CAMAS MILL DISTRICT PLAN
Discussion Draft
January 6, 2026
defined in Washington law. Nor can Camas accept a cleanup with mandatory land use restrictive covenants. Large blocks of mill property could be a location for corporate campuses and support innovation hubs. Representing two-miles of the city’s waterfront, an entire island bisecting a freeway, the Mill District is the city’s future and encourages the opportunity to “think big.” The Mill District respects the Camas Mill as foundational to the City of Camas. The Mill District respects the need for mill’s current family-wage jobs and opportunities continue through industrial use. Future mixed-used development shall consider, and be consistent with, existing industrial uses shown in Attachment One as blue-shaded areas. Future industrial use of current operational lands, consistent with current environmental standards, is encouraged. Future Mill District development shall conform to Washington’s leadership for environmental justice. Residents of the Mill District include all levels of housing a ff ordability. It is a place for new households to form and job seekers like teachers and public safety and other city sta ff . All residents shall have equal access to transportation alternatives including to neighboring city employment centers to allow access to a livelihood. With the amount of city diesel equipment downtown, and the uncontrollable diesel contaminants, the City of Camas will work to electrify its fleet over the next 20 years to reduce the current exposure As the Home of Earth Day, the Mill District includes protection and restoration of the riverfront and Camas Slough. This recognizes the need to serve tribal, resource and recreational needs as developed with a master plan. Camas can be known for its miles of waterfront trails through restored wetlands and sustainable development along the Columbia. Camas can be a partner with tribal governments such as the Yakama Nation. They are on record supporting “[T]he restoration of natural resources impacted by the past, current, and future releases of hazardous waste in order to make the public whole and further tribal Treaty rights .” 23
Development of a regional hotel/conference center, to serve existing and future Camas businesses as well as increasing tourism, is encouraged. This includes tourism recognizing how Camas’ natural resources shaped the embryonic southwest labor movement and created national and international environmental standards. With a burgeoning creative community, typified by the Artisans’ Guild of Camas, the Mill District would o ff er opportunities for the creative arts, as well as public art installations. The Mill District recognizes regional trends in East Email dated September 23, 2023 copied to Camas City Council 23 Page of 18 35
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