HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 0525 95LC: PCG Pl_ 5-';k6 -CL5
STATE OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
An ordinance designating and conserving, }
on an interim basis, agricultural lands of }
long-term commercial significance, as } Ordinance No. 08-0525-95
required by Chapter 36.70.A RCW }
Section 1.00 Purpose: The intent of this ordinance is to designate and conserve agricultural lands
of long-term commercial significance. Lands not designated as agricultural land of long-term
commercial significance are not required or encouraged to convert to other uses. On the contrary,
agriculture is encouraged on all lands where it can be practiced without promoting conflict with
adjacent land uses or posing the threat of environmental degradation. Specific purposes include:
1. To sustain and enhance agricultural operations of long-term commercial
significance by protecting from incompatible development those lands that can be
economically and practically managed for agricultural production.
2. To support the continued economic significance of agriculture in Jefferson
County through designating those parcels that are currently farmed, greater than
20 acres in size and contain prime farmland soils as long-term commercially
significant.
3. To support the continued economic significance of agriculture in Jefferson County
through providing the opportunity for owners of other lands to gain the
protections afforded by this ordinance by opting into the agricultural lands
designation.
4. To alleviate the pressure experienced by owners of agricultural resource land to
convert their land to more intense uses.
5. To alert potential purchasers as to the location of agricultural resource lands, and
the nature of land uses and activities to be expected within such areas.
1.10'Findings: The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners enter the following findings:
1. The Washington State Legislature adopted the Growth Management Act, Engrossed
Substitute House Bill 2929, now codified as Chapter 36.70A RCW, which, in part,
requires local governments to classify, designate and regulate to conserve resource lands.
2. In accordance with RCW 36.70.A.050, the (then) Washington State Department of
Community Development established Minimum Guidelines to classify and designate
resource lands, codified as Chapter 365-190 WAC.
1
,VOL 21 rAs�620
3. On June 13, 1994, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Resolution No.
67-94, a resolution addressing the absence of agricultural lands of long-term commercial
significance in Jefferson County.
4. On September 8 and 9 1994, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings
Board received petitions for review of the interim mineral and forest land ordinances,
together with Resolution No. 67-94 addressing agricultural lands, from the Olympic
Environmental Council, the Washington Environmental Council and the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources.
5. On October 28, 1994, the County adopted an emergency ordinance, Ordinance No. 16-
1028-94, which committed the County to adopting new interim resource land ordinances
by November 30, 1994, and reopened the public process for the submission of comment
on potential designation.
6. Following advertisement in the Port Townsend/Jefferson County Leader for the
submission of further information from interested parties, the County adopted an
emergency ordinance, Ordinance No. 17-1128-94, on November 28, 1994, which
extended the deadline for adoption of new interim resource land ordinances to
December 14, 1994.
7. In response to an identified need for an expanded analysis and public review process for
forest resource lands, the County adopted Ordinance No. 18-1212-94, an emergency
ordinance extending the timeline for completion of replacement interim resource land
ordinances to February 13, 1995.
8. On January 11, 1995, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board held
a public hearing on the merits of the appeals filed by the Olympic Environmental Council,
the Washington Environmental Council, and the Washington State Department of Natural
Resources on the County's existing interim resource land regulations.
9. On February 16, 1995, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board
issued its final decision and order (Case No. 94-2-0017) on the appeals of the County's
interim resource land regulations.
10. The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board found Resolution No. 67-
94 out of compliance with the Growth Management Act on the grounds that it did
not comply with the requirements of the Growth Management Act relating to the interim
designation and protection of agricultural lands.
2
L.vol. 21 FAU 621
11. Specifically, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board found that
there was no evidence in the record to support the County's non -designation of
agricultural lands and that the language in the resolution postponing this action until the
adoption of the comprehensive plan directly conflicted with the requirements of the GMA.
12. The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board directed the County to
adopt an ordinance that designates and protects agricultural lands consistent with RCW
36.70A within 60 days of February 16, 1995.
13. Working in response to this decision, the County commenced drafting an ordinance
intended to designate and conserve any agricultural lands of long-term commercial
significance determined to exist within it's unincorporated lands.
14. Extensive reference was made to the written testimony received in November 1994 in
drafting the proposed ordinance.
15. Review of the November 1994 testimony, the findings contained within Resolution # 67-
94 and Federal statistics, provided the following information about the agricultural sector
in Jefferson County.
