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MINUTES
Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Task Force
Regular Meeting – September 21, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse – Commissioners’ Chambers
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA
MEMBERS:
Arlene Allen Lorna Smith Richard Hull
Cliff O’Brien Gordon King Amy Leitman
Chris Kelley Brent Vadopalas Phil Andrus
David Wilkinson Craig Durgan Ron Rempel
ROUNDTABLE WELCOME and INTRODUCTIONS: Jefferson County
Commissioner Greg Brotherton welcomed the newly appointed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Task
Force members who participated in the meeting remotely. The following SMP Members were present
for the meeting: Arlene Allen, Lorna Smith, Richard Hull, Cliff O’Brien, Gordon King, Chris Kelley,
Brent Vadopalas, Phil Andrus, David Wilkinson, Craig Durgan and Ron Rempel Also present was
Jefferson County Department of Community Development Associate Planner David Wayne Johnson,
Berk Consultants Lisa Grueter, Julia Tesch, Shannon & Wilson consultant Amy Summe, and State of
Washington Department of Ecology Regional Shoreline Planner Michelle McConnell.
REVIEW OVERALL PROJECT PURPOSE: What is a periodic review?: Associate
Planner Johnson clarified that the periodic review differs from creating a new Shoreline Master Program
(SMP). To be consistent with state law and other Jefferson County Plans, and to be responsive to
changing circumstances, the County must conduct a periodic review every 8 years. . The periodic review
is not a complete rewrite of the SMP, as the County did in 2014. Instead, it is an opportunity to make
code changes based on changes in state law and to resolve typos, mis-references to other code,
inconsistencies, and grammatical errors. Commissioners passed a resolution last year to guide this
process, which will focus on regulatory reform.
REVIEW PURPOSE and STRUCTURE of TASK FORCE: Consultant Grueter
reviewed the following with the Task Force: The specific ask of the Task Force, what a scoping
document is, the Task Force resolution, operating principles and expectations, and what a four-part
meeting arc is. She answered questions and comments posed by the Task Force members.
REVIEW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN: Associate Planner Johnson and
Consultant Grueter reviewed the Public Participation Plan and existing public engagement opportunities
with the Task Force, including a Survey and Story Map. Michelle then provided an overview of the joint
review process for the County and State. The optional joint review process was introduced recently to
consolidate the minimum public involvement steps for local and state review processes in cases where
there are minimal planned policy changes.
REVIEW PERIODIC REVIEW CHECKLIST FINIDNGS: Associate Planner
Johnson, Consultant Grueter reviewed the Periodic Review Checklist Findings with the Task Force
members. The SMP is generally in line with recent state laws, and some permit process clarifications
have been identified. There are also optional clarifications of exemptions, exceptions, and definitions
that could help provide additional clarity. Lisa explained the permit system under the SMP and provided
a breakdown by type of the 45 permits that were granted in the past 5 years. David described the
difference between a conditional administrative use permit and a conditional discretionary use permit
Discussion followed.
RECESS: The Task Force members recessed the meeting at 6:38 p.m. and reconvened at
6:45 p.m.
GROUP DISCUSSION re: SCOPING: The Task Force members reviewed changes to
local conditions and regulatory reform opportunities. Topics include the role of climate change in the
SMP and how conditions are considered during the permit process. The potential to revisit climate
change conditions during a larger SMP Update was discussed. The County’s climate change policies in
its Comprehensive Plan, the relatively narrow focus of the SMP jurisdiction, and other SMP examples
will be discussed at the next Task Force meeting. Information about shorelines of statewide significance
will be provided. There was a suggestion of considering how to facilitate marine trades in the
unincorporated parts of Jefferson County. Other permit questions and inconsistencies in the SMP were
discussed (e.g. geoduck, industrial piers); Christopher will share a list of his observations of the policy
with David. The County will share Christopher’s list, the periodic review checklist, and the 9/21 slide
deck via email.
PUBLIC COMMENT: The Task Force listened and addressed one comment provided
by the public. Patricia Jones looks forward to a robust public involvement process, including timely
access to documents on the website.
Consultant Grueter adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
____________________________________ ___________
David Wayne Johnson, DCD Date
9/24/2020