HomeMy WebLinkAbout65T_2025-0916 Stroh-Stern1
Cristina Haworth
From:Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Sent:Tuesday, September 16, 2025 12:38 PM
To:George Terry
Subject:FW: changes to MPR
From: Beth Stroh-Stern <bethstrohstern@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 12:36 PM
To: Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: changes to MPR
ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click
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to : Jefferson County Planning Commission
re: the killing the goose that lays the golden egg
My husband and I have owned a cabin about 3 miles south of the MPR since May 2000. We have watched the
changes at Pleasant Harbor and Black Point and have been shocked that activities taking place were allowed
to go on. The same is not true for small land owners along the canal. We want to protect the special qualities of
our south county area lands and water for humans, fish and wildlife. I expect the county to hold developers to
the same strict requirements to keep our part of the county livable, yet attractive for owners and tourists.
Our south county area is rich with natural attractions which draw visitors from all over the world for;
hiking, mushrooming, fishing, boating, clamming, foraging, birding, camping and enjoying the rare
quietness that the national park offers. Tourists who come to quietly enjoy the exquisite beauty and
abundance of this area will be repelled by traffic jams on our two lane highway, going to an
overblown, manufactured 'Disneyworld' MPR event center.
Pleasant Harbor was a favorite for yacht club rendezvous in the 70s. ( my father's boating group
described Pleasant Harbor as "the most beautiful jewel of a harbor" in all of the Puget Sound) The
harbor was entirely surrounded by evergreens from the ridges down to the water with a few beach
cabins dotting the shore. The evergreen trees perfectly protected the harbor from wind and weather.
It was a safe harbor and included the needed amenities of the fuel dock, a small store a cafe and
laundry.
This developer is taking the trees away to put up his idea of attractions; ice hockey rinks, zip lines,
SUP and kayak rentals, pools with waterslides, trinket and convenience stores, condos and hotels
with convention center with a 600 car parking garage under the buildings! How does that not destroy
the land and downslope waters?
In 2008 the developer was told to halt his logging south of the store and next to the harbor and to
preserve all tree over 10 inches in diameter . He promised the county he would dig them up and
replant them. Did he do as he promised? Our neighbors on the shore have had to replant native
vegetation and report back on the progress when rebuilding their cabin. The county has been very
strict with small land owners to protect the water from runoff and pollution.
In the past few years the developer has removed trees at the south end and opened up a 'view' from
Highway 101. Is this the start of a new phase where the protective trees are removed to create 'vista'
condos or businesses and loss of slope protection?
Exhibit 65T
2
Comparing old photos to new, you can see that the steep slope to the south near the bed and
breakfast has been logged and is devoid of evergreens and has only deciduous trees, ( houses on
Alki bluff in the 80s were constantly sliding toward the water when trees were cut for views and
development) The trees are more than a visual buffer keeping the harbor a jewel, but also protecting
our waters and fish from run off and pollution while providing habitat for the wildlife.
The county must hold the developer to the agreements he has made to protect the land. Now he is
trying to sell lots. Is this because he does not have the funds to build his version of disneyland ? He
cannot be allowed to trash the area and leave the tax payers with a half-baked mess of a housing
development. It would be better to sell all of it to a land trust or even another camping group to create
less damage to this site.
It would be a shame to destroy what has been the tourist attraction here, the productive and protected canal
and forests of south Jefferson County, Our county must require carefu permitting and follow up with enforcing
the same standards they do with the neighboring small land owners, to protect our south county natural
assets. Don't allow this developer to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
sincerely,
Beth Stroh-Stern
66 Rocky Point Road
Brinnon Wa 98320
below see old and new photos.
historic view of Pleasant harbor looking south from the mouth of the harbor.
Exhibit 65T
3
recent logging and clearing taking place from 2008-2025
2015, the developer started cutting down trees south of the store and restaurant.
I have been noticing the parking lot on HWY101 adjacent to the PH rental house has increased in size in
recent years, so much so that there is a new water view from Highway 101 and a notable
difference in the view from the waterside. Were these clearings done with permits? and did the enforcement
follow up to see that replanting had taken place?
2018 south end of harbor on Hwy 101 entrance to bed and breakfast on left with few
Exhibit 65T
4
evergreens left to protect
slope.
2025 newly created 'harbor vista' is great if you are selling a business or condo site
but less protection for the waters of Pleasant Harbor and Hood Canal.The grading
of the parking lot on highway 101 pales in comparison to the massive earth moving
taking place at the top of the Black Point property.
expanded parking lot at entrance to rental house with 'Harbor View'.
Exhibit 65T
5
recent view of grading at end of harbor and extensive earth moving on black point development site.
Exhibit 65T