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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix C JC Local Food System Council Submissions RE County Comp-PlanChpt3,Land Use and Rural Element Start: p47 Heather Graham’s Edits Added in Green. GOAL: LNG 3.0 Ensure that rural residential development preserves rural character, protects rural community identity, is compatible with surrounding land uses, and minimizes infrastructure needs. POLICIES: LNP 3.1 Identify and encourage diverse rural land uses and densities which preserve rural character and rural community identity, emphasizing sustainable resourced-based economies including Agriculture, Forestry, and Aquaculture. LNP 3.2 Establish rural residential land use densities for all lands located outside of designated Urban Growth Areas. Proposed rural residential densities shall allow for an adequate supply of appropriately zoned land based upon the County’s rural population projections and needs while maintaining rural character and rural community identity, preserving rural resource-based uses, and avoiding sprawl. HOME-BASED BUSINESSES AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES GOAL: LNG 6.0 Foster home-based businesses or cottage industries in order to provide economic and employment opportunities outside of Rural Village Centers, that emphasize Rural economies, such as Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and necessary business services. SMALL-SCALE RECREATIONAL AND TOURIST RELATED USES GOAL: LNG 7.0 Foster economic development in rural areas which is small-scale recreational or tourist-related and that relies on a rural location and setting. POLICIES: LNP 7.1 Small-scale recreational or tourist uses shall be provided for through a permitting process appropriate to the type of proposed use and the land use district in which it is proposed. LNP 7.2 Small-scale recreational or tourist uses shall demonstrate under the permit review process that the proposed wholly new location or use or expansion of existing location or use is reliant upon a particular rural location and setting. LNP 7.3 Small-scale recreational or tourist uses shall be defined as those uses reliant upon the rural setting, incorporating the scenic and natural features of the land. Under no circumstances should this policy be interpreted to permit new residential development, except that necessary for on-site management, or a Master Planned Resort pursuant to RCW 36.70A.360. LNP 7.4 Primary use of the sites shall be in accordance with rural character, focusing on agriculture, forestry, maritime, or other resource-based rural economy, with recreational or tourist use as secondary. The primary use of the site shall be for the small-scale recreational or tourist Use, Commercial facilities, as provided for within an approved conditional use permit for small-scale recreational or tourist uses, shall serve only those recreational and tourist uses. LNP 7.5 Small-scale recreational or tourist uses shall not include new residential development, except that necessary for on-site management. Jefferson INDUSTRIAL LAND USES GOAL: LNG 12.0 Locate new natural resource-based industries in rural lands and near the resource upon which they are dependent, in accordance with RCW 36.70A.365. POLICIES: LNP 12.1 Encourage the establishment of sustainable natural resource-based industrial uses in rural areas to provide employment opportunities. Examples include food processing near agricultural parcels, and timer processing near larger tracts of timber land. LNP 12.2 Natural resource-based industries may be located near the agricultural, forest, mineral, or aquaculture resource lands upon which they are dependent. NATURAL RESOURCE LANDS GOAL: LNG 13.0 Conserve and manage the forest, agriculture, aquaculture, and mineral resources of Jefferson County for sustainable natural resource-based economic activities that are compatible with surrounding land uses. POLICIES: LNP 13.1 Conserve natural resource lands through land use designations and encourage resource-based industries that provide rural employment opportunities that serve the county and regional population with locally sourced requirements for life (food, wood products). LNP 13.2 Support cooperative resource and habitat management processes between stakeholders and local, state, federal and tribal governments by integrating cooperative agreements and plans into land use ordinances and regulations. LNP 13.3 Work with resource-based industries to achieve compliance with all applicable regulations to protect environmental values and to protect surrounding land uses. LNP 13.4 Ensure that land use activities adjacent to resource lands are sited and designed to minimize conflicts with resource management activities. RURAL CHARACTER GOAL: LNG 18.0 Preserve rural character and promote rural lifestyle.. Rural character is defined by local rural lifestyle, opportunity to live and work in rural areas, local rural visual