HomeMy WebLinkAbout145.Lafavour, D. 5-10_Comments to Jefferson County SMP
Michelle McConnell
From:lafav62@netzero.com
Sent:Monday, May 10, 2010 1:42 PM
To:Stewart, Jeff R. (ECY)
Subject:Comments to Jefferson County SMP
Attachments:Jefferson County SMP comments.doc
Categories:LASMP Public Comment
Mr. Stewart,
Attached is a letter with my comments to the Jefferson County Shoreline Management Plan update. I have
attached my letter to ensure you receive my comments before the comment period closes at 5 p.m. on May 11,
2010. I would be happy to mail you a signed copy of my letter for your records if you'd like. Please let me know
be email response if you'd like a signed letter.
Thank you for providing an opportunity to review and comment on the proposes SMP udpate.
Dana Lafavour
1
May 10, 2010
Jeffree Stewart, Shoreline Specialist
WA Department of Ecology
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
Subject: Comments to Jefferson County Shoreline Management Plan update
Mr. Stewart,
We received your invitation to comment on Jefferson County’s proposed Shoreline
Management Plan update and offer the following comments.
In general, the update is well written and is easily understood. For the most part the
update seems sound and well thought out. The only issue I have with the plan is the new
150 foot minimum buffer to marine shores (page 6-5, line 22). I feel this buffer is overly
restrictive. I understand the goal of the Plan is to protect the shoreline under the State’s
authority but having a 150’ buffer greatly impacts many current and future property
owners. I have seen many parcels of land for sale along the shorelines of Jefferson
County. Many of these properties may become undevelopable or at a minimum will have
their values degraded considerably by such a restrictive buffer requirement. People buy
waterfront property so they can enjoy the water view. Being forced to build 150’ back
seriously degrades the water view experience. If the Plan is approved with the 150’ buffer
as it is proposed, I believe Jefferson County will suffer an economic penalty as those
parcels which are still undeveloped will loss value. In addition, several people who
currently own undeveloped land will be stuck with something that only amounts to an over
priced campsite since there may not be enough room on the lot to meet the new buffer.
I believe a compromise can be met with a marine shoreline buffer of 75 feet instead of the
proposed 150 feet. A 75 foot buffer will still keep houses and structures back from the
shoreline so as not to give the appearance of a beach full of houses while still allowing the
property owner the opportunity for building where they can enjoy the water view they
desire. This compromise will help Jefferson County to grow economically as people
develop these parcels, thereby increasing the property value and tax revenues, and spend
more in the local economies.
Thanks you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed update to the Jefferson
County Shoreline Management Plan.
Mr. Dana M. Lafavour
Jefferson County address: Mailing address:
th
35 Turnagain Lane 1505 177 Ave NE
Quilcene, WA Bellevue, WA 98008
Email: lafav62@netzero.net