The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County commissioners discussed their comprehensive plan and other issues in a 25-minute meeting Tuesday.

Lily Kolditz, a member of the commission's Real Property Rights Advisory Committee, said that board has been examining the work done a few years ago to begin updating the county comprehensive land use plan. They discussed that update with the county planning commission at a recent meeting, and they feel the draft needs to be changed to keep the plan from tying the county to onerous land use controls.

Kolditz suggested the board seek a legal opinion to find out if updating the plan will bind the county to the state Growth Management Act, which hasn't applied to small counties such as Wahkiakum.

Commission Chair Dan Cothren welcomed the suggestion.

"Let's run that by our attorney," he said. "We're exempt from the Growth Management Act."

Kolditz recommended the board reject the updated plan.

"It's way too dangerous," she said. "You need to get the problematic language out of the plan."

Commissioners also revisited a claim for damages from a Puget Island couple who are seeking $472.52 to repair damage caused when a county snow plow sprayed rock on their car.

Commissioners recently rejected the claim, thinking it was two years old, but the couple appealed, saying the claim was submitted within the county's time limits.

"It seems like it was a long time ago, 2012, but still within the allotted time," said Commissioner Mike Backman.

"If it were me, I would have gone to insurance right away," Cothren said. "What's to say the damage didn't happen after. It would have been nice to have pictures."

A member of the audience pointed out that the claim stated the damage occurred December 10, 2013; that the couple had informed the County Road Department; that a road crew foreman investigated and took photos; and that the claim, with an estimate from a body shop, was filed on April 15 of this year.

The commissioners checked the dates and agreed to postpone action.

"Let me talk to (the foreman)," Cothren said.