landscapes, resource productivity, environmental quality, and significant areas of open space. POLICIES: LNP 18.1 Identify and implement rural land uses, densities, and environmental standards which preserve and protect rural character. LNP 18.1.2 Emphasize the development of Agricultural Systems, including Agriculture and Agricultural storing and processing and distribution centers, as a sustainable economy that preserves the rural character of Jefferson County. LNP 18.2 Environmental quality is critical to the preservation of rural character. LNP 18.4 The preservation of open space is directly linked to the maintenance of Jefferson County’s rural character. Protect open space consistent with the goals and policies of the Open Space Element of this plan. Chapter 6: Open Space/Parks/Recreation, Historic Preservation Element Pg 13: OSG 3.0 Encourage the multiple use of open spaces and wildlife corridors POLICIES: OSP 3.1 Protect environmentally critical open spaces, such as drainage corridors or floodplains, by associating them with appropriate recreational uses. Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 6-13 Revised by ORD#17-1213-04 OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION OSP 3.2 Review development proposals to evaluate opportunities for multiple use of proposed open space. The open space should be of a quality, quantity, and configuration which ensures that a suitable portion of the site is designated for conservation, passive recreation, and, where appropriate, active recreation. "Open space" refers to either the formal designation of areas as "open space" or the retention of areas within lots or parcels that will be managed under private ownership as "open" or undeveloped uses. OSP 3.3 Jefferson County, based on information developed and provided by organizations involved in the preservation of natural wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors, has identified areas throughout the County which will be prioritized as areas targeted to be preserved and maintained as wildlife habitats and corridors. These areas are identified and illustrated on the Open Space and recreation map contained in this Plan. OSP 3.4 Demonstrate multi-purpose use, while promoting local food security, by planting food plants and trees in public open spaces for the public and non-profit groups to glean from. GOAL: OSG 4.0 Develop and maintain public park and recreational facilities that are responsive to the needs and interests of Jefferson County residents and visitors. POLICIES: OSP 4.1 Ensure that the Park and Recreation Plan recommends feasible funding levels for acquisition, maintenance and operations, within an equitable framework of taxation that reflects prudent fiscal management. OSP 4.2 Ensure that the natural features of proposed parks and recreation areas are utilized. OSP 4.3 Develop recreational opportunities such that: a. Existing recreational areas and facilities are not overburdened; b. Recreational facilities are planned to support areas designated for future residential development; and c. Adequate infrastructure is available. OSP 4.4 Ensure that the location, type and amount of park and recreation facilities are consistent with the needs and desires of citizens in the area, and that they accommodate a diversity of age, interest and ability groups. Include horticultural educational opportunities about local foods and indigenous food plants through educational plaques, community involvement, and food forests. OSP 4.5 Pursue and encourage public involvement in parks and recreation planning through advisory boards, workshops, and news releases. OSP 4.6 Establish guidelines to anticipate future demand in the acquisition and development of parks, recreational land and facilities. OSP 4.7 Ensure that parks and recreation facilities along marine shores, lakes and streams are compatible with the goals, policies, and performance standards of the Jefferson County Shoreline Management Master Program. Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 6-14 Revised by ORD#17-1213-04 OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION OSP 4.8 Require developers of new residential subdivisions to provide land, facilities, or in-lieu-of payments for neighborhood parks and recreation, when appropriate. OSP 4.9 Encourage the provision of public parks and private parks concurrent with development. OSP 4.10 Promote cooperative efforts, joint project development, and long range planning with other public agencies and the private sector to create and maintain open space, parks and recreational areas. OSG 6.0 Identify and preserve historic and prehistoric sites, structures, Native American settlements, and artifacts that have value as significant cultural resources. POLICIES: OSP 6.1 Support the efforts of the Jefferson County Historical Society and other interested groups, to: a. Identify, evaluate and designate historic and prehistoric sites, structures, and artifacts of cultural significance for inclusion on appropriate national, state, and/or local registers; b. Develop and implement a preservation program for the on-going protection and preservation of designated cultural resources; c. Develop and implement an education program to increase awareness, appreciation, and voluntary preservation of cultural resources; and d. Develop methods to link cultural resource preservation with tourism and local and tribal economic development strategies. Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan 6-15 Revised by ORD#17-1213-04 OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION OSP 6.2 Ensure that new development located adjacent to structures and sites of archeological and/or historical significance is compatible with the character of the site. OSP 6.3 Consider 100 year old farmland and traditionally used native food sourcing territories (hunting grounds, berry patches, summer and winter camps) as historic properties to be recognized, and ideally preserved, for the sake of future generations in our county. Chapter 4—Housing The importance of agricultural in our rural economy needs to be recognized: 1. By allowing the creation of on farm housing for farm workers during the active farming season. 2. Allow a 2nd permanent residence to be built on active operating farms to support multi- family farming with the intention to allow farms to transition to new ownership while the elder farmers remain in residence. This transition option helps to make land available for new owners while maintaining invaluable (farming) knowledge in place and supporting the old-age needs of the retiring farmers. 3. Allow prime agricultural properties to be subdivided into smaller parcels (ideally with group septic) while preserving agricultural status. This encourages mixed use farming practices in addition to the fall-back livestock-hay production which is currently the only option for large tracts of bottom land. 4. Prioritize preservation of land for local production of food. 5. Consider creation of “farmers market” as a land-use category that would no longer require that a condition land-use permit be obtained. HSP2.10 Adjust permitting to allow bunkhouse – style housing on working farms to serve the needs for on-site low income housing as part of farm worker educational and other programs. HSP2.11 Permitting transient housing on farms for seasonal agricultural worker housing needs. HSP2.12 Work towards subdividing Ag-20 lands to smaller parcels for ag density in order to enhance a wider and more diverse production of foods. PLEASE NOTE: The following represents the additions and changes that the Jefferson County Local Food System Council, by way of its Policy Committee, is proposing to be made to Chapter 7 of the County’s draft Comprehensive Plan. The proposed additions are indicated by bold and underlined text and any deletions are indicated by text with strike-throughs. Where a subsection contained no addition or change, that subsection was not included below, as indicated by asterisks (***) below the heading. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSE A strong and diversified economy provides a high quality of life for the citizens of Jefferson County and the region. This in turn generates the resources through which local governments provide for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Therefore, as a local government entity, Jefferson County shall promote economic development, along with public health and safety, social services, food security and access, and environmental quality. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN *** ECONOMIC CONDITIONS *** FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY Through local sub-area planning and co-ordination with other agencies and organizations, Jefferson County should use zoning, incentives or other measures to ensure that an appropriate proportion of the land adjacent or near public infrastructure facilities is utilized to its highest and best use. The surrounding land uses should be buffered or compatible with economic development. Identifying and understanding future trends (such as the aging population in the county) is an essential first step to ensure Jefferson County’s prosperity. Jefferson County must always take the next step and prepare for both the anticipated and unexpected events. Addressing trends that are relevant to our county such as but not limited to marine trade, building industry, natural resources, fisheries/aquaculture, technology, agriculture, value-added products and tourism/agritourism/native tourism ensure that the economy is stable, diversified, and competitive. Local agriculture and the local production and processing of food is an important and growing part of Jefferson County’s economy, attracting young people from all over the United States who want to be mentored in sound farming practices. Enhancing a community’s ability to fully feed itself boosts local resilience in cases of natural or man- made disasters, and fuels the wealth of the community by keeping money localized that would otherwise be invested or spent elsewhere. