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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051 VCAJEFFERSON COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE 621 Sheridan Street | Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-379-4450 | dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us www.co.jefferson.wa.us/codecompliance VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT July 31, 2025 Robert Carson P.O. Box 181 Port Gamble, WA 98364 Case No.: Parcel Numbers: Site Address: COM SDP2025-00006 965100009, 965100010, 965100011 No site address Re: Voluntary Compliance Agreement Dear Robert Carson: Case Background Unauthorized development has occurred on the above-referenced parcels, in violation of the Jefferson County Code (JCC), including the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). Shoreline jurisdiction extends 200 feet landward of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) and the shoreland designation for the three parcels is Natural. The shoreline buffer width is 150 feet and the building setback is 10 feet. The unpermitted development occurs within the shoreline buffer, and must be either permitted or removed. Section 1- Summary of Violations Violations on the three parcels include, but may not be limited to, placement of containers on the property, installation of rock cages, placement of gravel, installation of utility lines, and stockpiling of materials on the property. Development and uses, including ground-disturbing activities, within shoreline jurisdiction require permits. JCC Titles in violation: The unpermitted development is in violation of the following: • Chapter 18.25 JCC – SMP. JCC 18.25.020 – Applicability: The unpermitted use of the three parcels meets the definition of development in JCC 18.25.100(4)(g). • Chapter 18.22 JCC – Critical Areas. The SMP incorporates critical areas. At a minimum, the proposal will need to address development within a 150-foot-wide fish and wildlife habitat conservation area buffer and a geologically hazardous area. • JCC 18.30.060 (Grading and Excavation Standards) and 18.30.070 (Stormwater Management Standards). Ground-disturbing activities have occurred that would have been subject to review for these two development standards. • JCC 18.30.060(4) states all land-disturbing activities within critical areas require a stormwater permit regardless of the thresholds. Section 2: Corrective Actions with Deadlines: This Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) must be signed by the property owner and returned to Department of Community Development (DCD) within 14 days (or by August 14, 2025). The property JEFFERSON COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE 621 Sheridan Street | Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-379-4450 | dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us www.co.jefferson.wa.us/codecompliance owner must also submit a schedule for removing or obtaining ‘after-the-fact’ permits, not to exceed two years. The submitted schedule would need to be reviewed and approved by DCD by August 18, 2025. By entering into this VCA you are acknowledging that: a. the county may enter the property and inspect the premises as may be necessary to determine compliance with the voluntary correction agreement; b. you waive the right to administratively appeal the existence of the conditions and the fact that they constituted a nuisance; and c. If a notice of noncompliance is issued and not successfully appealed, you are subject to and liable for any remedy authorized by this chapter, which includes the assessment of the monetary penalties identified in the voluntary compliance agreement and an assessment of the costs incurred by the county to pursue compliance with this chapter (such as, legal, administrative, hearing, removal, and incidental costs), and the suspension, revocation or limitation of a development permit. Right to a Hearing or Administrative Appeal Waived: By entering into a voluntary correction agreement, you voluntarily and knowingly waive the right to a hearing or administrative appeal before the hearing examiner, under this chapter or otherwise, regarding the matter of the violation or the required corrective action. However, a notice of noncompliance with the voluntary correction agreement may be administratively appealed to the hearing examiner under JCC 19.35.015 or JCC 19.40.015. Effect of Voluntary Correction Agreement. Upon entering into a voluntary correction agreement, you admit that the conditions described in the voluntary correction agreement existed and constituted a violation; and agree that if the director issues a notice of noncompliance, and if the notice of noncompliance is not successfully challenged through administrative appeal, that you are liable for the monetary penalty available under JCC 19.30.010. You are liable for the costs incurred by the county to pursue compliance with this chapter and to abate the nuisance, including legal and incidental expenses as provided for in JCC 19.30.020 and is subject to all other remedies provided for in this chapter. Extension and Modification. The director may grant an extension of the time limit for correction or a modification of the required corrective action if you have shown due diligence or substantial progress in correcting the nuisance, but unforeseen circumstances have made full and timely correction under the original conditions unattainable. Failure to Meet Terms of Voluntary Correction Agreement. (a) Notice of Noncompliance. If this department determines that terms of the voluntary correction agreement are not completely met, the director may issue a notice of noncompliance. The notice of noncompliance shall also include the monetary penalty to be imposed based upon the failure to comply with the voluntary correction agreement. (b) Appeal. Any person responsible may appeal the facts and conclusions described in the notice of noncompliance as provided by JCC 19.40.015 JEFFERSON COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE 621 Sheridan Street | Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-379-4450 | dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us www.co.jefferson.wa.us/codecompliance (c) Abatement, Costs, and Penalties for Noncompliance. If the director issues a notice of noncompliance and the notice of noncompliance is not successfully challenged through appeal as provided by JCC 19.40.015, then: (i) The department may abate the nuisance in accordance with this chapter without the person responsible being issued a notice of violation, stop work order, or notice of violation and order of abatement; (ii) The person responsible shall be assessed a monetary penalty commencing on the date set for correction in the notice of noncompliance and thereafter, in accordance with JCC 19.30.010 or the penalty provisions of the voluntary correction agreement, plus all costs incurred by the county to pursue compliance with this chapter and to abate the nuisance in accordance with JCC 19.30.020. (iii) You may be subject to other remedies authorized by this chapter. If you agree to these terms, please indicate your agreement by signing and dating below. Thank you for your cooperation. Respectfully, Code Compliance Coordinator Jefferson County 621 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone 360-379-4462 I agree to the terms outlined above. NAME Date _______________________________________________________________________________