HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Mtg Minutes 06-04-14 FINALJEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4450 PlanComm@J;o.jefferson.wa.us
www.co .jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/PlanningCommission
District 1
Coker Felder
p p
REGULAR MEETING
Meeting Minutes for June 4, 2014
Call to Order: 1:33 pm
ROLL CALL
District2
Miller Smith Farmer Sircely Brotherton
AE p AE AE AU
District3
Giske Hull
p p
P=Present, X=Vacant, AE=Absent Excused, AU=Absent Unexcused
Jefferson County Staff Present:
• Carl Smith, DCD Director • Stacie Hoskins, Planning Manager • Joel Peterson, Associate Planner
Public in Attendance: 8
Kevin Coker:
Carl Smith:
Carl Smith:
Joel Peterson:
Stacie Hoskins:
John Richmond:
STAFF UPDATES
Moves to approve minutes for: 05/21/14 regular meeting.
Seconded by Gary Felder. 5 for, 0 against, 0 abstained.
There have been 25 applications for the 2 planner vacancies for Jefferson County Dept. of
Community Development. Plan Clerk position is temporary and Carl has gained approval
for a full-time Administrative Clerk
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
DCD has firm schedule to adopt Comprehensive Plan amendments by July 2016.
Major purpose of outreach meeting in Forks to receive public input.
Military installations need to be included in p lan, look at p rotecting ag lands.
Introduced himselfas the Jefferson County West End Planner. The purpose in today's
meeting in Forks is to assist the County to amend policies in the Comprehensive Plan to
help meet the needs of the West End .
Existing zoning/development regulations allows for cottage industries, home-based
businesses, small-scale recreation tourism, and resource-based industries.
During the 2012 Planning Commission meeting in Clearwater, West End residents voiced
their desire of housing near the prison, where many local residents work, and their
frustration due to the lack of business opportunities in the area.
The 2012 Proposed Comp Plan Amendment Application was to change the zoning on the
West End in order to accommodate smaller parcel sizes.
Zoning must match population projections. However, there is currently no high demand
for developments, as there are only two bldg permits pending in the West End.
Cabins, lodges, convenience stores are currently permitted in the West End.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Would like to see the ability to have a Bed & Breakfast in the West End, especially in the
Upper Hoh Rd.
Jefferson County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 06/04/2014
1 of3
Stacie Hoskins:
Tom Giske:
Citizen:
Stacie Hoskins:
Jon Anderson:
John Richmond:
Kevin Coker:
Gene Bunker:
Stacie Hoskins:
Tom Giske:
Lorna Smith:
John Richmond:
Ray Rorberg:
Kevin Coker:
Teddy McManus:
Cliff Hay:
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4450 PlanComm@!:o.jefferson.wa.us
www.co. jefferson . wa . us I commdevelopment I PlanningCommission
B&B challenge is that serving food requires public water supply, which is approved
through the state and requires engineering. In East Jefferson, B&B owners will create
lodging but not create water supply and instead buy pre-made food. That may not be an
option for Clearwater area because there are no restaurants.
It would be helpful to take specific examples of permit problems and know what
challenges people are facing.
What are regulations for renting house as vacation rental?
Less than 30 days at a time requires a County permit, but only reviews zoning/parking
accommodation and is an administrative approval process.
One of neighbors had talked about installing a water facility from a spring but instead
moved to Alaska because the process too arduous.
Nearby resort, Ruby Beach store, Bogachiel store and store on Rainforest Rd. all closed.
Klahloch is the only local store.
His children are asking questions about subdivision of his property.
Read aloud August 1, 2012 meeting notes:
Recent massive recalls of food products in the last two years. Victory gardens that were
encouraged in WWII would be good solution. Simple plots in front/backyard.
Water rights need to be readily obtained, wells drilled on the West End.
Jefferson County/Dept of Ecology/EPA/Corp of Engineers regulate small streams, widen
buffers which makes it difficult to utilize water supply.
The County values and encourages the "Right to Farm".
No way to prosper in the Clearwater area in a business sense.
Concerned that "Nature Conservancy" will take over his property.
Agricultural, forestry, and open space get lower tax rates.
The Land Trust has been working to place easements on agricultural land that requires
farmland perpetuity. Land Trust may be interested in working with West End residents
to create new land use opportunities.
Is a chair of the Conservation Futures Committee. Has seen an economic boost in
easement designations and they promote new innovative ways to bring in money.
Forest land owners need to pay more taxes. The land owners charge for hunting leases
on their land, yet also paying lower tax rates.
Farmers in King County cannot afford to keep farming.
Regulations are made by people in the City who have no concept of raising animals.
Regulations discourage growth and make it very unlikely to build.
Sometimes regulations are handed down by the state and are out of the hands of the
County.
County is very stringent with 5-acre plots. Need to make spring water available because
the well water contains too much iron.
Natural resource-based businesses will be rare due to the state taking land for
parks/nature conservancy. Kids are leaving the area in order to acquire jobs.
Jefferson County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 06/04/2014
2 of 3
Jon Anderson:
John Richmond:
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
621 Sheridan Str e e t, Po r t Townsend , WA 98368
(360) 3 79-4450 PlanComm@j::o.jefferson. wa. us
www .co . jefferson. wa . us I commdevelopment I PlanningCommission
In 1891, grandfather homesteaded on the Hoh. There has been serious flooding of the
Hoh River since the State put an end to cutting. Believes in "working with the river".
The river took out 7-8 acres of his property.
A lot of land has been taken out of production due to various causes and environmental
regulations. Had a 43-year career with the California forest service.
Would like to see meeting notices published in the Forks Forum.
The typical tourist season for the West End is from June -Sept.
Adjourned at 3:15 pm
Approval of Minutes
These meeting minutes were approved this~ Z <;;:,of .:9
ILCV ¥J ·l J~
'2014.
Kevin Coker, Chair Elizaoeth Williams, PC Secretary /Plan Clerk
Jefferson County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 06/04/2014
3of3