16. According to data provided in the'County and City Data Book, 1994' published by the
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1990 farm earnings in Jefferson County accounted
for 2.7% of total county earnings, this figure being less than the state-wide average of
2.8%.
17. According to data provided in the 'County and City Data Book, 1994' published by the
U.S. Department of Commerce, the total number of farms in Jefferson County fell by 41
over the period 1982 - 1987.
18. According to data provided in the 'County and City Data Book, 1994' published by the
U.S. Department of Commerce, the average value of products sold per farm in Jefferson
County for 1987 was $21,775. This figure is $65,225 less than the 1987 state-wide
average of $87,000.
19. Proximity to markets is identified as a relevant criterion for the designation of agricultural
land of long-term commercial significance by the Minimum Guidelines (Chapter 365-190-
050(1)0) WAC).
20. The predominant agricultural activity in Jefferson County, as measured by acres farmed
and employment, is dairy farming.
3
"VOL 21 m,,622
1 21. Jefferson County is located approximately sixty (60) miles from the major regional
2 demand centers for dairy products and no approved facilities for processing dairy products
3 are located on the Olympic Peninsula, requiring that unprocessed and unpackaged milk be
4 transported elsewhere.
5
6 22. Transportation costs play a significant role in determining the commercial viability of a
7 farming enterprise.
9
23.
Significant numbers of large dairy farming operations with associated processing facilities
10
are located in Snohomish and Skagit Counties, immediately adjacent to the major demand
11
centers for dairy products.
12
13
24.
Transportation costs for these dairy farms are substantially lower than for competing dairy
14
farms located in Jefferson County.
15
16
25.
Dairy farms located in Jefferson County also pay more money than their competitors to
17
receive necessary non -local inputs while receiving essentially the same payment for their
18
products.
19
20
26.
This combination of factors results in Jefferson County dairy farms earning a relatively low
21
profit (or rate of return) for the labor, capital and land invested in the enterprise, thereby
22
raising doubts over their ability to remain in business over the long-term due to their
23
enhanced vulnerability to any downturn in the dairy industry.
24
25
27.
The system for designating and conserving agricultural land of long-term commercial
26
significance contained within this ordinance is the result of a detailed consideration of the
27
spirit and the intent found in the language of the goals and requirements of the GMA,
28
together with the foregoing information.
29
30
28.
Adoption of the agricultural land designation and conservation system contained in
31
this ordinance is considered desirable by the County as it provides the necessary
32
mechanisms to retain land that is both prime agricultural soil and currently farmed in
33
agriculture, while providing the landowner with the ability to supplement their
34
agricultural income through providing appropriately scaled development and use options.
35
36
29.
The Board finds that the parties appealing the original ordinances and resolution agreed to
37
an extension of the 60 day compliance deadline set by the Western Washington Growth
38
Management Hearings Board to June 1, 1995.
39
40
30.
The majority of available staff resources were devoted to producing a new interim forest
41
land ordinance that benefitted from a full public participation process, thereby limiting the
E
. VOL 21 m7623
opportunity for a similar process to be followed in creating an ordinance that designates
and conserves agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance while complying
with mandated deadlines.
31. Failure to adopt an ordinance that designates and conserves agricultural lands of long-term
commercial significance will result in continued uncertainty for owners of these lands and
a fluctuating regulatory environment that has the potential to limit the options available to
the owners of non -designated lands for the legal use and enjoyment of their property.
32. Emergency adoption of this ordinance will remove this possibility of continued regulatory
uncertainty, thereby benefitting all owners of land in unincorporated Jefferson County,
together with residents of this County.
33. The Board of County Commissioners finds that emergency adoption of this ordinance will
lessen regulatory uncertainty by bringing the County into conformance with the
goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act, as identified in RCW
36.70A.170, RCW 36.70A.060, and RCW 36.70A.020.
34. The Board intends that this ordinance shall apply to all property within the unincorporated
areas of Jefferson County, to the extent permitted by law.
35. This ordinance allows for development to proceed in a manner consistent with the rights
of individuals to peacefully use and enjoy their property.
36. These regulations bear a substantial relationship to the public health, safety and welfare of
the County as a whole.
