HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2026 Retreat MinutesMINUTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Joint Special Meeting with the Board of County Commissioners
August 14th, 2026
Jefferson Transit Center
63 Four Corners Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Board of County Commissioners’ Chair Greg Brotherton
called the Special Board of County Commissioners meeting to order at the appointed time
in the presence of Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour and Commissioner Heather Dudley-
Nollette. The Planning Commission (PC) called their meeting to order after establishing a
quorum, and PC Chair Cynthia Koan assumed chairing duties. Everyone present
introduced themselves, and some members provided opening statements.
Kevin
Coker Present
Matt
Sircely
Excused
Absence (partial
presence flrst
1/2)
Sunny
Allen
Excused
Absence (partial
presence flnal
1/2)
Cynthia
Koan Present LD
Richert Present Chris
Llewellyn
Present (Online,
then in-person)
Devin
Gonzalez
Unexcused
Absence
Michael
Shultz Present Andrew
Schwartz Present
TRANSMITTED INFORMATION:
1. 1-Agendas PC & BoCC 8-14-26.pdf
2. 2a-After Action Review 2025-2026.pdf
3. 2b-JC Ordinance on Ordinances 02-0528-24.pdf
4. 3-Summary UDC with Links.pdf
5. 4a-Work Planning--Schedule & Level of Effort Sheet.pdf
6. 4b-2027 CPA Process & Reports fiowchart.pdf
7. 4c-CP Action Plans Reference.pdf
8. 8a-Planning Agency Goals.pdf
9. 8b1-PC Training Tracker - Sheet1.pdf
10. 8b2-2025-04-16 PC Signed Bylaws.pdf
11. 8-JC Resolution 50 22 OPMA Guidelines.pdf
DISCUSSION re: 2025-2026 in Review - After-action discussion of work completed:
Department of Community Development (DCD) Associate Planner Joel Peterson facilitated
discussion and reviewed major planning work completed during the 2025-2026 season,
including Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, housing-related UDC amendments, short-
term rental regulations, and the Critical Areas Ordinance update. Members generally
viewed completion of the Comprehensive Plan update as a success, while much of the
discussion focused on staff, Planning Commission, legal, and enforcement capacity and
how those constraints affected implementation and project timelines. The group also
discussed the need to evaluate whether adopted regulations, particularly short-term rental
program, are achieving their intended outcomes. Participants of the meeting emphasized
improving communication and collaboration between the Planning Commission and the
Board of County Commissioners going forward.
DISCUSSION re: Proposed UDC Omnibus Amendments: Code Development
Administrator Greg Ballard reviewed the UDC Omnibus amendment process and said this
process provides an opportunity to incorporate administrative practices that are working
well into the code, address provisions that create unnecessary delays or complexity, and
implement regulatory reforms following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. The
members discussed potential amendments related to site development review and Legal
Lots of Record, commercial and industrial development standards, short-term rentals, and
other code provisions where greater fiexibility or clarity may be appropriate.
Participants supported moving the Omnibus process forward and involving the Planning
Commission in reviewing proposed changes. The County Commissioners and Planning
Commissioners were encouraged to identify additional amendments they would like staff
to consider, with particular interest expressed in institutionalizing successful process
improvements and evaluating regulations that may no longer be achieving their intended
purpose.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: PC Chair Koan opened the fioor to allow for public
comments, and four comments were received. During the Public Comment Period,
Economic Development Council (EDC) Team Jefferson Director David Ballif introduced new
staff member Brett Bishop.
DISCUSSION re: 2026-2027 Projects and Work Planning: Staff presented an initial list of
potential 2026-2027 projects and emphasized that they would like to establish a framework
rather than make flnal project-priority decisions. The group discussed potential work
related to the UDC Omnibus, annual Comprehensive Plan amendments, Port Hadlock
economic development, South County/Brinnon planning and fioodplain issues, Glen Cove
infrastructure and economic development, and other long-range planning needs.
Participants emphasized that the flnal work program will need to refiect available staffing,
legal and enforcement capacity, the County budget, and competing current-planning
responsibilities.
The project list will continue to be reflned as part of the upcoming budget and work-
planning process. Staff will also conduct outreach regarding potential 2027
Comprehensive Plan amendment applications and suggested amendments, so that
emerging projects can be identifled early.
Commissioner Eisenhour excused herself from the remainder of the meeting at 11:57 a.m.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the joint portion of the meeting at
12:01 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
RECESS – Planning Commission held a brief recess at the adjournment of the joint
meeting.
Planning Commission Workshop
a. Discussion and Potential Action re: Review Planning Commission goals and
procedures, update contact list
b. Discussion and Potential Action re: Attendance, training, and bylaws amendments
a. Chair Koan will bring proposed language changes to the documents for
review and approval at the next scheduled meeting.
PRESENTATION re: Transportation Concurrency – Greg Ballard provided a presentation.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Koan adjourned the meeting at 01:28 p.m. until the next
regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 9th, 2026 at the
Jefferson Transit Center.
These meeting minutes were approved this ___________ day of _______________ 2026.
Cynthia Koan, Chair Tonya Flores Cruz, PC Clerk