HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Agenda 11-15-2017Jefferson County Planning Commission MEETING AGENDA
Tri-Area Community Center
November 15, 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 – Adoption
• Comprehensive Plan – Economic Element .... David W. Johnson, Associate Planner 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
Preliminary Draft ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Jefferson County’s is an
economically distressed,
rural region with
historical roots in
forestry, agriculture,
fishing and mineral
extraction. A majority of the County’s population suffer from a lack of economic
opportunity. With over two-thirds of the County already in public ownership and
unavailable for economic development, there are very limited areas and economic
development opportunities. Responsible and appropriate future growth
management planning in Jefferson County requires addressing the complexity of
growing and providing job opportunities for all residents while preserving the
county’s outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, ecological resources that is
Jefferson County’s enviable “quality of life.”
The purpose of the Economic Development is to
“establish local goals, policies, objectives, and
provisions for economic growth and vitality and
a high quality of life.” (RCW 36.70A.070). This
Element is closely aligned with the Land Use
Element, Housing Element and Capital Facilities
Element among other comprehensive plan
elements. Comprehensive plan goals and
policies that enable appropriate economic
development, job retention and job growth for
existing and future county residents are directly
linked with goals and policies that empower adequate and affordable housing,
supportive land use and development codes and safe and sufficient infrastructure.
Existing Jefferson County Economic Sectors
Resource based economies: the largest economic sector of Jefferson County by
dollar volume are the natural resource based sectors including private commercial
forestry, timber harvest, and gravel and other mineral resource extraction.
Commercial forestry occupies the largest area of privately owned land in the County
and is a zoned at a minimum of eighty acres per developable parcel.
Did You Know:
Jefferson County’s average annual wage is more than $20,000 less than the state
average?
Unemployment in Jefferson County is
much higher than state and national averages?
Jefferson County’s poverty rate remains in double digits and is significantly
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Agriculture: while occupying much less of the economy than in previous decades,
Jefferson County possesses and designates areas for long-term commercially viable
agricultural production due to its high quality agricultural soils and grazing areas.
Washington State University extension services and programs strongly support
Jefferson County agricultural based economic development through technical
assistance, demonstration/teaching farms, local food resources, and coordination
and serving as an information clearinghouse. The return of agricultural-based jobs
and incomes is slow yet steady and is the focus of increasing support and interest
by agricultural leaders in attracting new and expanding existing agricultural-based
jobs in Jefferson County.
Other Manufacturing, Service Based Jobs and Industries
Jefferson County supports jobs in a broad range of service based jobs and in the
manufacturing, marine trades and maritime industries. These jobs exist in the
incorporated and unincorporated urban growth areas, in the rural commercial and
rural village centers and intermittently throughout other rurally zoned lands. These
include all services related to small businesses, home businesses and cottage
industries, tourist based and food services and health care and medical services.
The service based sectors come in second place in Jefferson County after resource
based economies for total jobs supported and by dollar volume generated.
Existing Conditions, Challenges and Opportunities
Key variables affecting economic development in Jefferson County are:
- An available workforce population with a higher than average educational level;
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- A limited workforce that is increasing in average age or becoming removed
from the workforce through retirements;
- A lack of countywide recovery from the Great Recession that continues to
constrain those trades, goods and services that support economic development
(including recovery of construction, manufacturing and related sectors);
- Legal barriers and limited public sector financing to build infrastructure to
support new or expanded job growth (municipal wastewater treatment,
broadband internet services) especially in rurally zoned areas of Jefferson
County
Jefferson County Demographics and Job Related Statistics
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Agencies and Organizations Leading Jefferson County Economic
Development Partnerships (additional information still being collected; section to
be drafted)
Port of Port Townsend
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EDC Team Jefferson (rewrite as narrative)
Washington State University
North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce
NODC
The North Peninsula Development Council (NODC)
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COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICY #7:
Policy on Economic Development
and Employment
The Countywide Planning Policies direct that the Comprehensive Plan give particular
attention to the needs of nonservice sector businesses and industries and recognize
that some businesses are best suited for the urban growth area (UGA) while others
may be better suited for the rural unincorporated areas.
Factors and Trends Affecting Jefferson County Economic Development
Aging Population
The oldest members of the Baby Boomer generation (1946 – 1964) will either begin
to leave the workforce or have and are retired. This trend can be expected to affect
the economy in ways ranging from housing demand to retail sales to labor force
replacement and health care services demands.
Industrial and Manufacturing Sites
Industrial sites in Jefferson County include the Port of Port Townsend, Port
Townsend Industrial Park (which has become a commercial and business park),
Glen Cove, Eastview, Quilcene Industrial Area, the Irondale/Port Hadlock UGA, the
Port Townsend Paper Mill, 24 acres at the Jefferson County International Airport,
and Resource Based Industrial zoned sites.
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Commercial Development Districts
Commercial development in Jefferson County is mainly concentrated within the City
of Port Townsend, The Irondale Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area, and to a lesser
extent, within the County’s LAMIRDs (local areas or more intense rural
development), which includes Brinnon, Quilcene Discovery Bay, Chimacum, Mats
Mats, Wawa Point, Beaver Valley, Nordland, Gardiner, and Four Corners. The Port
Ludlow and Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resorts also has sites zoned for
commercial development. Home Businesses, Cottage Industries and Small Scale
Tourist Recreational uses are also allowed in most non-commercial zones with a
permit.
Irondale/Port Hadlock UGA
Identified as the primary growth center for unincorporated Jefferson County, the
UGA requires sewer as an “urban level of service” in order to implement new zoning
urban level zoning and density. Phased sewer implementation will facilitate further
economic development as almost one-quarter of the UGA is designated for
commercial land use, including a commercial zone as the largest with 272 acres.
