HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Agenda 11-01-2017Jefferson County Planning Commission MEETING AGENDA
Tri-Area Community Center
November 1, 2017
P: 360-379-4450
621 Sheridan St. F: 360-379-4451
Port Townsend WA 98368 plancomm@co.jefferson.wa.us
5
OPENING BUSINESS
• Call to Order/Roll Call
• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of previous Meeting Minutes, if available
• Commissioner Announcements
• Director’s Update 6 DISCUSSION
• Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement–Final Product
• Housing Element Update ............................................ Patty Charnas, DCD Director 7 OBSERVER COMMENT
See Observer Comment Conduct, below. 7 CLOSING BUSINESS
• Summary of today’s meeting
• Follow-up action items
• Agenda Items for the following Planning Commission meeting 7 ADJOURNMENT
• Thank you for coming and participating in your government at work!
Observer Comment Conduct
When the Chair recognizes you to speak, please begin by stating your name and address.
Please be aware that the observer comment period is …
1) An optional time period dedicated to listening to the public, not a question and answer session.
The Planning Commission is not required to provide response;
2) Offered at the Chair’s discretion when there is time;
3) Not a public hearing – comments made during this time will not be part of any hearing record;
4) May be structured with a three-minute per person time limit.
15 PM
00 PM 00 PM
30 PM
30 PM
Jefferson County, WA Vision Statement
11/01/2017 1 FINAL
VISION STATEMENT
Jefferson County, Washington encompasses 1,803 square miles bound on its northern and
eastern shores by the vast Salish Sea with the Pacific Ocean to the west, and touches Hood
Canal at its southeast corner. The terrestrial borders of Jefferson County join with Clallam
County to the north and west, and Mason and Grays Harbor Counties to the south.
Approximately 66% of the total County acreage is in public ownership. Jefferson County
stretches across Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, spectacular rainforests
and mighty rivers including the Queets, Quinault, Bogachiel, Elwha, Duckabush,
Dosewallips and hundreds of miles of shoreline.
The first inhabitants of this vast region were indigenous people belonging to a number of
different tribes who occupied the territory for millennia. Jefferson County respectfully
honors treaty rights as guaranteed to tribal nation signatories of the Point No Point Treaty
of 1885 and other government-to-government agreements. Early settlements by
newcomers began in the mid-1800s. Today’s towns and villages, rural crossroads and tribal
nations in Jefferson County grew from early-established footprints of urban, commercial,
and cultural centers.
We envision a continuation of longstanding planning priorities in Jefferson County to
benefit the quality-of-life of all residents. We embrace a balance of tradition and
innovation in preserving the rural character of our land and lifestyles. Land use priorities
identify open spaces, forests and farmland for long-term management and conservation,
while also embracing innovations that foster opportunities for increased synergy between
natural and built environments. We encourage and facilitate development and utilization
of low-impact techniques, localized bioremediation, and other innovations in housing and
industry that benefit overall ecosystem vitality and biodiversity while aiding ecological
restoration and adapting to climate disruption. We believe that investing in the resilience
of our local economy, culture, and ecosystem yields benefits for current residents and
future generations.
Jefferson County, WA Vision Statement
11/01/2017 2 FINAL
Now and into the Future
Our vibrant community fabric offers opportunity for all residents, including working-class
individuals and families, as well as those who struggle to live, thrive, and age with dignity.
Jefferson County values creativity and life-long learning and reveres constitutional rights,
personal independence and privacy.
We value public access to high-quality education, public services, and facilities. We place
emphasis on community spaces and networks of non-motorized trails, bike lanes, and paths
that encourage active and interactive communities of healthy individuals. We prioritize
access for community members of all ages to safe and active environments, to health care
including mental health care, preventative care, and long-term care, as well as access to
healthy, local food. We continually strive for invigoration of our local economy through an
intentional balance and integration of diversified economic activity, including food system
development, marine trades, resource-based, high-tech and science-based trades, and
sectors relating to tourism, art and civics, as well as improved infrastructure networks to
support a robust economy. We believe that investing in the resilience of our local
economy, culture, and ecosystem yields benefits for current residents and future
generations.
We honor and respect that the natural world is integral to our health and lifestyles. We
protect our open spaces, shorelines, forests, clean air and clean water, wildlife and
wildlife habitat so that future generations may also practice stewardship of the land, the
seas, and the communities of Jefferson County.
HOUSING ELEMENT Preliminary Draft Update
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HOUSING ELEMENT
Jefferson County continues to
exist as a rural region that
provides ideal lands for outdoor
recreation, conservation and
resource-based jobs. While the
approximately 31,000 residents
highly value this enviable “quality of life” there is an existing and growing lack of
affordable housing for many sectors of the population, especially for the moderate,
low and very-low income households. Since the last periodic update of the
Comprehensive Plan in 2004, Jefferson County has not experienced appreciable
growth in population, jobs or residential development. This is despite a general
recovery from the Great Recession and a growth in rural regions of adjacent
jurisdictions. Without question, Jefferson County is challenged by a lack of
economic opportunities and a very real shortage of affordable housing.