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY The balance between social needs, the environment, and the economy increasingly is called “sustainable economic development.” There are three main aspects of sustainability: Economic, Social, and Environmental: Economic Sustainability Refers to the long-term economic vitality of the regional economy. A healthy economy creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to profit and provide living-wage employment opportunities for the community. A living-wage pays the area specific cost of living for food, housing, clothing, health care, as well as the costs associated with raising a family. Social Sustainability The quality of life and health of the community is a prime concern when considering economic development issues. Needs such as affordable housing, education, health, general safety, and equal rights under the law, ethics, community participation, intact civil society must be in place to sustain a vibrant community. Available employment opportunities, apprenticeships and mentorships, will help instill a culture of work for County residents. Environmental Sustainability The natural environment provides many economic opportunities for County residents. Resource extraction, farming, and tourism and their value added opportunities all depend on a healthy environment for their continued success. Sustainable methods of local production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste -recovery in the food system contribute to enhancing and protecting the health of our environment and our residents. The utilization of the natural environment should not jeopardize the availability of resources for future use over the long-term. GOALS AND POLICIES Economic growth with job creation, diversity, sustainability, and environmental protection constitute the focus of the following goals and policies. GOAL: EDG 1.0 Make Jefferson County the best place to live, work, and conduct business by creating a diverse sustainable economy. POLICIES: EDP 1.1 Support opportunities for retention, and expansion of existing local businesses, employment opportunities, and recruitment of new businesses that provide living-wage jobs, that preserve and enhance Jefferson County’s quality of life. EDP 1.2 Encourage a range of opportunities, economic activities, and businesses that serve both the needs of local residents and visitors to Jefferson County. EDP 1.3: Ensure the right to food security for all residents. GOAL: EDG 2.0 Encourage programs aimed at providing apprenticeships, mentorships, education, job training and retraining, and skills enhancement that are responsive to the changing needs of local businesses and residents. POLICIES: EDP 2.1 Promote the full use (after hours) of schools, community centers, and other public facilities to expand education opportunities. EDP 2.2 Encourage public and private agencies to expand existing programs and establish new occupational programs for high-school students to experience the culture of work. EDP 2.3 Create a consortium of adult education providers to coordinate class offerings, facilities, and staff resources available to Jefferson County residents who seek high school degrees, G.E.D., remedial education, vocational training and retraining, skills or knowledge enhancement, professional certification, two year degrees, four-year degrees, and advanced degrees. EDP 2.4 Encourage programs aimed at providing education, job training and retraining, mentorships, apprenticeships and skills enhancement that are responsive to the changing needs of local businesses and residents. EDP 2.5: Foster community food literacy, including educating all students from Kindergarten through High School. GOAL: EDG 3.0 Establish a Targeted Industry Program that promotes Jefferson County’s strengths, advantages, and potential in the following industries: • Health Care; • Gerontology/Retirement; • Marine Trades; • Natural Resources; • High-Technology; • Value-added products; • Local Food and Agriculture; • Agriculture/Aquaculture; • Telecommunications; • Tourism (including Native, Cultural, and Agricultural); and • Local and Native Arts (including fine arts and crafts) POLICIES: EDP 3.1 Support efforts of economic development agencies to: a. Establish criteria for a targeted industry program; b. Utilize the established criteria to prioritize economic development efforts; and c. Seek funding for the targeted industrial program. EDP 3.2 Encourage businesses that: a. Pay living wages; b. Mitigate their impacts on public infrastructure and the natural environment; c. Add value to natural resources; d. Are environmentally sound; e. Expand the County’s tax base; f. Enrich the County’s cultural and health care resources; and g. Protect local agricultural land; and h. Address the needs of an aging