hearing regarding Ordinance 1347, which would repeal and replace Chapter 8.60 to prohibit unauthorized camping and parking on county property and make a violation thereof a misdemeanor. The hearing will be Aug. 22.

Publications: The Chronicle, Aug. 8 and 10

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, the public health and safety concerns related to encampments and unauthorized parking have generated citizen complaints and resulted in the unsanitary disposal of garbage and solid waste; and

WHEREAS, behaviors associated with encampments and unauthorized parking have resulted in a variety of problems that include, but are not limited to: uncontained fires; damage to trees, landscaping, public lands, and other natural areas; contaminated hypodermic needles left on the ground; and biohazards such as exposed human waste; and

WHEREAS, there are threats to the health and safety of the campers themselves and to the community; and

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a public hearing to take public testimony about and then consider passage of proposed Ordinance 1347, which would prohibit unauthorized camping and parking on county property and the specified area beyond the edge of roadway surfaces; and

WHEREAS, the hearing will take place at or after 10 a.m. Aug. 22, 2023, in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the second floor of the historic courthouse at 351 N.W. North Street in Chehalis.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC will hold a public hearing in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the second floor of the historic courthouse at 351 NW North Street in Chehalis at or after 10 a.m. Aug. 22, 2023, to consider and take public testimony about proposed Ordinance 1347, which would (1) prohibit unauthorized camping and parking on county property and the specified area beyond the edge of roadway surfaces; and (2) repeal and replace Chapter 8.60 of Lewis County Code which would also make a violation thereof a misdemeanor; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Board is hereby instructed to proceed with all appropriate and necessary notifications, postings, and publications as required by law.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 8th day of August, 2023.