The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPC Report & Recommendation Transmittal Final DocketSON� JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368 �q 360-379-4450 1 email: PlanComm@co.jefferson.wa.us http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/580/Planning-Commission TO: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners FROM: Jefferson County Planning Commission DATE: May 1, 2019 SUBJECT: Jefferson County Planning Commission's Report and Recommendation for the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Final Docket The Jefferson County Planning Commission has conducted its review of the 2019, Preliminary Docket and forwards this report and recommendation to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners (BoCC). This report identifies those suggested text amendments the Planning Commission is recommending for consideration by the BoCC during the annual amendment process. We have based our recommendation on need, urgency, and appropriateness of each suggested text amendment. On April 17, 2019, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to accept testimony regarding the four suggested text amendments on the 2019, Preliminary Docket. Seventeen members of the public provided verbal testimony and eight letters of written testimony were received. The public hearing record was provided to the Board on April 29, 2019, by the Department of Community Development. The Jefferson County Planning Commission, representing the express will of the citizens of Jefferson County, respectfully requests the opportunity to revisit the current Jefferson County Code (JCC) 18.20.295, Marijuana Regulations, in order to refine, revise and improve current regulations. Further, the Jefferson County Planning Commission is advocating that the time to address pressing issues of affordable housing with ultra -low -impact and impact -positive development is now. We depend upon the Department of Community Development (DCD) to assist with the cultivation and analysis of new approaches and ideas, especially when those new proposals are of an urgent planning nature. Because we rely on the department to provide community -based planning and analysis, it is critical that the BoCC fund additional DCD work in the public interest in ways that are unattached to permit fees and are compatible with the Department's everyday operations. Furthermore, we request you to encourage the prompt and complete staffing of the Department of Community Development. We submit to you the following recommendations regarding which suggested text amendments should be placed on the Final Docket: Jefferson County Planning Commission Recommendations on Final Docket 2019 Comprehensive Plan & Unified Development Code Annual Amendment Cycle 2019 Suggested Text Amendments on Preliminary Docket 1. MLA19-00018. Jefferson County Planning Commission suggests an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and UDC to rescind provisions of the Forest Transition Overlay (FTO). • Need: This suggestion is needed. Jefferson County must maintain the ability to grow in a sustainable manner. The existing FTO permits forest land in a highly limited manner to be converted to rural residential. • Urgency: The proposal is pertinent and the Planning Commission recommends that it be included on the docket for 2020. • Appropriateness: This suggestion was identified as an action item in the Comprehensive Plan's Natural Resource Element Action Plan. Through a motion with seven (7) in favor and one (1) opposed, the Jefferson County Planning Commission recommends that MLA19-00018 - Rescind the Forest Transition Overlay provisions of JCC 18.15.571—not be placed on the 2019 Final Docket; and through a second motion, with unanimous approval, that MLA19-00018 be re -addressed for placement on the 2020 Final Docket. MLA19-00019. Jefferson County Planning Commission suggests a review and amendment of JCC 18.20.295 Recreational Marijuana addressing community concerns regarding land use issues experienced with recreational marijuana production in rural residential zones. • Need: Review of these code sections is needed to address community concern over implementation of marijuana production and processing in rural residential zones. Urgency: This is an urgent recommendation. This topic was identified during the periodic review and update of the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code. Further, this topic has been raised by several community organizations and citizens. Appropriateness: This recommended amendment provides specific code updates; however, additional options should be considered and reviewed. The Jefferson County Planning Commission unanimously recommends that MLA19-00019 - Review and amendment of JCC 18.20.295 Recreational Marijuana addressing community concerns regarding land use issues experienced with recreational marijuana production in rural residential zones is forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to be included on the 2019 Final Docket, and that the associated work with this proposal be fully funded. 3. MLA19-00020. Jefferson County Planning Commission suggests development of new regulations using "Eco-ADU" as a method for permitting multiple Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) per parcel. The suggestion would allow the existing square footage of ADUs to be allotted over multiple ADUs per parcel when certain "eco" performance standards are met. Jefferson County Planning Commission Recommendations on Final Docket 2019 Comprehensive Plan & Unified Development Code Annual Amendment Cycle • Need: Innovative affordable housing options are needed to address housing affordability and homelessness within Jefferson County. • Urgency: This is an urgent recommendation. • Appropriateness: This proposal touches on existing broad Comprehensive Plan goals. Through a motion passing with five (5) in favor, two (2) opposed, and one (1) abstention, the Jefferson County Planning Commission recommends that MLA19-00020 - New "Eco-ADU" performance standards as a method for permitting multiple Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) per parcel is forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to be included on the 2019 Final Docket, and that the associated work with this proposal be fully funded. 4. MLA19-00023. Jefferson County Planning Commission suggests an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan adding a priority work item to the Housing Element's Action Plan to "convene a panel of citizens knowledgeable in the innovative technologies listed in Policy HS-P-2.3 to research and recommend a set of performance measures upon which to build a set of opt -in, very -low -impact and/or impact -positive standards for Jefferson County." • Need: Innovative affordable housing options are needed to address housing affordability and homelessness within Jefferson County. • Urgency: This suggestion is of high urgency. Appropriateness: This proposal touches on existing broad Comprehensive Plan goals. Through a motion passing with five(5) in favor, two (2) opposed, and one (1) abstention, the Jefferson County Planning Commission recommends that MLA19-00023 - Amend the Comprehensive Plan, adding a priority work item to the Housing Element's Action Plan to "convene a panel of citizens knowledgeable in the innovative technologies listed in Policy HS-P-2.3 to research and recommend a set of performance measures upon which to build a set of opt -in, very -low -impact and/or impact - positive standards for Jefferson County" is forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to be included on the 2019 Final Docket, and that the associated work with the proposal be fully funded. Thank you fol considering this important document. � I r Michael Nilssen C air Dat A l