population. EDP 3.3 Encourage the expansion of employment opportunities in the economic sectors identified in the Targeted Industry Program. GOAL: EDG 4.0 Coordinate efforts with federal, state and accountable local economic development groups to promote a healthy and vibrant economic environment within Jefferson County. POLICIES: *** GOAL: EDG 5.0 Provide regulatory incentives to encourage and facilitate economic opportunities within the County. POLICIES: EDP 5.1 Continue to work with state, federal and local agencies to coordinate and streamline environmental review procedures and processes. EDP 5.2 Continue to work towards internal coordination and consistency in the application of development regulations and standards. EDP 5.3 Periodically review and update, if necessary, land-use and permitting procedures to assure that regulatory processes are understandable, predictable and timely. EDP 5.4 Develop planned actions under SEPA for geographic areas, such as master planned resorts, urban growth areas, and limited areas of more intensive rural development. EDP 5.5: 10. Collaborate with government and the business community to develop and maintain infrastructure needed to support local food production and distribution. GOAL: EDG 6.0 Encourage and support economic development for rural and urban lands. POLICIES: EDP 6.1 Use land use designations such as Industrial Land Banks (ILBs), Major Industrial Developments (MID), Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRD), Rural Village Centers, Rural Crossroads, and the allowed uses specific to each designation to support regional alliances and economic clusters to attract investment and sustain economic activity. EDP 6.2 Encourage the establishment of new sustainable natural resource-based activities in rural areas to increase employment opportunities. Natural resource-based activities shall be located near the agriculture, mineral, aquaculture or forest resource upon which they are dependent. EDP 6.3 Allow for low-impact home-based businesses and cottage industries, agritourism including bed and breakfasts, small scaled tourist and recreational uses, and other uses that serve tourists and the traveling public, in rural residential areas. EDP 6.4 Encourage the provision of technology that fosters home-based businesses, (i.e., telecommuting, fiber optics, etc.). EDP 6.5 Encourage senior living facilities that have multi-modal access to commercial districts and health care facilities. EDP 6.6 Encourage those businesses that produce value-added products EDP 6.7 Conserve and enhance existing agriculture and encourage future innovative agriculture ventures and technologies. EDP 6.8 Direct new industrial/associated commercial development in the Glen Cove area to areas within the logical boundaries established under the provisions of RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d) while continuing to work with the City of Port Townsend, Port of Port Townsend, PUD, economic stakeholders and economic development agencies regarding capital facility and land use. EDP 6.9 Protect the Port of Port Townsend’s industrial properties, waterfront and all other public assets entrusted and managed by the Port and established by legislative mandate to enhance economic vitality and quality of life for the citizens of Jefferson County. EDP 6.10: 4. Support both rural and urban food agriculture that reduces our reliance on food items produced elsewhere that can be produced locally. GOAL: EDG 7.0 Support human and social services necessary to encourage a strong local economy and a healthy community. POLICIES: EDP 7.1 Support social service agencies and programs that promote employment and the culture of work, address community needs, and help maintain a vibrant healthy working community. EDP 7.2 Support the location, development and maintenance of special needs, social service facilities within the boundaries of designated Rural Centers and Urban Growth Areas, including but not limited to job retraining, health care, day care, elder care, education, transportation, nutrition programs, and food banks. EDP 7.3 Create facilities to meet the needs of an aging population; health care, recreation, housing, and social services must be accessible and able to adapt as the population ages. EDP 7.4 In cooperation with local jurisdictions and appropriate state and federal agencies, encourage improved access to social services at locations proximate to populations being served (i.e., the Rural Village Centers and Urban Growth Areas) and to adequate transportation services including public transit. EDP 7.5 Increase food self-reliance and community resilience, and encourage landowners to participate in growing food. GOAL: EDG 8.0 Promote the development of tourist and tourist-related activities as a provider of employment and business opportunities in Jefferson County. POLICIES: EDP 8.1 Provide infrastructure for tourist services and promote agricultural tourism, eco- tourism, and