HomeMy WebLinkAbout92_Response of Brinnon Group to Motion for Reconsideration of JCHE Decision1
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Before Hearing Examiner
Gary N. McLean
BEFORE THE HEARING EXAMINER
FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY
Application for Preliminary Plat
approval, submitted by
PLEASANT HARBOR MARINA AND
GOLF RESORT, LLP,
Applicant
File No. SUB2023-00025
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON
GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING
EXAMINER DECISION
1. BACKGROUND.
On April 17, 2026, Jefferson County Hearing Examiner Gary N. McLean issued
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision Approving Preliminary Plat. On April
27, 2026, Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort filed a “Request for Clarification or,
in the Alternative, Reconsideration.” On April 28, 2026, “Jefferson County” filed
“Jefferson County’s Joinder of Request for Clarification, or, in the Alternative,
Reconsideration.”
On April 30, 2026, the Hearing Examiner issued his “NOTICE AND ORDER
INVITING RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION” which “reopens
the record to provide all parties of record with an opportunity to submit responses or
legal briefs addressing the attached Requests for Reconsideration received by the
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 1
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Hearing Examiner’s Office.” The Notice and Order provided that parties of record shall
have until Monday, May 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. to submit written briefs addressing the
specific issues raised in the Requests for Reconsideration.
2. IDENTITY OF RESPONDING PARTY OF RECORD.
This response to the motions for reconsideration is filed by The Brinnon Group
(TBG), a party of record in this matter. The Brinnon Group has filed several comment
letters and emails found in the record at Exhibits 65(A), 65(B), 65(G), 65(H), 65(I),
Exhibit 65(W) and Exhibit 89. Each of these exhibits is incorporated by reference in this
response.
3. RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION.
After carefully reviewing the motions for reconsideration, The Brinnon Group
respectfully requests that the motions be denied in their entirety. The motions deal with
effects of final plat approval of the pending preliminary plat.
As the Hearing Examiner is aware, the property in question has been designated
as a Master Planned Resort (MPR) at the request of the property owner. As indicated
in TBG’s October 14, 2025 comment letter (Exhibit 89), an MPR is a self-contained and
fully integrated planned unit development with “primary focus on destination resort
facilities” pursuant to RCW 36.70A.360(1). Other residential uses are permitted, but
“only if the residential uses are integrated into and support the on-site recreational
nature of the resort.” RCW 36.70A.360(3).
In the case of the Pleasant Harbor MPR, the project Development Agreement
has been revised after litigation initiated by TBG in 2019. The Development Agreement
provides for three possible Phases of development. Phase one includes construction of
the basic MPR features including the “golf course, the Golf Terrace
Community/Recreation Center and Conference center/SPA including 208 units, SPA
services, pool, water slides commercial space and sports courts.” These are the
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 2
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features that make the proposal a “destination resort,” not just another residential
subdivision in the rural area of Jefferson County.
The Hearing Examiner correctly determined in Finding 106 that:
Phase 1 cannot receive final plat approval until all conditions are satisfied
for such phase, expressly including completion of the recreational
amenities that shall be available to the general public as listed above.
This Finding correctly requires that the “recreational amenities” are the “destination
resort facilities” that must be completed before final plat approval. This is important
because if final plat approval is given, the developer can sell the individual lots to third
parties and build homes on them under Washington law before the destination resort
facilities are constructed, violating the fundamental premise of master planned resorts.
This is of real concern because, though this proposal has been under consideration for
many years, no plans for the required “destination resort facilities” have ever been
provided. It is wholly possible that the developer would get final plat approval for the
single family lots, sell them and build houses on them, but indefinitely delay the
destination resort facilities. The Examiner can take judicial notice that the “golf course,
the Golf Terrace Community/Recreation Center and Conference center/SPA including
208 units, SPA services, pool, water slides commercial space and sports courts” are
substantial facilities requiring major financial commitment.
At page 5, the developer attempts to set up a “Catch 22" circumstance that
because the lot for the “Golf Terrace Community Center (including 208 units spa
services, pool, water slides, commercial space and sports courts)” is included in the
plat, he cannot build those facilities without final plat approval. But it was the developer
that decided to include the community facilities in the plat. This sets up the proposition
that lots will be sold, houses built and occupied while the destination resort facilities are
perpetually “under construction” but never constructed; just what the MPR statute and
Development Agreement were intended to prevent.
