HomeMy WebLinkAbout139David W. Johnson
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Darrell and Lorna Smith <ecosmithspt@gmail.com>
Friday, June 24,2016 12:43 PM
David W. Johnson
Philip Morley
Re: Draft Letter
Hello, All,
Hi, Matt,
I Really appreciate your time and effort in preparing this letter. However, I believe that a number of the issues
you raise might result in "muddying the waters", pun intended.
In the regulations we approved to forward to the BOCC most of these issues are already addressed. For
instance, the language states that the kettles must be preserved, that the building density should be determined
through the intergovernmental agreement between the Tribes and County, etc. I am afraid that your letter
makes it sound that many of these issues were left up in the air? Also, I think that Cynthia, as Chair of the PC
is working on a different transmittal letter?
I am proud of all the work the BOCC has done on this issue to date. The effort we are about to complete is far
more than developing "suggestions". Out transmittal to the BOCC is an fficial recommendation that carries
weight, and it is normally expected that if the BOCC decides issues counter to the BOCC recommendation, that
a written explanation be provided. Please read an informative article via this link:
http://mrsc.ore/Home/Sta),-Informed/MRSC-Insight/January-2013/Land-Use-Planning-and-the-Art-of-
Pl anrri ng:C ommi ssi. aspx
As experienced volunteer citizens, our work is informed and invaluable to the County. We need to remember
that!
Best,
Lorna
On Jun 24,2016, at l1:33 AM,David W. Johnson <di ohnsol@cq i ef ferson. wa. us) wrote
Here you go!
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Sircely [mailto:mattsircely@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 17,2016 3:19 PM
To: David W. Johnson <dohnson@cojefferso
Subject: Re: Draft Letter
If you or anyone wants to make suggestions before sending it along that's ok too.
On Jun 17,2016, at2:54 PM, Matt Sircely <mattsircely@gmail.c wrote:
Hey David,
1
At the end of the meeting, I promised to compose a draft letter from the pC to the
BOCC.
If the commission likes it, I look forward to having it vetted and adapted by
others. I have faith in the process, and hopefully it's a place to start. Please feel
free to forward it to folks who need to see it.
Matt
Dear BOCC,
After extensive review and deliberation, the Jefferson County Planning
Commission submits recommendations for approval of the Regulations for the
Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort (MPR) with certain modifications which
are included in our recommendation. We appreciate the opportunity to review the
issues surrounding the proposed MPR, and we appreciate the large volume of
public comment that has been received both recently and throughout the project's
history.
In submitting our recommendation, please accept these additional suggestions
from the commission. These informal suggestions address matters that either
appear settled, or remain in an active state of discussion/negotiation. Therefore,
the commission has chosen to highlight certain details and considerations which
do not necessarily appear in the formal recommended modifications to the
regulations.
The proposed scale of the resort, with an established limit of 890 units, has raised
concern among a majority of commissioners, primarily due to the potential for
strain on resource demand, as well as waste management and traffic
considerations. Several commissioners recommended adherence to a principle
that density should not exceed the norms currently experienced in regions that are
already highly developed (located within existing urban growth areas as identified
in the comprehensive plan).
The commission suggests that kettles should remain a terrestrial feature for many
reasons, including several issues raised by recent correspondence and testimony
from representatives of the S'Klallam Tribe.
We support the continued engagement between the BOCC, staff, the tribe, and the
applicant. As the dialog progresses, we recornmend that the issue of kettles be
included in the larger discussion. We suggest the development of detailed
guidelines for buffers around kettle areas that are deemed significant for
ecological andlor cultural reasons, including the presence of plants traditionally
considered to be of medicinal value to local tribes.
We also encourage the BOCC to consider testimony received by the commission
from a representative of the S'Klallam Tribe that sealing kettles for wastewater
retention would likely alter the flow of fresh water to tidelands, where a delicate
balance of salinity is required for optimal shellfish harvest.
We thank the BOCC for the opportunity to offer our recommendation for
2
approval with modifications of the Regulations for the Pleasant Harbor MPR, and
we are encouraged that continued dialog between the county, applicant and tribe,
will yield beneficial outcomes which will continue to reflect the values and
priorities of the citizens of Jefferson County into the future.
<Draftl PC Letter to BOCC - ms.rtf)
3