native and cultural tourism with revenue generated from the lodging tax. EDP 8.2 Encourage efforts to preserve scenic open space, historic and native villages and local cultural resources that are attractive to both local residents and visitors. EDP 8.3 Encourage the development of small businesses, services, cultural attractions and special events that capture and support tourism. Identify wider uses for these small businesses to also furnish goods and services to the traveling public and local population. EDP 8.4 Encourage public access to water bodies and scenic drives through signage, maps, scenic pull-offs, public information programs and other means of identifying areas and features of interest. EDP 8.5 Maximize the sale and local-use of food produced in Jefferson County. GOAL: EDG 9.0 Encourage economic development that sustains natural resources and open spaces, protects environmental quality and enhances Jefferson County’s overall quality of life. POLICIES: EDP 9.1 Support and protect the economic value and long-term sustainability of Jefferson County’s environmental resources. EDP 9.2 Develop and update land use policies that conserve resource lands and provide sustainable employment opportunities. EDP 9.3 Create a system of food agriculture capable of supporting the population of Jefferson County without diminishing the long-term carrying capacity of our natural resources. GOAL: EDG 10.0 Provide, maintain and encourage phased infrastructure development that is adequate to attract and accommodate desired economic growth in areas of Jefferson County consistent with the requirements of the Growth Management Act. POLICIES: EDP 10.1 Support and coordinate efforts with the City of Port Townsend, Port of Port Townsend, PUD, Port Ludlow MPR, infrastructure service providers, and/or other stakeholders to conduct special studies that identify and evaluate infrastructure needs in areas targeted for future commercial and industrial development. EDP 10.2 Ensure that proposed infrastructure and levels of service create opportunity and are able to support current and projected needs. EDP 10.3 Investigate new and/or innovative infrastructure, such as wireless or fiberoptic telecommunications technology, to link Jefferson County with other areas. EDP 10.4 Support efforts to establish public transit service linking Jefferson County with surrounding areas. EDP 10.5 Collaborate with government and the business community to develop and maintain infrastructure needed to support local food production and distribution.1 GOAL: EDG 11.0 Ensure that farming remains a viable and valued vocational option. EDP 11.1 Honoring food farmers’ basic needs, and providing opportunities for agricultural education; EDP 11.2 Collaborating to develop agricultural support systems; EDP 11.3 Working to build shared infrastructure that allows farms to remain decentralized and take on less debt in order to function; and EDP 11.4 Identifying and helping to remove barriers to land acquisition and use by new farmers. STRATEGIES A. ADEQUATE LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Jefferson County’s economic development strategy includes ensuring that land use and planning decisions provide for an adequate supply of zoned land, public services and infrastructure, and an efficient and timely permitting process to facilitate the development of future industrial, commercial, and manufacturing activities. Action Items 1. Establish an Industrial Land Bank in close proximity to a UGA for the siting of major industrial developments outside designated Urban Growth Areas that is consistent with RCW 36.70A.365 and 36.70A.367 (Corresponding Goal 6.0) 2. In cooperation with the City of Port Townsend, the Port of Port Townsend, private enterprises, and Economic Development organizations, pursue a study of industrial and commercial lands 1 Note: This was also inserted in support of Goal 5.0. It could fit either or both places. County-wide to determine whether there is an adequate land base to support future economic development activities. Among other things, this study should identify suitable land in urban, rural and resource settings. (Corresponding Goal: 5.0) 3. Provide opportunities and infrastructure for senior living inside or in close proximity to commercial centers and recreation centers 4. Support farming as an essential part of local and regional economy and support uses that add value to agricultural products and sustain agriculture in rural lands. (Corresponding Goals: 1.0, 6.0, 11.0) 5. Work with educational professionals and economic development authorities to obtain additional funding to support existing educational programs such as those operated by the Jefferson Educational Foundation. (Corresponding Goals: 1.0, 2.0) 6. Aid local efforts, to secure an expanded Peninsula College Branch Campus. (Corresponding Goals: 2.0) 7. Actively promote mentorships, apprenticeships, vocational training and educational opportunities that strengthen