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 3
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Finding 106 should not be eliminated or modified. The destination resort facilities
required by the Development Agreement, referenced in the Finding as “recreational
amenities,” must be completed in Phase 1 and the Examiner’s decision is consistent
with these requirements.
4. CONCLUSION.
Finding 106 should not be eliminated or modified.
Respectfully submitted this 11th day of May, 2026.
LAW OFFICES OF J. RICHARD ARAMBURU PLLC
/S/
J. RICHARD ARAMBURU, WSBA #466
Attorney for the Brinnon Group
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 4
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DECLARATION OF SERVICE
I am an employee in the Law Offices of J. Richard Aramburu, over the age of 18
years, and competent to testify.
On this 11th day of May, 2026, I am filing the above Response by emailing it to
Carolyn Galloway at email carolyn@co.jefferson.wa.us in accordance with the Hearing
Examiner’s Notice and Order Inviting Responses to Request for Reconsideration.
I also served the above Response of the Brinnon Group in accordance with the
applicant’s brief declaration of service to:
Jefferson County
Attn: Philip C. Hunsucker
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
By delivering the response to phunsucker@co.jefferson.wa.us
And I served the Response to the following parties served by the Hearing
Examiner’s office:
'sking@cityofpt.us' <sking@cityofpt.us>; Emma Bolin <ebolin@cityofpt.us>;
'Lizzie.carp@ecy.wa.gov' <Lizzie.carp@ecy.wa.gov>; 'Larson, Andy'
<LarsonA@wsdot.wa.gov>; Sherrie Shold <SShold@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Pinky Mingo
<PMingo@co.jefferson.wa.us>; 'mark.toy@doh.wa.gov' <mark.toy@doh.wa.gov>;
'sbancroft@jeffpud.org' <sbancroft@jeffpud.org>; 'sharper@jeffpud.org'
<sharper@jeffpud.org>; 'khatton@jcpsn.us' <khatton@jcpsn.us>;
'levi.puksta@dnr.wa.gov' <levi.puksta@dnr.wa.gov>; 'ted.allison@dnr.wa.gov'
<ted.allison@dnr.wa.gov>; Terry Duff <TDuff@co.jefferson.wa.us>; John Fleming
<JFleming@co.jefferson.wa.us>; 'Anna.M.Whalen.civ@us.navy.mil'
<Anna.M.Whalen.civ@us.navy.mil>; 'R6CSplanning@dfw.wa.gov'
<R6CSplanning@dfw.wa.gov>; 'lynn.wall1@navy.mil' <lynn.wall1@navy.mil>;
'timothy.l.westcott@uscg.mil' <timothy.l.westcott@uscg.mil>;
'Daisy.P.Douglass@usace.army.mil' <Daisy.P.Douglass@usace.army.mil>;
'buoy@dnr.wa.gov' <buoy@dnr.wa.gov>; 'Jillian.Greenwood@dnr.wa.gov'
<Jillian.Greenwood@dnr.wa.gov>; 'Noel.Sharp@dnr.wa.gov'
<Noel.Sharp@dnr.wa.gov>; 'chris.chappell@dnr.wa.gov' <chris.chappell@dnr.wa.gov>;
'Lizzie.carp@ecy.wa.gov' <Lizzie.carp@ecy.wa.gov>; 'sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov'
<sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov>; 'sepa@dahp.wa.gov' <sepa@dahp.wa.gov>;
'R6CSplanning@dfw.wa.gov' <R6CSplanning@dfw.wa.gov>; 'eric@portofpt.com'
<eric@portofpt.com>; 'btracer@ejfr.org' <btracer@ejfr.org>; 'chief@ejfr.org'
<chief@ejfr.org>; 'bgraham@jeffpud.org' <bgraham@jeffpud.org>;
'sharper@jeffpud.org' <sharper@jeffpud.org>; 'shlanay1@skokomish.org'
<shlanay1@skokomish.org>; 'apapiez@skokomish.org' <apapiez@skokomish.org>;
'bweiskotten@skokomish.org' <bweiskotten@skokomish.org>; 'pgst-thpo@pgst.nsn.us'
<pgst-thpo@pgst.nsn.us>; 'mpowers@pgst.nsn.us' <mpowers@pgst.nsn.us>;
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 5
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'skalama@quinault.org' <skalama@quinault.org>; 'bud.denney@makah.com'
