At the public hearing on October 7, 2025, the Skamania County Planning Commission voted to recommend Option One to the Skamania County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for zoning unmapped lands in Underwood. This recommendation included a combination of two zoning designations: residential 10-acre (R10) and commercial (CRL-40). Five commissioners (Ken Bajema, Ray Broughton, Anita Gahimer Crow, Ann Birkenfeld Leuders, and Michael Wilber) voted in favor of Option One. Two commissioners (Sarah Perry and Paul Hendricks) voted in favor of Option Four.

A total of 65 written and spoken comments were received. 11% of the public were in favor of Option 1, which supports property rights by granting Broughton Lumber’s zoning request. The majority of feedback opposed residential zoning, with nearly 70% of commenters favoring Option 4 and/or generally opposing residential zoning in the area, citing concerns about protecting forest resource lands, maintaining rural character, extreme fire danger, and Underwood’s limited water resources.

Overall, public sentiment favored ongoing community interest in protecting forest resource lands in Skamania County and maintaining the area’s rural character.

The Planning Commission initially considered various zoning options for unmapped parcels in Underwood. Community members interested in learning more about the options originally considered can find additional information here. During October’s public hearing, the planning commission considered only the following:

OPTION ONE

This is the option that the Planning Commission recommended to the BOCC. It designates most of the land for resource or forestry use (CRL-40) but allows some areas—specifically two parcels totaling 285.55 acres—to be zoned Residential 10 (R-10).

• Broughton Lumber Co (160 acres): Commercial Resource Lands 40 (CRL-40)
• Broughton Lumber Co (249.65 acres): Residential 10 (R-10)
• TCT Columbia Holdings LLC (1617.63 acres): Commercial Resource Lands 40 (CRL-40)
• State of Washington (35.9 acres): Residential 10 (R-10)

OPTION FOUR

This is the other option that was considered at the public hearing. It would have designated all unmapped lands as Commercial Resource Lands 40 (CRL-40), and all four parcels would have been zoned Commercial Resource Lands 40 (CRL-40).

A total of 65 comments were received (written and spoken):

• 45 opposed residential zoning, supporting CRL-40 or a compromise
• 1 supported keeping all lands unmapped
• 7 favored R10 zoning
• 1 requested not to zone DNR land
• 11 were general complaints or otherwise unrelated comments

The Skamania County Board of County Commissioners will review the Planning Commission’s recommendation and make the final determination in an upcoming meeting (date to be determined). If the BOCC chooses to deviate from the Planning Commission’s recommendation, they will be required to hold another public hearing. There will be another opportunity to submit public comments to county commissioners prior to the adoption of the new zoning.

Community members who wish to submit further comments may do so by contacting local commissioners directly before the next meeting or by attending the next BOCC meeting in person to provide their comments.

Planning Commission Members

District 1: Ken Bajema (Vice-Chair), Sarah Perry
District 2: Paul Hendricks, Ray Broughton
District 3: Anita Gahimer Crow, Ann Birkenfeld Leuders
At-Large: Michael Wilber (Chair)

Email: planningcommissioners@co.skamania.wa.us
Phone: (503) 427-3900

County Commissioners

District 1
Brian Nichols
(509) 427-3701
nichols@co.skamania.wa.us

District 2
Robert Farris
(509) 427-3702
farris@co.skamania.wa.us

District 3
Asa Leckie
(509) 427-3703
leckie@co.skamania.wa.us

Stay current on events, information, resources, and community happenings with our community newsletter. We’ll deliver news from the UPRD and Friends of Underwood once a month and occasionally send event updates and notices, too. You can opt-out anytime, and we’ll never sell or share your information with others.