Section 2.00 Policies: It is the goal of Jefferson County to conserve and encourage existing and
agricultural activities on those lands that can be economically and practically managed for such
activities and protect these lands of long-term commercial significance from encroachment and
incompatible uses. These goals shall be accomplished through the following policies:
1. It is the policy of Jefferson County to conserve the agricultural sector by identifying and
designating those lands where the principle and preferred land uses are agricultural and
agriculture related.
2. The primary land use activities in designated agricultural lands shall be the practice
of agriculture and those activities necessary for its continued existence.
3. To promote certainty and continuity in the management decisions of agricultural land
5
VOL. 21 Face 624
I owners, the County shall endeavor to adopt goals, policies and regulations for the
2 conservation of long-term commercially significant agricultural land under the revised
3 Comprehensive Plan, that bear a substantial relationship to those contained within this
4 ordinance.
5
6 4. The County discourages the establishment or expansion of special purpose taxing districts
7 and local improvement districts, or the imposition of rates, charges and fees which may
8 place a financial burden on commercial agricultural land owners, with the exception of the
9 formation or expansion of fire district boundaries.
10
11 5. Land use activities adjacent to designated agricultural land should be sited and designed to
12 minimize conflicts with agricultural activities.
13
14 6. Special development standards for lot size and configuration and dwelling unit location
15 should be adopted for development adjacent to agricultural land.
16
17 7. Agricultural activities performed in accordance with county, state and federal laws should
18 not be subject to legal action as public nuisances.
19
20 8. Notification should be placed on all plats, binding site plans, or building permits that the
21 adjacent land is in resource use and subject to a variety of activities that may not be
22 compatible with residential development. The notice shall state that agricultural activities
23 performed in accordance with county, state and federal laws are not subject to legal action
24 as public nuisances.
25
26 9. The County shall support those land uses adjacent to designated agricultural lands of long -
27 term commercial significance that minimize conflict with agricultural activities.
28
29
30 Section 3.00 Definitions
31
32 3.10 "Agricultural land": means land primarily devoted to the commercial production of
33 horticultural, viticultural, floricultural, dairy, apiary, vegetable, or animal products or of berries,
34 grain, hay, straw, turf, seed, Christmas trees not subject to the excise tax imposed by RCW
35 84.33.100 through 84.33.140, finfish in upland hatcheries, or livestock, and that has long-term
36 commercial significance for agricultural production.
37
38 3.20 "Agricultural land of local significance": is land in addition to designated Class I or Class II
39 farmlands that is of local importance for the production of food, fiber, forage or oilseed crops.
40 Generally, additional farmlands of local importance include those that are nearly prime farmland
41 and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated or managed according to
rel
,VOL 21 m_625
acceptable farming methods. Such farmland may include areas of commercial aquaculture and
mariculture.
3.30 "Commercial Agriculture": Farming activity carried out with the intent of making a profit.
3.40 "Parcel": A legally created lot, parcel, or tract of real property in which the boundary is
defined by a deed recorded in the Jefferson County Auditor's Office; or, a legally created lot,
parcel, or tract of real property that has been defined by a survey recorded pursuant to
Washington State surveying or platting laws.
3.50 "Prime farmland soil": is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical
characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber and oilseed crops and is available for these
uses. (See Part 603.05, National Soils Handbook, Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service.) (WAC 365-190-030(1)(a)).
Section 4.00 Designation of Interim Agricultural Lands of Long -Term Commercial
Significance:
4.10 Designation of Class I Agricultural Land: Any parcel that meets all of the following criteria is
hereby designated as interim Class I Agricultural Land of Long -Term Commercial Significance:
1. More than fifty per cent (50%) of the parcel consists of Prime Farmland, as designated by
the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture;
2. The parcel is nominally 20 acres or greater in size;
3. The parcel is adjacent to parcels of at least three (3) acres in size on 75% or more of its
perimeter.
4. No part of the parcel lies within the boundary of a designated Interim Urban Growth Area.
5. The parcel is currently used or managed for commercial agricultural purposes.
6. The parcel is enrolled in the'Open Space Agricultural Tax Program'
4.20 Designation of Class II Agricultural Land: Any parcel that meets all of the following criteria
is hereby designated as interim Class II Agricultural Land of Long -Term Commercial
Significance:
1. The parcel is nominally 20 acres or greater in size;
7
- VOL 21 ME -626
2. The parcel is adjacent to parcels of at least three (3) acres in size on 75% or more of its
perimeter.
