HomeMy WebLinkAbout65O_2025-0915 Black Point Advocates1
Cristina Haworth
From:Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Sent:Monday, September 15, 2025 9:20 AM
To:George Terry
Subject:FW: Community response: pleasant harbor development proposal
Emily Calkins
Planning Technician
SDR Lead
Dept. of Community Development
Ecalkins@co.jefferson.wa.us
360-379-4460
Monday-Thursday 9:00-12:00 1:00-4:30
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From: Black Point Advocates <blackpointadvocates@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2025 5:49 AM
To: Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: Community response: pleasant harbor development proposal
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on links if you are not expecting them.
September 2025
Jefferson County Community Development
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
To whom it may concern,
In regards to the proposed Pleasant Harbor development on Brinnon's Black Point, we are concerned that a dramatic increase in population
with minimal positive contribution will have an overall negative impact on both the community and environment.
During the 2020 census, Brinnon was home to under 1,000 residents, yet it hosts thousands of visitors each year thanks to its natural
beauty and small-town charm. By intending to increase the overall population of Brinnon with up to 890 households within a relatively
Exhibit 65O
2
small area consisting of just 8 parcels of land, the proposed development has the potential to radically transform of our community as is. In
contrast, a community with a population density comparable to its present surroundings would have a less dramatic impact overall and
would therefore be more welcome. Leaning on infrastructure designed for a small, tight-knit, rural area, such as our local roads and
schools, is certain to have a significant impact. How then does the Pleasant Harbor development plan to contribute to Brinnon? The
proposed onsite housing for staff is alarming as it indicates a desire to create jobs for those outside of the presently existing community
rather than hiring locally! Likewise, other proposed businesses and resources, such as the market and recreation center, are within the
gated property, likely furthering the exclusivity and lack of availability of these resources to the community at large. Increased tourist traffic
is encouraged by the development's plan as well, yet what respect is being given to preserve the integrity of the area's natural attractions?
Are guests supposed to be attracted to the development's opportunities alone? If so, what services make this proposed development so
specially attractive?
The onsite wastewater plant is of special concern because of its inevitable environmental impact. It is concerning that such a design could
be feasible within Jefferson County, where we value our waterways. Here, personal wastewater is carefully managed at the source, and
there is presently no large single-source wastewater outlet in the region. By planning a wastewater plant, this development is essentially
asking to become a large source of privately-generated pollution in an area celebrated for its clear, healthy water. This will lead to
irrevocable negative environmental effects on the entire surrounding area, increasing toxicity of local shellfish and creating eutrophic,
murky conditions in surrounding waters year-round, leading to fouled coastlines. Why should a private development be entitled to make
such a large-scale impact? Why can't septic design and in-ground filtration be utilized as it is elsewhere in the county, thus minimizing the
increases in both air and water pollution that are associated with wastewater treatment facilities? This development's private wastewater
facility has the potential to ruin its namesake harbor in addition to the nationally protected neighboring Duckabush estuary and a unique
Black Point lagoon. Fouling the atmosphere with wastewater treatment odors is undesirable as well, especially for established Black Point
residents. Will operations and management of this facility be privately conducted, despite its regional impact? Proposed storm ponds and
vegetative buffer appear to meet requirements at the bare minimum, once more displaying a true lack of concern by developers to manage
overall impact and be a good neighbor.
In addition to the potential for water pollution, considerations must be made for an influx of pollution from increases in artificial light,
noise, traffic, solid waste, and a decrease in air quality and natural space. Remember that this proposed development is presently home to
several species of animals, including coyote. The author of this letter has even spotted a bear from an adjacent roadway. It would be well-
advised to include larger natural buffer areas both within and surrounding the development in order to better mitigate such negative
environmental effects, as well as provide space for local wildlife to avoid confrontations with incoming residents. It is essential that all
roadway and neighborhood lights utilize natural glow technology or be low-intensity as not be visible from photosensitive areas, such as
Hood Canal, to protect and respect local wildlife. Natural buffers would help to minimize noise impact as well, and further soundproofing of
onsite structures would be appreciated.
Of course, a private, exclusive neighborhood that considerably outsizes its host town is going to make a considerable impact-but will it be
positive or negative? With a "conference center" planned for this densely-populated and minimally-mitigated private site, it begs the
question exactly how exclusive this new community plans to be, and why. The documentary Wild Wild Country illustrates the problems
such group dynamics can create in small towns like Brinnon, and this development's resultant environmental impacts are of special
concern. Please take the above considerations into account with great care, and remember the impacts your decisions will have on the
future of our environment and community.
Thank you for your time,
Residents of Brinnon
Exhibit 65O