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MINUTES
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1 1993
Mter a Finance Committee Meeting, Chairman Richard Wojt called the meeting
to order. Commissioner Robert Hinton and Commissioner Glen Huntingford were both
present. The Commissioners' held a briefing session with Planning and Building Depart-
ment Director Craig Ward regarding County policy on boundary line adjustments within
plats, the Quilcene flood control project, standards for projects and the authority to enforce
permit conditions, and the process for developing findings, facts and conclusions on the
Shoreline Amendments that are the subject of a hearing on February 2, 1993.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Commissioner Huntingford moved to ap-
prove the minutes of January 25, 1993 as presented. Commissioner Hinton seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Com-
missioner Huntingford moved to delete items 2, and 8; to approve item 9 for funding
through June with performance standards to be developed and reviewed before approval of
the balance of the funding; and to adopt and approve the balance of the items as present-
ed. Commissioner Hinton seconded the motion which carried by· a unanimous vote.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 10-93 re: Authorizing Use of Credit Cards on Behalf of Jefferson
County in Compliance with R.C.W. 42.24.115
2. DELETE CONTRACf re: Service Provider for the Health Department; Charlen Westerman
3. Purchase Requisition re: Three (3) 1993 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor Vehicles;
Total Price $39,340.00; Olympic Ford, Marysville
4. RESOLUTION NO. 11-93 re: Order of Statutory Vacation; A Portion of Unopened
Walker Street, in the Plat of Hamilton's Five Acre Tracts
5. RESOLUTION NO. 12-93 re: Establishing a Name for a Private Road; In the Blue
Heron Heights Large Lot Subdivision; Woodpecker Drive
6. RESOLUTION NO. 13-93 re: Establishing a Name for a Private Road; In the Winberg
Beaver Valley Tracts Large Lot Subdivision; Spring Hill Road
7. Applications for Assistance from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Fund; Archie Tweedie
$494.65; Marshall Kithcart $500.00; John Roske $500.00
8. DELETE AGREEMENT re: Program Funding for 1993; Jefferson/Clallam Big Brothers/Big Sisters; for $500.00.
9. AGREEMENT re: Program Funding for 1993; Economic Development Council of
Jefferson County (Performance standards to be set and reviewed before last half of
funding is approved).
10.AGREEMENT re: Program Funding for 1993; Domestic Violence Sexual Assault
Program
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
Page: 2
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Public comments included: the County's five
year contract for hauling solid waste, alternatives for dealing with solid waste, how the
public comments are documented in the minutes, urging the Board to recognize and
continue the work of the citizens committee on the critical area ordinance and policies, the
need for the Board to analyze if the public comments were incorporated in the draft or-
dinance, the need for guidelines from the Board on what they want communities to incor-
porate in their planning under GMA, and concerns in the Port Ludlow community
regarding growth.
BUSINESS FROM COUNTY DEPARTMENTS
PUBLIC WORKS
Recommendation for Bid Award and Approval of Construction Schedule;
Project SW 1022 Landfill/Septa2e La200n Closure: Solid Waste Specialist Jeff
Frettingham reported that the Board deferred action on this bid award for two weeks to
allow time for review of an alternative pyrolysis system for disposing of solid waste.
Mter reviewing this new system and discussing it with other counties and the State
Department of Ecology, Jeff Frettingham recommended that the County continue with their
plans to close the landfill while they continue to explore new systems.
Environmental Health Director, Larry Fay, explained that this technology has merit, but
there are currently no operating systems in this country that deal with municipal solid
waste. Pyrolysis appears to deal effectively with specific types of solid waste such as
tires. Municipal solid waste is not as controlled, and it is not known how well this system
will deal with it.
Commissioner Huntingford moved to award the bid and approve the construction schedule
for the closure of the landfill and the septage lagoon to Tri-State Construction, Inc. as
recommended. Commissioner Hinton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote.
PLANNING AND BUILDING
Dave Phinizv re: Request for Boundary Line Adjustment on Snow Creek
Ranch Plat: Planning and Building Department Director Craig Ward explained that Dave
Phinizy's request for a boundary line adjustment was reviewed and denied. It was
suggested to Mr. Phinizy that he submit a plat alteration application. Prosecuting Attorney
Mark Huth reported that the County's ordinance (No. 01-0318-91, Hearing Examiner
Ordinance) requires that the Hearing Examiner review this request to determine if it is a
boundary line adjustment or a plat alteration. He suggested that the Board not hear
testimony on this today and that it be remanded back to the Planning Department so that
Mr. Phinizy can meet with the Prosecuting Attorney, the Planning Department and the
Assessor's Office staff to come to a resolution on the issue.