3. No part of the parcel lies within the boundary of a designated Interim Urban Growth Area.
4. The parcel is currently used or managed for commercial agricultural purposes.
5. The parcel is enrolled in the'Open Space Agricultural Tax Program'
4.30 Designation of Class III Agricultural Land (Agricultural Land of Local Significance): The
owner of a parcel that meets all the following criteria may petition the County for designation as
Agricultural Land of Local Significance, in order to gain the protections provided by this
ordinance.
1. No part of the parcel lies within the boundary of a designated Interim Urban Growth
Area.
2. The parcel is a minimum of five (5) acres in size.
3. The subject property is surrounded by parcels no smaller than three (3) acres in
size on 100% of its perimeter.
4. The parcel meets the definition of agricultural land provided by this ordinance at
the time the petition is submitted;
5. The parcel is currently used or managed for commercial agricultural purposes.
4.40 Designation of Fish Hatcheries: Any parcel of land that is used as the upland location of a
finfish hatchery shall also be designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance
by this ordinance.
Section 5.00 Maps: Parcels designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance
shall be identified on maps prepared by the county using the following sources:
1. Jefferson County Assessors Office parcel maps
2. Jefferson County Integrated Data Management System, GIS Data Bases for Public Service
Providers
3. Data provided by the Jefferson County Conservation District
E1.3
dYOL 21 m-._62 f
I Section 6 00 Amendment of Designation:
2
3 Section 6.10 Effective Period: Jefferson County shall allow the submission of petitions for the
4 amendment of agricultural land designations made by this ordinance from the date the ordinance
5 becomes effective to the time it is replaced by a permanent control.
6
7 6.10.1 Forms: With the exception of any required professional reports, petitions for the
8 amendment of agricultural resource land designations made under this ordinance must be
9 made on forms provided by the County and shall be reviewed for completeness prior to
10 formal acceptance.
11
12 6.10.2 Fees: With the exception of costs incurred for publishing any legal notices in the
13 newspaper of record, no fees shall be charged by the County for processing any petitions
14 made under this ordinance section. The petitioner shall, however, be liable for the payment
15 of any consultants they have retained to prepare materials for their petition.
16
17 Section 6.20 Petition for Removal from Designation: The owner of any land so mapped as
18 designated Class I, Class II, or Upland Finfish Hatchery Land may petition the County for
19 removal of said designation in the following circumstances:
20
21 1. Incorrect application of the designation criteria contained in subsections 4.10, 4.20
22 and 4.40 of this ordinance.
23
24 2. Lapse of the 'prime' farmland soil designation due to inability to maintain the
25 drainage of land.
26
27 3. Incorrect identification of a parcel by the county as a finfish hatchery.
28
29 6.20.1 Process:
30
31 1. At least ten days prior to the Hearing Examiner reviewing a petition to amend
32 designation, a legal notice describing the petition, together with the date, time, and
33 location of the hearing shall be published in the County newspaper of record.
34
35 2. The Hearing Examiner shall hold a public hearing on a petition for removal
36 from designation and shall review the petition using the criteria identified in
37 subsections 4.10 and 4.20 of this ordinance.
38
39 3. The Hearing Examiner is hereby assigned the functions, powers and duties incident to
40 holding hearings and making recommendations to the Board on the approval or
41 disapproval of petitions to remove land from the designation made under this
42 ordinance.
E
,VOL 21 mc_628
1 4. The Board of County Commissioners shall review recommendations made by the
2 Hearing Examiner and approve or disapprove the recommendation.
3
4 5. Where the Board disagrees with the recommendation forwarded by the Hearing
5 Examiner, it may hold a hearing and formulate findings and conclusions using the
6 processes identified in subsections 6.20.1.1 and 6.20.1.2.
7
8 6 20 2 Designation Status Following Successful Application: Where the petition for
9 removal from the agricultural resource land designation is successful, the subject property
10 shall revert to the land use and zoning designations that were in effect prior to it being
11 designated agricultural resource land. Where the precise designation no longer exists due
12 to changes in County plans and regulations, the property shall be placed in the land use
13 designation that most closely corresponds with the former designation.
14
15 6.30 Petition for Designation as Agricultural Land of Local Significance:
16
17 6 30 1 Adjacent Property Owners: All petitions for designation as agricultural resource
18 land of local significance shall be accompanied by a listing of all owners of real property
19 where such property lies within one quarter (1/4) mile of the proposed agricultural land.