Approximately 25 acres is designated as Urban Light Industrial (all but 5 acres of
which are already in light industrial use). This UGA has been found to be legally
compliant with the Growth Management Act as of January 27, 2010. The County is
currently pursuing funding to construct the wastewater infrastructure to promote
future economic growth in this area.1
Airport Light Industrial Park
One of the projects mentioned in the High Tech Manufacturing section is the light
industrial manufacturing park at the Jefferson County International Airport, also
known as the Airport Light Industrial Park. In 2009 the County approved a rezone
of twenty four acres from rural residential to Airport Essential Public Facility capable
of supporting up to ten small to medium sized low-impact, non-aviation-related
light industrial/manufacturing businesses. As of 2017 the site requires a Binding
Site Plan, clearing and installation of infrastructure before any business operations.
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A strong, stable, diversified and resilient economy provides a high quality of life for
the citizens of Jefferson County and the region. The economy generates the
resources through which local governments provide for the health, safety, and
welfare of its citizens. Therefore, Jefferson County, as a local government entity,
shall promote and provide for economic development, along with public health,
safety, social services and environmental quality.
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 Improve and enhance coordination with federal, state, tribes
and involved local economic development groups to promote a
healthy and vibrant economic environment within Jefferson
County.
POLICIES:
EDP 1.1 Support Team Jefferson and its public and private partners in their
efforts to plan for, promote, educate, attract, build and maintain
businesses and economic development in Jefferson County.
EDP 1.2 Investigate and/or pursue programs, grant funds and other technical
and financial support with federal, state and local agencies to
collectively plan, develop and implement economic growth in high
demand areas.
EDP 1.3 Consult with area Tribal Governments on areas of shared economic
development planning and implementation and to solve shared issues
concerning economic development and unemployment.
GOAL:
EDG 2.0 Support a comprehensive approach to education and training
for employment, job retention and advancement.
POLICIES:
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EDP 2.1 Support the full use (after hours) of schools, community centers, and
other public facilities to expand educational opportunities, job training
and work force development.
EDP 2.3 Support a consortium of education and job skills providers to
coordinate class offerings, facilities, and staff resources available to
Jefferson County residents (teenagers, adults, displaced workers,
veterans, retirees, etc.) 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.
GOAL:
EDG 3.0 Support Jefferson County’s industries that leverage existing
strengths, advantages, and potential in the following areas:
• Health Care;
• Port related economic development
• Marine Trades;
• Natural Resources;
• Advanced Technology/Manufacturing;
• Construction and Real Estate;
• Agriculture/Aquaculture;
• Education;
• Home-Based Business
• Tourism & Retail; and
• Local and Native Arts
POLICIES:
EDP 3.1 Support the efforts of the Port of Port Townsend in diversifying the
Jefferson County International Airport (JCIA) to provide for a broader
number of trades, manufacturing and services. This may include, but
is not limited to, the siting of appropriately scaled aviation and non-
aviation-related EDP industrial/manufacturing activities in the Airport
Essential Public Facilities District.
EDP 3.2 In accordance with Countywide Planning Policy 7.5, recognize the
legislative authority of the Port of Port Townsend as a valuable tool to
implement industry, trade strategies and promote employment
opportunities.
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EDP 3.3 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 3.4 Consider re-zoning Port of Port Townsend residentially zoned property
(Quilcene Marina) to a public facility, to provide more allowed uses for
Port activities to meet its purpose of creating economic benefit.
EDP 3.5 Conserve existing agriculture and encourage future innovative
agriculture ventures and technologies, while managing the water and
soil to be sustainable.
EDP 3.6 Support technology that fosters home-based businesses, (e.g.,
telecommuting, e-commerce, broadband, etc.).
GOAL:
EDG 4.0 Work in partnership with public and private economic
development interests to review barriers, consider regulatory
incentives that encourage and facilitate economic opportunities
within the County.
POLICIES:
EDP 4.1 Continue to work with state, federal and local agencies to coordinate
and streamline land use review procedures and processes.
EDP 4.2 Continue to work towards internal efficiencies in the application of
development regulations and standards, especially for proposed
developments that provide local jobs.
EDP 4.3 Periodically review and update, if necessary, land-use and permitting
procedures to assure that regulatory processes are understandable,
predictable and timely.
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EDP 4.5 Continue to work with the City of Port Townsend, Port of Port
Townsend, PUD, economic stakeholders and economic development
agencies regarding capital facilities and land use in the Glen Cove
Industrial District.
GOAL:
EDG 5.0 Promote the development of tourist and tourist-related
activities as a provider of employment and business
opportunities in Jefferson County.
POLICIES:
EDP 5.1 Provide infrastructure for tourist services and promote agricultural
tourism, eco-tourism, and native and cultural tourism with revenue
generated from the lodging tax.
EDP 5.2 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 5.3 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, and locally grown food to the traveling public and local
population.
GOAL:
EDG 6.0 Encourage economic development that sustains natural
resources and open spaces, protects environmental quality and
enhances Jefferson County’s overall quality of life.
POLICIES:
EDP 6.1 Support and protect the economic value and long-term sustainability
of Jefferson County’s environmental resources.
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EDP 6.2 Develop and update land use policies that conserve resource lands and
provide sustainable employment opportunities.
GOAL:
EDG 7.0 Support 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 7.1 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 7.2 Support the development, production, siting and use of non-fossil
based renewable energy such as solar, wind, water, and ammonia fuel
produced from hydroelectricity.
EDP 7.3 Support a local food system capable of supporting the population of
Jefferson County without diminishing the long-term carrying capacity
of the County’s natural resources.
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