WHITE SALMON — Parking reform was the focal point of White Salmon’s City Council meeting on Feb. 19, along with the uses permitted in commercial zones and public comment regarding events that occurred at council’s meeting earlier this month.
With Mayor Marla Keethler absent and Councilor Jason Hartmann at the helm, they eased government-mandated, off-street parking requirements for single-family and multiplex residential districts, or R1 and R2, in a 5-0 vote. As a major barrier to affordable, more dense development, the changes reflect goals outlined in White Salmon’s Housing Action Plan and in state law.
Under the previous code, all structures in R1 and R2 districts must have at least two off-street parking spaces that are 10 feet wide and 20 feet long at minimum. Now, units less than 800 square feet need only one, nine-by-18-foot off-street parking space and units above that threshold still require two spaces of the same size. While eager to address parking, some councilors believed the new ordinance didn’t go far enough.
“We have done the bare minimum in relation to that housing action plan,” said Councilor Jim Ransier. “If our goal is to increase density, to encourage more building on existing lots, certainly this helps, but it feels like a small step versus a giant leap.”
Ransier emphasized that, in most parts of the city, there is plenty of on-street parking, so there wouldn’t be a dire shortage without mandated off-street parking. In agreement, Councilor Patty Fink questioned how the planning commission decided on the 800-square-foot limit, arguing it could be higher.
“If we were to look at the permits to build a house in White Salmon, you would find most of the houses in White Salmon are at least over 2,000 square feet, and so this actually does nothing in that sense,” said Fink.
Councilors Ben Giant and Hartmann, however, did see the ordinance as a step forward. Giant said he was uncomfortable making any significant changes after much deliberation by the planning commission and an extensive amount of public outreach, which planning consultant Michael Mehaffy reported was mixed in terms of support.
In the end, Fink convinced council to add a stipulation regarding accessible dwelling units (ADUs) to the ordinance. If an existing house does not meet the necessary number of parking spaces but wants to construct an ADU, it will only have to meet the ADU-specific requirements, which are 0.5 off-street spaces for each ADU, or one for a singular ADU.
Next, council deliberated on whether to allow schools and daycares, of 50 or less children, faculty and staff, to be a permitted use instead of a conditional use in commercial zones, a much more flexible designation. During his presentation, Mehaffy emphasized the need to shift away from restrictive zoning, which can prevent key needs from being met.
“The previous generation of zoning has resulted in — I think we’re all aware — of exclusion and segregation of different populations, induced demand for driving, much greater costs for permitting and construction, declining availability of affordable housing and many other serious problems.”
Fink pressed Mehaffy to ensure White Salmon’s planning team could manage these facilities as they come about, but council eventually passed the ordinance in a 5-0 vote.
Prior to the business items, six people expressed their support for Mayor Keethler and her leadership during public comment. As previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, a former city planner made several accusations against Keether at council’s Feb. 5 meeting.
“What took place at the last council meeting was a verbal assault designed to denigrate a person in an environment where they had no way to defend themselves. That doesn’t make White Salmon a better place,” said Ryan Dougherty, Keethler’s husband.
“I would encourage the public to read between the lines here ... I feel as if she is being unfairly scapegoated,” said resident Leslie Naramore. “The city has made great strides during her time in office, and I would hate to see that progress halted over these petty differences, and in my opinion, one-sided reporting at the time of writing that article.”
Columbia Gorge News reached out to Keethler for additional comment after the Feb. 5 meeting, and included her response in the subsequent article. Among those comments, Keethler said in an email, “I take very seriously the responsibility of upholding the integrity of the office and ensuring a safe work environment for everyone employed by the city.”
The former employee who made the accusations declined to speak with Columbia Gorge News further, and others implicated in the matter either chose not to speak or did so off the record.
“I’ve had a lot of bosses,” said Mike Hepner, chief of the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department. “[Marla’s] the best, most amazing employer that I’ve ever had. She leads by example.”
Beyond the testimony from former Clerk-Treasurer Stephanie Porter, Hepner wished the newspaper had reached out to other city employees as well. Columbia Gorge News has submitted two public records requests to substantiate the claims made. Usually compiled by a person no longer at the city, those requests have not been completed yet, but Columbia Gorge News is committed to investigating the claims further. Ultimately, what is said in public meetings is public, and Columbia Gorge News collectively decided the statements couldn’t be ignored.
After very little discussion, council also approved the Tree Protection Ordinance in a 5-0 vote. With benefits like improved air quality and stormwater filtration, the ordinance seeks to mitigate the loss of tree canopy from development with more straightforward standards. Moreover, it establishes a process for nominating heritage trees and includes language about defensible space and Firewise guidance.
Lastly, council officially separated the clerk treasurer position into two roles: clerk and finance director. Jennifer Neil, who was the fiscal services manager for Klickitat County, will start as White Salmon’s new finance director on March 3. Troy Rosenburg is currently serving as the deputy clerk.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the next city council meeting is March 5 in the White Salmon Fire Hall.
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