HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-2025 PC Meeting Minutes621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450
Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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MINUTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – August 6th, 2025
WSU Jefferson County Extension Classroom
97 Oak Bay Rd, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 (Hybrid)
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Chair Matt Sircely called the meeting to order at 05:34
Kevin Coker Unexcused absence Matt Sircely Present VACANT
Cynthia Koan Present LD Richert Present Chris Llewellyn Present
VACANT Michael Shultz Present Andrew Schwartz Present
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA: Chair Sircely moved to approve Agenda as
presented. Agenda was approved by acclimation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Schultz moved to approve 07-16-2025 meeting
minutes. Chris Llewellyn seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
GENERAL UPDATES
PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATES:
1. Commissioner Schwartz updates on Brinnon on attendance of Flood plane site
visit.
DCD STAFF UPDATES:
1. Emily Calkins provides brief overview of Community meeting from 08/05.
PUBLIC COMMENT – GENERAL
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments, in their entirety, can be viewed within the video
recording of the meeting which is located in our Laserfiche Web Portal:
www.co.jefferson.wa.us – Services>Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password are both:
public)>Community Development>Planning Commission>Mtgs>Recordings>PC Meeting
Recordings 2025>XX-XX-2025. Time stamps within the video recording of the meeting are
referenced below as necessary
1. None
TRANSMITTED INFORMATION:
1. A draft of the Geologically Hazardous Areas section of the Jefferson County Code
(JCC) 18.22.
2. A draft of the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas section of the Jefferson
County Code (JCC) 18.22.
3. A draft of the Wetlands section of the Jefferson County Code (JCC) 18.22.
4. A report summarizing the results for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
Surveys.
5. 08-06-25 PC Agenda
6. 07-16-2025 PC Minutes
621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450
Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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REGULAR BUSINESS
1. Critical Area Ordinance Update
a. Emily Calkins provides an overview presentation on Geohazards.
i. Commissioner Richert asks for clarification on buffer requirements. Greg Ballard
provides response
ii. Commissioner Shultz asks how landslide zones are designated. Greg provides
explanation as to the percentages for designation.
b. Emily Calkins provides an overview presentation on Fish & Wildlife Habitat Conservation
Areas
i. Commissioner Koan asks about the designation areas for Chimacum Creek. Emily
and Greg provide response.
ii. Commissioner Koan asks about fish bearing vs. non-fish bearing stream
designations. Greg provides response.
c. Emily Calkins provides an overview presentation on Wetlands
i. Commissioner Richert asks how manmade lakes are approached in the CAO. Greg
provides response.
ii. Commissioner Koan asks about ponds/lakes that have water only a portion of the
year. Greg responds.
iii. Commissioner Richert asks why the buffers were expanded. Greg provides a
response.
iv. Commissioner Koan asks about that county monitoring plan. Emily provides
response.
v. Commissioner Schultz asks about buffers in regard to housing. Greg provides a
response.
vi. Commissioner Koan asks about when there would be a notice to title. Emily
provides clarification.
vii. Commissioner Schwartz asks how developers or individuals ensure they are
meeting and understanding all of these guidelines. Emily and Greg provide
different ways the DCD encounters and educates property owners.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CAO UPDATE
1. Marla Powers from Port Gamble S’klallam Tribe suggests examining Kitsap county’s codes on
streams and how they align with state requirements and definitions. She emphasizes the lack of
designation of fish bearing vs non-fish bearing streams. Marla asks if there is a floor on buffer
reductions. Greg provides response. Marla recommends the same 100ft buffer for all streams.
(@01:03:21)
a. Commissioner Koan asks why buffers are reducing in UGA as opposed to increasing. Greg
provides explanation
b. Commissioner Sircely voices support for increasing buffers in high density developments.
c. Commissioner Koan poses a question as to why the county differentiates fish bearing vs
non-fish bearing streams if the state of WA doesn’t. Greg provides response.
d. Commissioner Schultz poses a question about grandfathered buffer zones and
exemptions. Greg provides clarification on when such apply.
e. Commissioner Koan expresses concerns about increased population density as a result of
people moving into our area due to climate change.
f. Commissioner Llewellyn inquires about the additional 150 home sites being added to a
local development. Greg provides response.
g. Commissioner Sircely asks about height restrictions in new developments.
621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450
Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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REGULAR BUSINESS CONTINUED
2. 2025 Comprehensive Plan Survey Process and Results
a. Emily Calkins provides a summary overview of public surveys received.
i. Commissioners Sircely and Schwartz note that tourism, comprehensive reform,
infrastructure, and housing are all top concerns mentioned in surveys.
ii. Commissioner Schultz shares the idea of including surveys in regularly scheduled
mailings to increase survey participation.
iii. Commissioner Koan requests data on female entrepreneurs in our county, citing a
desire to encourage and celebrate women running their own businesses.
iv. Commissioner Richert notes that most people supported increased population
density.
v. Commissioner Sircely shares an idea from Commissioner Coker in regard to
increasing density via family homesteading.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Sircely adjourned the meeting at 07:34 p.m. until the
next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 20th, 2025at 5:30 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved this _____________day _________, 2025.
Matt Sircely, Chair Residing Secretary