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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2026 PC Retreat Minutes SignedMINUTES 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 Matt Excused Sunny Excused Coker Sircely Absence (partial Allen Absence (partial Present presence first presence final 1 /2) 1 /2) Cynthia LD Chris Present (Online, Present Present Koan Richert Llewellyn then in-person) Devin Unexcused Michael Andrew Present Present Gonzalez Absence Shultz Schwartz TRANSMITTED INFORMATION: 1. 1-Agendas PC & Bo CC 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 flowchart.pdf 7. 4c-CP Action Plans Reference.pdf 8. Ba-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 flexibility 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 floor 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 final 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 floodplain issues, Glen Cove infrastructure and economic development, and other long-range planning needs. Participants emphasized that the final work program will need to reflect available staffing, legal and enforcement capacity, the County budget, and competing current-planning responsibilities. The project list will continue to be refined 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 identified early. Commissioner Eisen hour 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 Kaan 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 Kaan 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 Kaan, Chair ~ff :;_z; ~xa~