2023-08-23 South Chehalis UGA Design projectSouth Chehalis UGA Design project update
August 23, 2023
10 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Eric Eisenberg, Joe
Clark, Todd Chaput, Nic Scott, Eric Sonnenberg, Justin Phelps, Lance Bunker, Becky Butler
Guest(s):
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Eric Eisenberg, Joe Clark and Todd Chaput discussed rapid growth expected in Chehalis and its southern
urban growth area (UGA). They discussed the need for Chehalis, the Port of Chehalis, the county, Twin
Transit and other partners – such as Economic Alliance, Napavine, the Chehalis School District, the PUD,
the State Department of Transportation and the governor’s office – to work together to address:
• Utility constraints
• Housing
• Land use
• Development
• Roads and transit
• Public facilities
Eric proposed the formation of a South Chehalis / UGA Design (SCUD) project team to address:
• Housing, attainable in price
• Family-wage jobs
• Well-equipped schools
• Minimal traffic, ample parking
• Walkable amenities
The group discussed the need for collaborative planning regarding utilities (such as water, sewer, power,
broadband, stormwater); roads; transit; and housing/land use. They identified the location focus as the
Market / Jackson Highway area.
The group noted that Twin Transit already has hired a consultant to conduct a utility assessment for the
area and that a steering group is meeting bimonthly.
The commissioners expressed interest in the SCUD project and directed staff to continue working on it.
Meeting adjourned at 10:46 a.m.