HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEARING NOTICE re: Proposed amendments to the Jefferson County Code relating to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Please publish 2 times: February 25 and March 4, 2026
Contact Person: Chelsea Pronovost
Bill to: Community Development
621 Sheridan St
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Amendments to Jefferson County Code related to Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY,March 9, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers, County
Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said hearing is to be
published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
Jefferson County is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)to strengthen regulations in alignment
with the best available science(BAS) and to improve the document's layout,clarity, and usability. The
County last completed a comprehensive CAO update in March 2020. That effort incorporated reviews of
BAS, including the County's BAS record developed during the 2008 update, reports prepared by
Environmental Science Associates, Inc. in 2015 and 2016, and topical white papers prepared by BERK
in 2019. The primary purpose of the current update is to address changes in BAS that have emerged
since 2020.
The CAO establishes development regulations that protect the functions and values of critical areas in
unincorporated Jefferson County, while safeguarding public health, safety, and general welfare.
Adoption of the updated CAO is a non-project action intended to refine existing policies and standards
consistent with the Growth Management Act(GMA). This update does not propose or authorize any
specific projects or activities and is not limited to a particular site.
The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and
follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) - Board of
Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items—03 March 2026—030926—
HEARING Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 2:30 p.m. using the
following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link: https://zoom.us/j/93777841705,
PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-1705# and press *9 to"raise your
hand"to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be accommodated using Washington Relay
Service at 1-800-833-6384,or IN-PERSON.
In addition,written testimony is also invited beginning on February 25, 2026 and ending on March 9,2026 at
the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. Written public
testimony may be submitted by Email to: JeffBoCC@co.jefferson.wa.us.
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; PO Box 1220, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by the
end of the hearing testimony period.
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Signed this 23`d day of February, 2026.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSION ,AR
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/S/Greg Brotherton, Chair