20
21 6.30.2 Process: Petitions for designation as agricultural land of local significance shall be
22 reviewed by the County using a similar process to that identified in subsection 6.20.1
23 of this ordinance. The County shall, however, review the petition for conformance with
24 the requirements identified in subsection 4.30 of this ordinance and, at least ten days prior
25 to the public hearing, mail a copy of the legal notice to all owners of real property lying
26 within one quarter (1/4) mile of the proposed agricultural resource land.
?7
28
29 Section 7.00 Development Regulations:
30
31 7 10 Base Development Density:
32
33 1. No land designated as Class I, Class Il, or Finfish Hatchery agricultural land of long-term
34 commercial significance shall be subdivided or developed such that its residential density
35 exceeds one unit per twenty (20) acres, when the property owner elects not to use the
36 cluster subdivision option provided in subsection 7.20 of this ordinance.
37
38 2. Lands designated as agricultural resource land of local significance under subsection 4.30
39 of this ordinance shall have a maximum residential density of one dwelling unit per parcel
40 or one dwelling unit per twenty (20) acres, whichever is the greater.
41
42 7.20 Cluster Development: As an alternative to the method of subdivision allowed by subsection
43 7.10 of this ordinance, the owner of a parcel designated as Class I, Class II, or Finfish Hatchery
10
_vol. 21 ra V9
agricultural land of long-term commercial significance may undertake a cluster subdivision. The
objective of a cluster subdivision is to provide a property owner with sufficient development
rights to maintain their ownership options while retaining the maximum amount of land in
agricultural production. A cluster subdivision as allowed by this ordinance shall possess the
following characteristics.
1. Retain a minimum of 60% of the original parcel in agricultural use. This land shall be
dedicated to agricultural activities and managed or jointly owned according to
administrative rules to be separately developed by the County. The 60% figure may be
adjusted downward to a minimum of 50% based upon recommendation to the Board of
County Commissioners from the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner. The Hearing
Examiner shall conduct a public hearing on such a request using the variance procedure
contained in the Jefferson County Subdivision Ordinance.
2. Have a maximum base density of one dwelling unit per five acres, calculated across the
entire area of the parcel (for example, a 20 acre parcel shall have a maximum of four (4)
building lots or home sites).
3. The minimum lot size for any building lot or home site created under the provisions of this
subsection shall be one (gross) acre.
4. Wherever possible, the cluster development shall be located on the parcel so as to
minimize its potential for intrusion upon existing agricultural land uses.
5. Wherever possible, the cluster development shall be located adjacent to existing residential
development and rights of way.
6. Any critical areas located on the subject property may be included in the land dedicated to
agriculture without any adjustment being made to the number of allowed cluster lots due
to the critical area being defined as unbuildable by the County.
7. Development rights from agricultural resource lands in the same ownership may be
transferred to a cluster development on designated agricultural resource land subject to
the following limitations:
A. The minimum lot size requirement specified in 7.20.3
B. A maximum cluster size of twice the number of lots or building sites specified in
7.20.2.
8. Where necessary for the purpose of preserving agricultural land on a parcel, a strip of
11
VOL 21 wA 630
adjacent lots shall be construed as a cluster (for example, cluster lots running along the
perimeter of a parcel that lies adjacent to an existing right of way).
Section 8.00 Uses
8.10 Permitted:
1. Agriculture; floriculture; horticulture; general farming; dairy; the raising,
feeding, and sale or production of poultry, livestock, fur -bearing animals, or
honeybees; Christmas trees; nursery stock and floral vegetation; and other
agricultural facilities and structures accessory to farming and animal husbandry.
2. The extraction and primary processing of mineral resources.
3. Watershed management facilities, including but not limited to diversion devices,
impoundments, dams for flood control, fire control, stock watering, and
hydroelectric generating facilities.
4. Storage of fuels and chemicals used for agriculture subject to all applicable local,
state and federal regulations.
5. Utility and transmission facilities within existing right -of -ways.
6. Treatment of waste water or application of sewage sludge.
7. Single family detached dwellings and mobile/manufactured homes and accessory
residential uses.
8.20 Conditional Uses: The following uses shall be allowed only after obtaining a
conditional use permit. In the design and operation of a development or use authorized by
a conditional use permit in designated agricultural lands, the major emphasis is to be
placed on protecting the ability of the agricultural land owner to conduct a full range of
agricultural activities.
