Centralians Speak Out Against Development During Council Meeting; Councilors Vote to Scale Back Zoning Proposal

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Those entering Centralia City Hall on Tuesday night were met with a crowd of protesters as the Centralia City Council heard public comments on the proposed development of the former Centralia golf course for the first time.

“I think putting that many houses on that small of a space is wrong,” said a 75-year-old Centralia man participating in the protest. The man, who only gave his first name of Hal, said the city should be looking to add development to “areas that are more level and not as critical to flooding where people can live without having to worry about the environment.”

Residents living near the former golf course property adjacent to Seminary Hill have for weeks voiced concerns about a proposed housing development with up to 387 housing units.

The former golf course is located in a valley between Seminary Hill and Ham Hill.

Judy Lundquist, 83, said she’s lived in the neighborhood around the former golf course for 55 years.

“I think their plans are very secretive about what they’re going to be doing to those of us who live there,” Lundquist said.

Two other residents, couple Connie Brown Deach, 59, and Larry Deach, 65, expressed concern about damage to the quality of life of residents the development would cause.

“The golf course is a beautiful natural area … which it won’t be anymore,” Brown Deach said. “Everything will get worse. Basically we’re trying to save our community.”

“There’s going to be a lot more theft,” Deach added.

After the council meeting began and public comment on the proposed development was opened, Centralia residents in attendance expressed their disapproval of the proposed upzoning.

Residents touched on a variety of issues. The potential worsening of already existing traffic caused by passing trains was raised as an issue by multiple residents. One resident criticized the city for working with developers from outside the local area.

“A developer from Bellevue probably really doesn’t care about Centralia,” one attendee said.

A second person thought potential development would be detrimental to the area’s quality of life.



“Make this a place people want to live and not just a place that’s cheaper,” the person told the council.

One girl raised concerns about the displacement of wildlife, remembering how during a school visit to Seminary Hill she saw a bear.

There were also conflicting views about what should ultimately be done with the land. One resident told the council the former golf course land should be turned into a green space while another asked the land be zoned to R-4 rather than R-8 density. But whatever their differing views on what should ultimately happen to the golf course, those who spoke out against the proposal all had at least one thing in common — their words were met with loud applause from the audience.

After hearing from the public, the councilors shared their thoughts on the proposed development for the first time. Nearly all council members said they were concerned with upzoning the land from R-2, single-family zoning, to R-8, which allows for full apartment style residences. Councilor Cameron McGee said he believed the land was a good place to put development but believed R-8 was too high of a density.

“I want to make wise decisions for our entire community,” Councilor Sarah Althauser said. “(But) R-8, I’m definitely not for that.”

Max Vogt expressed sympathy with the protesters but said he thinks development is necessary.

“No one wants this in their backyard. I wouldn’t want this in my backyard,” Vogt said. “I do not support R-8. I’m definitely leaning towards an R-4 for this.”

Councilor Elizabeth Cameron also had a negative reaction to the R-8 zoning proposal.

“I grew up in an apartment and I know how horrible that was,” Cameron said while emphasizing the importance of green space.

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston said she was opposed to converting the golf course to green space but won't support anything over R-4, which allows duplexes, for zoning.

Councilors Mark Westley and Leah Daarud both said they wanted to see more information before a final decision was made.

After the council had finished discussing the zoning proposal, the council voted six to one to change the proposal for zoning the golf course from R-8 density to R-4.