HomeMy WebLinkAboutCONSENT Letter of Support Chimacum Commons JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Josh D. Peters, County Administrator
FROM: Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner
DATE: August 25, 2025
SUBJECT: Chimacum Commons letter of support
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Olympic Housing Trust and Jefferson Land Trust have requested a letter of support for their grant application
for the Chimacum Commons affordable housing project to Dept. of Commerce's Housing Trust Fund. They
are seeking to demonstrate strong local support from Jefferson County and have requested a letter signed by
our three commissioners.
ANALYSIS:
We are keenly aware of the need for housing in our community and that workforce housing is a particular
need we have. Beyond that, Chimacum Commons is consistent with at least three goals of the current
Comprehensive Plan, including:
1. Land Use Goal 2: Encourage compact, well-designed rural development that minimizes sprawl,
protects rural character, and efficiently uses infrastructure.
2. Land Use Goal 4, supporting opportunities to provide a variety of affordable housing types for county
residents
3. Land Use Goal 16, ensuring development protects the natural beauty of Jefferson County
This project clearly aligns with existing Comprehensive Plan priorities and the desire to see more innovative
projects which showcase collaboration between nonprofits and government to generate more workforce
housing in Jefferson County.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Sign letter and return to Olympic Housing Trust.
REVIEWED BY:
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Jos D. Peters, County Administrator Date
Co jss Board of CountyCommissioners
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° v� 1820 Jefferson Street
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
-jl •c° feather Dudley-Nollette,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
August 19, 2025
Washington State Department of Commerce
Housing Trust Fund Program
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504
Re: Support for Chimacum Commons Affordable Housing Project
To Whom It May Concern:
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners is pleased to support the Chimacum Commons affordable
housing project, led by Olympic Housing Trust in partnership with Jefferson Land Trust.This initiative
responds to Jefferson County's urgent need for more affordable workforce housing while demonstrating
the power of collaboration between local nonprofits and government.
Chimacum Commons is consistent with the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan, advancing key
priorities including compact, well-designed rural development (Goal 2), providing a variety of affordable
housing types (Goal 4), and ensuring development protects the natural beauty of our county(Goal 16).
Located in the heart of the Chimacum Valley, this project will create affordable homes that allow workers
and families to live near their jobs, strengthening both our local economy and community life. Its
thoughtful design balances housing needs with stewardship of our rural character and natural resources.
We respectfully encourage the Department of Commerce to invest Housing Trust Fund dollars in
Chimacum Commons, a project that aligns state and local priorities and will serve Jefferson County for
generations.
Sincerely,
Heather Dudley-Nollette Heidi Eisenhour Greg Brotherton
District 1 District 2,Chair District 3
Phone (360)385-9100 jeftboccco.jefferson.wa.us