1. Public and semi-public buildings, structures, and uses including but not limited to
fire stations, utility substations, pump stations, wells, and transmission lines.
2. Telecommunication facilities.
12
1 8.30 Setbacks from Class I, Class II, or Finfish Hatchery Land:
2 Upon the date this ordinance becomes effective, the standard setback for a dwelling unit
3 constructed on a parcel that lies immediately adjacent to a parcel designated as Class I,
4 Class II, or Finfish Hatchery agricultural land shall be seventy five (75) feet from the legal
5 property line.
7 8.40 Setbacks from Class III Agricultural Land (Agricultural Land of Local Significance
8 The standard setback for a dwelling unit constructed on a parcel that lies immediately
9 adjacent to a parcel designated as Class III agricultural land shall be thirty five (35) feet
10 from the legal property line.
11
12 8.50 Modification of Setback Requirements: These setbacks requirement shall be strictly
13 adhered to with the following exception:
14
15
1. Where a parcel lying immediately adjacent to designated agricultural land has
16
been created prior to adoption of this ordinance, the residential setback may be
17
reduced when a written waiver is obtained from the owner of the designated
18
agricultural land. If a waiver is granted, the final residential setback shall not be
19
less than that provided by the underlying zoning setback.
20
21
22 Section 9.00 Plat Notation: Jefferson County requires that all plats, short plats, development
23 permits and building permits issued for development activities on, or within three hundred feet of
24 land designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance, shall contain a notice
25 that the subject property is within or near designated long-term commercial agricultural lands on
26 which a variety of commercial activities may occur that are not compatible with residential
27 development. These activities include ploughing, harrowing, seeding, harvesting, livestock
28 movements, manure spreading and storage, silage processing, spraying, stubble burning and
29 vehicle movements, which can generate dust, smoke, noise and odor. The notice shall also state
30 that agricultural activities performed in accordance with county, state and federal laws and
31 accepted best management practices are not subject to legal action as public nuisances.
32
33
34 Section 10.00 Expiration: The provisions of this ordinance shall cease to be effective upon
35 adoption and implementation by the County of a final designation system, and associated
36 development regulations for resource lands, as required by RCW 36.70A.
37
38
39 Section 11.00 Severability: If any section, subsection, or other portion of this ordinance is for
40 any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such section,
41 subsection or portion shall be deemed a separate portion of this ordinance and such holding shall
42 not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
13
VOL 21 r4rp ?
1
2 Section 12.00 Effective Date: This ordinance shall not become effective until ten (10) days
3 following the date of adoption set forth in Section 13.00 below.
4
5
6 Section 13.00 Adoption: Adopted by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners this 25th
7 day of May, 1995.
8
9
10 Seal
11
12
13 r TM '^4 j
14
15� r
16 * h� �►
17 *��+
18
19 �'`• ' "
20
21
22 ATTEST:
23 Lorna De eY, Clerk 6f the Board
24
25
26
27 PRO AS TO FORM:
28
29
30 `'
31 'Da4 Skeen, Jefferson County
32 Prosecutor
14
VOL 21 w, 633
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P J
Glen - . fi:'��.
02 W
a■,WON
i
�■►-1 l� n 11
G.: __ ■ILS
MAP DATA SOURCES:
�i
`� j�1,1�VA
001 rAw �m
RANGE 02 W
JLICHARD WOJT /
Member of the Board
ATTEST,
RNA DELAN
Clerk of the Board
RANGE 01 E
MAP DATA SOURCES:
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE LANDS
Umted$itm Department of Arricvltore Sell
•
Cooxrvetlen Service Soil Survey for ,ett—
EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
°°tP•Am°®°r°Off- r M.M A.—
ORice Real Property Records: Jett.— County
(pµy
CLp55 I AGRICULTURAL LAND
IntegratM Dem Memremeot System. O6 Deta Berm
for P.Elic Sarvia P—id—
POR p7 FORMATIONAL PURPOBES ONLY --
CLAS9 ❑ AOR[CULTURAL LAND
'
SUBJECT TO REVISION
FI NATCREMM
MAY 23:1885
RANGE 01 E
JM.:' f, j
TO: Jefferson County Commissioners
FROM: Dana Roberts 438 22nd Street, Port Townsend, 385-1297
DATE: June 26, 1995
RE: Proposed Agricultural Lands Ordinance
I support the principal of action to safeguard continuing agricultural
activity in Jefferson County. Further, I recommend expanding the proposed
Ordinance to encompass a more inclusive approach. I encourage three
basic changes: 1) Eliminate the size minimum for agricultural parcels; 2)
Expand the agricultural uses permitted; and 3) Allow farming as a use by
right without specific application.
