Without much population growth projected in the coming two decades, what to do with Clinton’s commercial core will be the topic of discussion next week during a meeting with Island County planners.

Hosted by the Clinton Community Council, planners will lay out what exists in Clinton’s main business hub along Highway 525 and listen to suggestions. They may be limited in what can be done in the rural area of intense development (or RAID), a title outlined in the Growth Management Act that can restrict growth and provides little flexibility for new development.

Some property and parcel zoning is inconsistent with existing uses, such as residential homes that are located on land zoned rural commercial. Some zoning swaps may be needed as a fix, residents say.

During a discussion of the upcoming Thursday, Nov. 5 meeting, resident Doug Grant said his property was one of those that may need a change.

“(If) my house burns down, I can’t rebuild it,” he said.

His property is technically zoned for rural commercial — it was grandfathered in as a residence, but any future development would have to be commercial.

The planning meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Clinton Community Hall, 6411 Central Ave.