HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda PC 2017 12-20Jefferson County Planning Commission MEETING AGENDA
Tri-Area Community Center
December 20, 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 5 OBSERVER COMMENT
See Observer Comment Conduct, below. 6 DISCUSSION
• Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement – Adoption
• Critical Areas Ordinance – Agriculture ........... Donna Frostholm, Associate Planner 7 CLOSING BUSINESS
• Additional Observer Comment (if needed)
• Summary of today’s meeting
• Follow-up action items 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
15 PM
30 PM
30 PM
45 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 1855 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.
Jefferson County DCD December 20, 2017 1
CRITICAL AREAS AND AGRICULTURE
SUMMARY OF REVISIONS
Chapter 18.22 JCC (Critical Areas):
Added Article XIII (Agriculture) to critical areas chapter.
• JCC 18.22.AAA specifies when the new article is applicable for agricultural uses and
development
• JCC 18.22.BBB lists regulated agricultural activities
• JCC 18.22.CCC presents alternative options for farmers to address wetlands and fish and wildlife
habitat conservation areas:
o Conservation District prepares biological reports for permitting
o Reduced buffers
o Working buffer
• JCC 18.22.DDD identifies benchmark criteria for agricultural compliance with critical areas
requirements
JCC 18.30.020 (Performance Standards for Agricultural Activities and Accessory Uses):
Revisions limited to making existing performance standards consistent with critical areas update and
consolidating definitions in a single portion of the Unified Development Code.
• 18.20.300(1) – Definitions:
o deletes definitions (which are in JCC 18.10.010)
o adds in a Purpose section
• 18.20.030(2) – Agricultural Activities:
o clarifies that new agriculture requires compliance with critical areas regulations
o clarifies limits to maintenance and repair exemption
o deletes subsections (such as ‘no harm’ requirement and functions and values
description) that are addressed in critical areas chapter
o clarifies that a land use permit may be needed in cases where a building permit is not
needed
• 18.20.030(3) – Accessory Uses
o clarifies when accessory uses are allowed and revises requirements for accessory uses