The purpose of the Housing Element is to ensure the vitality and character of
residential neighborhoods by assessing existing and future needs for housing in
Jefferson County so that housing is available for all economic segments of the
community now and in the future. Existing residential patterns, demographic trends
and projected population growth typically provide the basis for this assessment. In
light of significant and growing gaps in rural economic development and affordable
and available housing, the Housing Element periodic update will closely align with
• Economic Development: moderately-priced housing is critical to support job
creation and expansion
• Capital Facilities/Utilities and Transportation Elements: additional housing is best
planned for where there is existing or planned utilities, transit/transportation
routes and other community levels of service
• Land Use Element: land use designations and implementing development
standards are key to supporting housing goals and policies.
This Element addresses the range of housing opportunities and in particular, the
challenges that confront Jefferson County in providing affordable housing options
now and over the 20-year planning period. The County will work cooperatively with
public and private housing providers to create and maintain safe and attractive
housing stock and encourage the siting and development of affordable housing.
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
Jefferson County’s residents occupy a range of housing types including private
individual single-family residences (9,761), mobile homes and manufactured units
(2,881), multi-family complexes, including duplexes, condominiums and
apartments (365). Throughout Jefferson County, accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
are allowed in all residential zones; the exact contribution of ADUs to overall
housing stock in the County is not known. Based on the countywide planning
policies adopted by Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend, approximately
thirty-six percent of all new population growth is targeted to occur in the City of
Port Townsend, which is currently the County’s single incorporated urban growth
area. The City of Port Townsend’s Comprehensive Plan calls for a range of
household sizes, housing types and densities. The City possesses urban levels of
planned density and is supported by urban levels of services such as municipal
wastewater treatment.
Housing development at higher densities in the County’s unincorporated areas are
possible in the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA). Urban housing densities,
however, are stymied by a lack of municipal wastewater treatment. A sewer facility
plan was prepared in 2009 and received state review and approvals along with site
design, engineering and a financing plan. Construction of the Port Hadlock UGA
wastewater treatment project has not begun. Funding to begin the sewer system’s
installation is not available. For this periodic update, consideration will be given to
options that help in the planning and development of housing in the Port Hadlock
UGA while funding and resources continue to be sought for a sewer system.
Port Townsend and Port Ludlow are presently the only two communities that have
level of service standards that would accommodate the density, services and other
criteria for locating multi-family residential housing. The Port Hadlock UGA is
planning for a sewer service area that will meet requirements for higher density
housing.
Jefferson County contains a predominately-rural residential land use pattern. This
pattern allows single-family dwellings throughout a majority of Jefferson County.
The Port Ludlow Master Planned Resort, Port Hadlock UGA and Rural Village Centers
of Brinnon and Quilcene provide opportunities for greater densities and the creation
of multi-family housing units, depending on available infrastructure.
Since the last Comprehensive Plan update in 2004 and continuing for the current 20
year planning period, population growth is expected to occur at a very modest rate
(~1% annually). There is sufficient undeveloped, under-developed and vacant land
available to accommodate future housing needs on a gross unit basis. While there is
sufficient undeveloped rural residentially-zoned land in the unincorporated county,
the barriers to adding to the county’s housing stock in a way that provides
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affordability is constrained by the minimum acreage for creation of new parcels
(five acres), land costs, and utility creation/installation costs and availability (legally
available water supply and affordable on-site waste water treatment). These factors
are principle contributors to a well-documented 2017 “affordable housing crisis.”