and increase the skills available in the local workforce. (Corresponding Goals: 1.0, 2.0) 8. Encourage educational outreach programs (such as WSU, Peninsula College, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, and private programs) designed to train people in recreational and tourist related activities, small scale entrepreneurship, and marine trades. (Corresponding Goal: 2.0) 9. Request quarterly visits to distressed areas by State Job Training Office employees to encourage incentives to work, educate the population about the culture and ethics of work, and look for job opportunities and training programs for unemployed adults and teens. (Corresponding Goal: 2.0) 10. Actively engage Community Trade and Economic Development’s (CTED) Tourism Office and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) in promoting distressed areas of Jefferson County as tourist destinations. (Corresponding Goal: 8.0) 11. In cooperation with pertinent State and Federal agencies, the County should work towards developing a plan to ensure the delivery of appropriate services (i.e., education, transportation, etc.) to the special needs populations. (Corresponding Goal: 4.0) 12. When rewriting the land use codes, efforts should be directed towards: • Integrating and simplifying land use regulations; • Ensuring current procedures provide efficient and effective processing, monitoring and decision making; • Developing multiple permitting process tracks to allow increased flexibility and rapid processing of development applications that conform to a prescribed set of regulations. (Corresponding Goal: 5.0) 13. Review the County’s permit review process to ensure current procedures provide efficient, timely and effective processing, monitoring and decision-making. (Corresponding Goal: 5.0) 14. Facilitate the construction of a sewer system for the Irondale/Hadlock UGA to provide greater opportunities for residential, industrial and commercial uses. (Corresponding Goal: 10.0) B. INITIATIVE TO ATTRACT NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Jefferson County’s strategy for economic development incorporates partnerships with agencies, organizations, educational institutions, and local government to foster and attract new economic development activities which are consistent with the County’s resources, vision, and rural character. Action Items 1. Create opportunities for Private Senior Housing development from independent living to nursing facilities (Corresponding Goal: 6.0) 2. In cooperation with other economic development entities, develop a process to identify the availability of financial assistance to support the production of value-added products for resources such as timber, agriculture, and native art and provide incentives for businesses and cottage industries. This process should also identify the availability of incentives, to encourage ecosystem rehabilitative industries. (Corresponding Goal: 3.0) 3. Conserve agricultural lands for production and food security through the following means: • Continue to provide tax incentives (Open Space or Current Use assessments); • Support opportunities for value-added agricultural products; • Continue to provide technical assistance, such as resource conservation plans prepared by the Jefferson County Conservation District or Natural Resources Conservation Service and programs developed by Washington State University Cooperative Extension; • Discourage incompatible uses on adjacent lands, through increased setbacks, limits on utility extensions in agricultural areas, right-to-practice agriculture ordinances, and notification to residential landowners of potential incompatible uses. (Corresponding Goal: 9.0) 4. Ensure the County’s implementation regulations maintain access for the public to the County’s various water bodies, both fresh and salt water, and encourage the creation of tourism related facilities throughout the County including, but not limited to, convention facilities, hotels, bed and breakfast facilities, public and private parks, campgrounds, recreational facilities, and other facilities which will attract and cater to tourists. (Corresponding Goals: 5.0, 8.0) 5. In cooperation with utility providers, develop a co-location utility siting agreement to encourage co-use of utility corridors. (Corresponding Goal: 4.0) 6. Support opportunities for alternative energy and alternative fuel plants such as biodiesel or wind generation. 