<bud.denney@makah.com>; 'kristina.currie@hohtribe-nsn.org'
<kristina.currie@hohtribe-nsn.org>; 'larry.burtness@quileutenation.org'
<larry.burtness@quileutenation.org>; 'crossi@pnptc.org' <crossi@pnptc.org>;
'lstrong@jamestowntribe.org' <lstrong@jamestowntribe.org>;
ascagliotti@jamestowntribe.org; 'ataylor@jamestowntribe.org'
<ataylor@jamestowntribe.org>; 'wclark@jamestowntribe.org'
<wclark@jamestowntribe.org>; 'strudel@suquamish.nsn.us'
<strudel@suquamish.nsn.us>; 'jessica.stone@dahp.wa.gov'
<jessica.stone@dahp.wa.gov>; 'ngauthier@jeffersontransit.com'
<ngauthier@jeffersontransit.com>; 'jmcmacken@pensinsuladailynews.com'
<jmcmacken@pensinsuladailynews.com>; 'jeffconews@peninsuladailynews.com'
<jeffconews@peninsuladailynews.com>; 'ascagliotti@jamestowntribe.org'
<ascagliotti@jamestowntribe.org>; 'ataylor@jamestowntribe.org'
<ataylor@jamestowntribe.org>; 'crossi@pnptc.org' <crossi@pnptc.org>;
'dbergman@pnptc.org' <dbergman@pnptc.org>; 'Hansi Hals'
<hhals@jamestowntribe.org>; 'Laura Price' <lives@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Misty A. Ives'
<mives@pgst.nsn.us>; 'mpowers@pgst.nsn.us' <mpowers@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Randy
Harder' <rharder@pnptc.org>; 'Roma Call' <romac@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Nikki Aikman'
<nikkia@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Chloe Donaldson' <cdonaldson@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Benjamin
Harrison' <bharrison@pgst.nsn.us>; 'Joshua Carter' <jcarter@pgst.nsn.us>;
'garth.mann@statesmangroup.com' <garth.mann@statesmangroup.com>;
'JT@houlihan-law.com' <JT@houlihan-law.com>; 'ryanh@statesmangroup.com'
<ryanh@statesmangroup.com>; 'mandi.roberts@otak.com'
<mandi.roberts@otak.com>; 'Emily Larson' <Emily.Larson@otak.com>;
MichelleB2@hattonpantier.com; 'Rick@aramburulaw.com' <Rick@aramburulaw.com>;
'carol@aramburulaw.com' <carol@aramburulaw.com>; 'brinnongroup@gmail.com'
<brinnongroup@gmail.com>; 'pbest@wavecable.com' <pbest@wavecable.com>;
'ilesshih@gmail.com' <ilesshih@gmail.com>; 'theresat18@yahoo.com'
<theresat18@yahoo.com>; 'jacqueline.r.dufresne@gmail.com'
<jacqueline.r.dufresne@gmail.com>; 'cgermaine@comcast.net'
<cgermaine@comcast.net>; 'carsonrj@whitman.edu' <carsonrj@whitman.edu>;
'willowtree@olypen.com' <willowtree@olypen.com>; 'blackpointadvocates@gmail.com'
<blackpointadvocates@gmail.com>; 'darlenes@olympus.net'
<darlenes@olympus.net>; 'wpburden@aol.com' <wpburden@aol.com>;
'floralaura@gmail.com' <floralaura@gmail.com>; 'bethstrohstern@gmail.com'
<bethstrohstern@gmail.com>; 'wintersol@sbcglobal.net' <wintersol@sbcglobal.net>;
'overbrook4@gmail.com' <overbrook4@gmail.com>; 'tgboating@comcast.net'
<tgboating@comcast.net>; Deborah Pedersen <deborahgpedersen@yahoo.com>;
Adiel F. McKnight <AFMcKnight@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Greg Ballard
<GBallard@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Mo-chi Lindblad <Mlindblad@co.jefferson.wa.us>;
aramburulaw@gmail.com.
I declare under the penalty of perjury in the State of Washington that the above
is true and correct.
Dated this 11th day of May, 2026.
_______________________
Carol Cohoe, Legal Assistant
L a w O f f i c e s o f
J . R ICHARD ARAMBURU P L L C
720 3 RD AVE., SUITE 2000SEATTLE 98104(206) 625-9515FAX (206) 682-1376
RESPONSE OF THE BRINNON GROUP TO MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISION - 6