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Countywide Planning Policy #6:
Policy on the Provision of
Affordable Housing
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Some selected statistics on Jefferson County housing, household types and housing
affordability appear below:
Table 5- 1
Housing Units by Type 2011-2015 US Census Bureau American Community Survey Selected
Housing Characteristics for Jefferson County, WA
Type of Housing
Number of Units Percent of Total Units
Single Family
Detached 13,698 76.5%
Attached 263 1.57%
Total Single Family 12,997 77.9
Multi-Family
2 to 4 Units 566 3.2%
5 to 9 Units 233 1.3%
10 or More Units 630 3.5%
Total Multi-Family 1,429 8.0%
Mobile, Manufactured 2,247 12.5%
Boat, RV, van, etc. 277 1.5%
Total Housing Units 17,914 100.0%
Total occupied housing units is 13,422
Port Hadlock housing
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Table 5- 2
Household Type and Size countywide
Persons per
Household
Percent of
Households
Percent of
Family Households
Percent of
Non-Family Households
1 32.2 N/A* 80.1%
2 45.9 65% 17.5%
3 10.7 16.9% 1.6%
4 6.8 10.9% 0.6%
5 2.6 4.2% 0.1%
6 1 1.7% 0.1%
7+ .8 1.3% 0.0
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Table 5- 3
Household Income and Monthly Housing Costs 2011-2015 US Census Bureau
American Community Survey Selected Housing Characteristics for Jefferson County, WA
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Table 5- 4 Housing Affordability Levels by Income Group
Income
Group
Definition Annual
Household
Income
Affordable
Monthly
Housing
Cost
Affordable
Monthly Rent
Affordable
Mortgage
Payment
Extremely
Low Income
Less than
30% of
Median
$0-14,061 $351 $0-263 $0-228
Very Low
Income
31% to 50%
of Median
$14,062-
23,435 $352-586 $273-454 $238-396
Low Income 51% to 80%
of Median
$23,436–
37,966 $587-937 $470-750 $418-656
Moderate
Income
81% to 95%
of Median
$37,967-
$44,527 $938-1,113 $774-918 $687-807
Middle
Income
96% to
120% of
Median
$44,528-
56,244
$1,114-
1,406 $947-1,195 $844-1,022
Upper
Income
Greater than
121% of
Median
$56,245 $1,406 $1,230 $1,097
*Data based from 2010 Census
Notable Other Statistics regarding Jefferson County Households and
Housing Affordability
• The U.S. Housing and Urban Development department (HUD) found that for low-
income renter households (households at ≤ 80% of average median income or
AMI), 67% are “cost-burdened” (pay more than 30% of their total income for
housing).
• Thirty-eight percent of low-income renters are “extremely cost burdened.” For
renter with very-low incomes (< 50% AMI), 75% are cost-burdened and 55%
are extremely cost-burdened.
• Twenty-five percent of all low income, owner-occupied households in Jefferson
County are cost-burdened and 30% are extremely cost-burdened.
• For very-low-income households, 65% are cost-burdened and 40% are
extremely cost-burdened.
• Jefferson County has the highest median age in the State of Washington at 53.9
years, with a negative natural increase--deaths outpacing births. Population
increase is attributed primarily to migration (2016 Population Trends, OFM).
Meeting the housing needs of an aging population will be an increasingly
important issue in the next 20 years.
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Assisted Housing Programs and Resources in Jefferson County
Jefferson County participates and supports area programs that provide housing
assistance to income-limited families and individuals and to other special needs
groups. The Peninsula Housing Authority, Olympic Community Action Programs and
other public and private, non-profit groups provide assistance in the form of
funding, services, home rehabilitation and/or homeownership help. Based on recent
data, there are insufficient funds and resources to serve all individuals and
households that qualify for housing assistance. There is a well-documented lack of
affordable rental apartments and houses. The lack of affordable rental units means
that households that qualify for rental assistance cannot find homes and
apartments whose rent meets “fair market rates.” Another challenge to planning
and developing affordable housing is the desired proximity that in needed to
services that help the County’s most vulnerable populations including the low-
income elderly, disabled Veterans, disadvantaged youth, and persons with mental
and/or physical disabilities.
The Annual Point in Time Count found 189 homless in Jefferson County on January 26, 2017
Homelessness
Homelessness in Jefferson County is a very real problem not confined to any one
sector of the County’s population. Homelessness occurs in a variety of ways. Some
families or individuals experience job loss, reduced household income, domestic
violence, increases in housing, living and medical costs and other displacing events.
Some become suddenly homeless and others may be chronically homeless.
Homelessness includes those that are accommodated in emergency shelters, stay
temporarily with family or friends or other transitory housing or are “unsheltered”
living on the streets, in forested areas, in vehicles or other conditions that do not
provide safe shelter. Jefferson County’s current regulations do not support
transitory accommodations, temporary encampments or other ways to provide
additional options for temporary housing for the homeless. This update will include
goals and policies that address a variety of means to provide shelter and supportive
services to transition the homeless and other vulnerable populations to more
permanent housing.
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HOUSING
GOALS AND POLICIES
Safe, affordable housing is a fundamental need for all citizens in Jefferson County.
Jefferson County communities are strong, vibrant and healthy when there is safe
and reliable housing that meets the full range of income levels, household sizes,
preferences and needs. Jefferson County citizens’ average household incomes have
not kept up with increasing prevailing housing costs. The result is a widespread lack
of safe and affordable housing for many county citizens and especially for
populations with special needs.
Community feedback and public comments to date reflect a strong desire for
improved housing opportunities on a countywide basis to address affordability,
homelessness and improved access to economic opportunities.