7. Work with the City of Port Townsend and telecommunications utility providers in an effort to identify ways by which high capacity fiber optic cables and wireless technologies can be best sited to serve the County. (Corresponding Goal: 4.0) 8. Streamline development review processes and regulations to ensure that permitting is timely and effective and does not impose unnecessary cost to the applicant. (Corresponding Goals: 1.0, 4.0) Chapter 11: Utilities Element suggestions, by Heather Graham of the Jeff Co. Local Food System Council 10/1/16 (suggestions in accordance with our councils’ strategic principles) Add Food Waste language to Pg. 9-10. Retaining Food waste is a community resource; create a green waste facility that includes food waste/compost reception, whether at the dump or elsewhere in the county. Make it fiscally advantageous to our Public Works to reduce “Tip Fee’s” for the sake of municipal composting. Helps to accomplish waste reduction goals pg. 40 UTP 7.5-7.6. Add Agriculture –access to rural water, as an issue Pg 11.. Suggestion of Temporary Leases to Water Rights for more active AG. Understand that water futures (well water) for limited watersheds (Chimacum, for example) should be delegated for AG uses as well as Food Processing, and not just a finite amount of Residential Potential. Keep our farm Land, currently used or out of use, Functional for future farmers. Locally-produced food is local population food security! Also, add grey water gardens on properties to help reduce their septic impact, and improve house run- off filtration direction towards critical areas (improve Critical Area health by putting in grey water systems “upstream” towards residential dwellings). Pg. 36 GOAL: UTG 1.0 Provide adequate utility capacity for future growth consistent with the requirements of the Growth Management Act. POLICIES: UTP 1.1 Identify where infrastructure is not adequate to support future growth, initiate planning for the development of infrastructure required for future growth, and ensure that utility infrastructure is adequate to support projected population growth and economic development. UTP1.2 Extension and sizing of facilities will be based on the Land Use Element. In those cases where engineering standards are in excess of the requirements for the immediate development but are required to meet established levels of service for proposed uses and future needs, the excess capacity will not be a reason to allow growth out of sequence with the Land Use Element. UTP 1.3 Require that adequate public facilities and services are available prior to, or concurrent with, development. UTP 1.4 Support efficient permit and application processing for utility systems projects to facilitate timely completion of utility development to meet growth demands. UTP 1.5 Ensure that all citizens served by an expanding public water supply or other utility are represented by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) or otherwise maintain representative and elected leadership to help ensure that long term decisions are made in the best interests of rate payers. UTP 1.6 Recognize the validity of local food system growth to support a growing population, by new allocation of adequate water rights to Agricultural and Food Processing systems, especially in limited watershed areas. (OR maybe in UTP 5.12) UTG 7.0 Provide solid waste facilities and programs that are efficient, and which utilize recycling to the maximum extent practicable. POLICIES: UTP 7.1 Implement, to the fullest extent possible, and in descending order of priority, solid waste management processes that reduce the waste stream, reuse waste materials, promote recycling, provide for the separation of waste prior to incineration or landfill disposal, and provide guidelines and strategies for disposal of all special waste types. UTP 7.2 Initiate and support public educational outreach on solid waste management, including recycling opportunities, methods to reduce solid and chemical waste, and related environmental issues. UTP 7.3 Identify and implement appropriate measures to ensure mitigation of adverse environmental impacts associated with solid waste collection activities. UTP 7.4 Maintain the Solid Waste Advisory Committee involving citizens, waste management providers, regulatory agency representatives, the County, and other affected interests to identify methods for efficient and practical solid waste management, including small and moderate-risk waste handling strategies. UTP 7.5 Provide appropriate levels of collection and recycling opportunities which will maximize public participation, and which offer the fullest practical and economical potential for waste materials. Streamline municipal food composting to preserve mineral resources locally, through land use –designation and restructuring of our Public Works to reduce trash tip fee’s and increase food waste tip fees and retention of mineral resource in the form of compost. UTP 7.6 If incentive programs fail to reach the waste reduction goals identified in the Capital Facilities Element, consider mandatory programs to the extent allowable by State law. UTP 7.7 Identify and preserve for future use solid waste facility sites, including potential landfill sites, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Solid Waste Management Plan. UTP 7.8 Ensure reclamation of areas currently serving as solid waste disposal facilities to promote the recovery of such areas for future functional land uses.