In the on-going evolution of what we call agriculture, we can expect its
processes, duration, seasonality, products, economic scale and
employment, location and requirements to become significantly different
from what we are familiar with today.
Given the underlying purpose of this ordinance -- safeguarding the
agricultural future in Jeffco -- it is especially unfortunate, although
understandable, that limited staff time couldn't have been stretched to
Include much beyond a limited exploration of established older farms,
primarily dairy (See Findings -4130). One track to the farmed future is
represented by the emerging range of small -to -medium, intensive, locally -
oriented market gardens, orchards, smaller animal raising, ornamental
plants, flowers and non -forest species nurseries. Provisions for
aquaculture illustrate another new direction. Still others have yet to be
explored. Before we run out of dairy farms in this county, for example, I
would hope we could see local processing of whatever might not need the
great economy of scale demanded by fluid milk. Exotic cheeses, yogurt or
kindred products might put Jefferson County on the map the way Ben &
Jerry's Ice Cream has done for Vermont. (Maybe "Glen & Roger's Yogurt"??)
I encourage some specific changes in the proposed Ordinance to allow for
such possibilities. First: Size of Parcel:
Because agriculture of the future is already taking place on holdings even
below 5 acres, let alone 20 acres, I urge omitting the words "greater than
20 acres in size and contain prime farmland soils..." from Section 1.2.
Likewise, I recommend omitting parcel size in provisions 4.30.2 and
4.30.3.
Sustainable agriculture is noways as dependent on basic soil type as the
extensive large-scale operations we are accustomed to. The intensive
care and focussed amendment of basic soils is fundamental to successful
yields from pocket -sized operations. The spirit of Policy *7 should apply
without limitation to acerage.
Similarly, it may be preferable to replace the words "commercially
significant" with "economically relevant" to emphasize yield per acre or
employment per acre. The useful focus should be on keeping employment
and money in the county rather than exporting It to other farm states or
other counties in Washington. That can happen on a small scale in some
ways even more effectively than a large scale.
The second change I urge is an expanded view of agricultural
uses of land. This affects Section 8 of the proposed Ordinance and the
definitions in Sections 3.10 and 3.20. We should allow relevant
processing and on-farm sale of produce and product. For example,
packing, storage, refining and kindred treatment of agricultural products
are often appropriate, to increase farm income, employment and diversity.
My third recommendation is elimination of the requirement to
designate lands as agricultural. Given the supportive language of
Policies 2.7 and 2.9, it may be most appropriate to outright recognize the
seemingly inherent right to practice locally -significant agriculture
throughout the county. This may be especially proper since our county's
name comes from that President who, more than any other, recognized the
elemental value and vitue of working the soil productively. Thomas
Jefferson carried on a life-long search for the most suitable varieties and
species of plants, plus a study of yield -increasing techniques and
equipment. Should we not honor this heritage with a recognition of the
right to farm throughout the county, without formal designation? If some
designation is legally required, a minimal approach should apply, so that if
land has not been gardened or farmed in the past 8 years, for example, only
filing of a simple map and tax -billing identification would be required.
All other lands would be farmable by class recognition and so designated.
Many thanks for considering these comments. I strongly support placing
all possible support behind an expanding and diverse agricultural future
for Jefferson County. It's a home-grown, and edible economic assetl
6 - �.
Fr Jdc" s, cc.. C-0 vv\,'Vn i 5 5 icm
p (,Gi r�ct.nc-2
e O4 e!�peA c, -f o
�{ ctr r c 2C LAS � & -e— 14A, i Y1'( U v\,cr,
r /
&-,-,
f
Prod
(/ /
Al
� � � s« /-�
a� r� C' (A
s[1,
Al
V)e
�� o�� cd, ���,-�� ��� �,a l'� oma' � � � �a P�C�� � ��..
1
Q-) QIA fcc AC)
Cs
��A u se c
T"Q"
tv-\ 4\e -or- t 6,j
6A
jou 4c,
4Au-5 qv-3vDu-) 10 Q-)
I