GOAL:
HSG 1.0 Encourage and support efforts to increase housing availability
for County residents of all income groups.
POLICIES:
HSP 1.1 Identify locations where housing development can be promoted and
work with inter-jurisdictional and public-private cooperative groups to
increase a broad spectrum of housing supplies including market-rate
homes, moderately-priced homes and housing for lower income
households.
HSP 1.2 Assess the progress of Countywide Planning Policy #6 to better
document successes, challenges and opportunities to inform housing
programs, the development community and housing advocacy groups
HSP 1.3 Update code and development standard that preserve existing higher
densities and improve housing development and redevelopment
opportunities in county Urban Growth Areas, Rural Village Centers, Rural
Crossroads, and Master Planned Resorts .
HSP 1.3 Provide public and private, non-profit housing assistance programs with
information on areas where moderate-to-low income housing can be
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accommodated based on zoning, existing lot density, access to transit,
jobs or other support services.
HSP 1.4 Support the Peninsula Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, and
Olympic Community Action Programs, in their efforts to assist income-
limited households with funding for home repairs and other housing
rehabilitation assistance.
GOAL:
HSG 2.0 Promote a variety of housing choices throughout the County
with innovative land use practices, community redevelopment
strategies, development standards, design techniques, and
building and infrastructure permit requirements.
POLICIES:
HSP 2.1 Explore regulatory opportunities that help minimize costs to developing
affordable housing while ensuring that public health, safety and
environmental quality standards are not compromised.
HSP 2.2 Encourage and support greater opportunity for the development of
innovative housing types to increase the inventory of affordable housing
throughout the County. Work cooperatively with public and private
housing experts on community redevelopment strategies, residential
mixed-use development, single and multi-family attached housing,
duplexes, triplexes, apartment houses, mixed-use, senior and multi-
care facilities, community housing, farm worker housing, tiny homes,
etc. Encourage development patterns such as clustering in Rural Village
Centers and Urban Growth Areas, provided adequate infrastructure and
services are in place.
HSP 2.3 Pursue demonstration and pilot projects that document the safety and
reliability of innovative technologies such as composting toilets, gray
water systems, site-specific nutrient management plans, water
conservation, and net zero energy systems that minimize housing
development costs, reduce environmental impacts and provide more
affordable housing options throughout the County.
HSP 2.4 Initiate housing development in response to the critical lack of worker
housing in the Port Hadlock urban growth area and other established
rural employment areas that allows higher residential density to be
served by other than public sewer.
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HSP 2.5 Review and revise development standards and land use codes to allow
for manufactured home and RV parks as a way to increase housing
supplies.
HSP 2.6 Consider development standards that would provide bonus densities in
return for providing a percentage of low or moderate-income housing
units for multi-unit residences in the future Irondale/Port Hadlock
Urban Growth Area.
HSP 2.7 Reference the Transportation, Capital Facilities, Utilities, and Urban
Growth Area Elements of this Plan for public facilities planning in
connection to planning for affordable housing development sites.
GOAL:
HSG 3.0 Develop and maintain partnerships with the housing assistance
programs, and other public and private groups and agencies to support maintenance and rehabilitation of existing housing
stock and provide new and affordable housing opportunities.
POLICIES:
HSP 3.1 Support weatherization, housing rehabilitation and energy conservation
activities and programs to ensure households are safe and well
maintained for low-income households.
HSP 3.3 Coordinate with the Peninsula Housing Authority and other groups and
agencies to identify areas most in need of rehabilitation assistance and
infrastructure improvements. To the extent possible, coordinate public
investments in capital infrastructure with rehabilitation efforts.
HSP 3.4 Reinvigorate cooperative city-county coordination regarding affordable
housing, low-income and special needs household assistance and
regulatory updates to support affordable housing development
throughout Jefferson County. Determine and fund staffing and other
resources necessary to sustain continuous coordination regarding
affordable housing.
GOAL:
HSG 4.0 Pursue a transitory housing program to address homelessness
and encourage the development of housing for people with
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special needs (individuals who require assistance for disabilities
that may be physical medical, social or psychological).
POLICIES:
HSP 4.1 Allow for a continuum of care for special needs populations, in UGAs and
Rural Village Centers, including emergency housing, transitional
housing, assisted living, group homes, senior housing and low-income
housing.
HSP 4.2 Encourage and support the development and implementation of a
transitory accommodation permitting process that allows for single-
family, small and large indoor and outdoor transitory and safe park
accommodations in cooperation with willing public and private
landowners.
HSP 4.4 Coordinate with Olympic Community Action Programs, the Peninsula
Housing Authority, nonprofit housing providers, and other public and
private housing interests to ensure that low income and special needs
housing is sited in locations that are adequately served by necessary
support facilities and infrastructure.
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