HomeMy WebLinkAboutCahill_Comment-Wilke-Rezone_9-18-19September 18, 2019
Jefferson County Department of Community Development
Long-Range Planning
621 Sheridan
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Re: MLA 19-00013 Site Specific Rezone
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed up-zone of 240 Sand Road, Parcel
#001184004 from RR-10 to RR-5. As noted in my email of March 18, 2019, I have a number
concerns related to impact of development on ponds and meadows adjacent to the parcel,
increased traffic on a privately maintained road, and potential to break up a block of RR-10
properties that border another block of RR-20 parcels.
Specific reasons for opposing the rezone include:
• An amendment to the comprehensive plan with an exception to zoning based on
individual circumstances will set a precedent that could lead to other up-zone
applications that would threaten the existence of rural areas the Growth Management
Act was designed to protect.
• As noted in the application, the proposed subdivision would “accommodate the eventual
enlargement of the present ADU and could, if the physical constraints allow, support a
total of two primary dwellings and two ADUs for a total of two more units.” Potential
impacts include increased noise and traffic that threaten the peaceful nature of the
neighborhood. Even if the Wilkes have no plans for new buildings, the subdivision would
pave the way for future owners to build additional units.
• Sand Road is a single-lane gravel road that cannot accommodate new access to the
property without significant alterations to the current easements, with potential to
increase neighbors’ maintenance costs.
• While the Wilkes claim to be residents who “enjoy the same pleasant and healthy lifestyle
in which they and their neighbors thrive,” they in fact do not live here, having relocated
to southern California a little over a year after they purchased the property. Since then,
the main house has been vacant and the ADU is operated as a non-permitted vacation
rental via Airbnb (the advertisement for which says “the neighbors are rural properties,
so not too close by”— so the owners are profiting from a sense of seclusion the rezone
could change!)
• The property includes a wetland that cycles between being dry and being full of water.
The potential new property line would run through the middle of this area, which already
was altered when the Wilkes dug a trench in February 2018 that partially drained the
pond and flooded downstream properties; additional development could further threaten
this sensitive drainage system.
• Approval of the rezone would almost certainly result in an appeal that will waste taxpayer
resources.
In short, the rezone of 240 Sand Road is not consistent with the goals of the GMA and serves no
compelling public interest. I urge you to abide by the comprehensive plan that was designed to
prevent subdivision of rural properties by investors for private gain.
Thank you for your consideration.
Carol Cahill
591 Sand Road
Port Townsend, WA 98368