Commissioner Huntingford asked if any of the lots have been sold? Mark Huth reported
that they have and other property owners in the plat will be affected by the request. Craig
Ward explained that Mr. Phinizy's request would affect 11 of the 65 lots in this plat and it
would impact the plat open space which is owned in common by all of the lot owners.
Commissioner Hinton asked what the Hearing Examiner reviews and how that is deter-
mined? Mark Huth explained that County Ordinance outlines what the Hearing Examiner
will review. Commissioner Hinton asked how long it would take this request to go
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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through the Hearing Examiner process? Jerry Smith reported that this could be placed on
the Hearing Examiner's schedule for February 16, or the first week in March.
Mter further discussion of the Hearing Examiner Ordinance and the definition of a
boundary line adjustment, Craig Ward said that he has an alternative approach for handling
this request which he would like to work out with the Prosecuting Attorney, the Assessor
and Mr. Phinizy. If this alternative approach can be worked out, he suggested that the
Board review it for adoption as policy to handle boundary line adjustments in the future.
Mter discussing this matter with Mr. Phinizy, Craig Ward reported that he has agreed to
meet with the Prosecuting Attorney, and the Planning Department to negotiate a settlement.
Final Short Plat Approval; #SPI7-91 Neal Swanson Short Plat; Four Lot
Short Subdivision; Located Off of Summerville Road. Port Hadlock; Neal Swanson:
Associate Planner Jerry Smith reported that all of the conditions of summary approval for
this short plat have been met and all the required departments have signed off on it.
Commissioner Hinton moved to issue final short plat approval for the Neal Swanson Short
Plat SP17-91. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous vote.
Request for Conditional Use IZ56-92; Massa2e Therapy Business as a Home
Occupation in the General Use Zone; Bill and Nola Bell: Associate Planner Jerry
Smith reported that this conditional use permit under the Interim Zoning Ordinance is for a
message therapy business in a garage located on Airport Cutoff Road next to Leavitt
Trucking and Excavating. The business will be operated Tuesday through Saturday from
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Hearing Examiner held a hearing on this request and
recommends approval subject to 13 conditions.
Chairman Wojt asked if Evelyn Tice's objection regarding traffic was made part of the
Hearing Examiner's record? Jerry Smith reported that it was. The Hearing Examiner
found that this home business would not generate any more traffic than is typically
generated by a single family residence. The State Department of Transportation and the
County Sheriff were contacted regarding the traffic and they both indicated that this
business would not contribute appreciably to the traffic problems that already exist on the
Airport Cutoff Road.
Commissioner Huntingford moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit IZ56-92 as
recommended by the Hearing Examiner. Commissioner Hinton seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
Request for Conditional Use IZ55-92; 3.316 Square Foot Meetin2lReception
Hall as Home Occupation in the General Use Zone; Robert Schladetzky: This
conditional use permit is to construct a meeting hall which can be rented by the public,
Jerry Smith reported. The site is located a quarter of a mile north of the Beaver Valley
Store, next to Mr. Schladetzky's home. The size of the hall is over the 2,500 square feet
allowed by ordinance for a home business. The applicant asked for a variance to allow an
increase in the size of this home business to 3,316 square feet.
The Hearing Examiner recommends approval of the conditional use permit to allow the
home business with a maximum size of 2,500 square feet and he denied the variance
request to increase the size of the building. Jerry Smith explained that the Hearing
Examiner makes recommendations on conditional use permits, but makes the final decision
on variance requests. If the Board doesn't accept the recommendation of the Hearing
Examiner on the conditional use permit they can hold their own hearing on it. In a case
where a variance requested is denied an applicant can appeal that decision to the Board.
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
Page: 4
Commissioner Hinton asked if the structure is complete? Mr. Schladetzky reported that the
structure is currently a shell, that is framed in with the roof on. The Planning Department
says if the structure is going to be used as a meeting hall, a kitchen and two rest rooms
(one must be wheelchair accessible) must be included in the building as it exists. Mr.
Schladetzky reported that a full third of the building is dedicated to a pipe organ. With
the large open space available in this building he was hoping to generate some income to
offset the cost of the building by renting space for meetings. There is about 1,500 square
feet available for meeting space. If the kitchen and rest rooms are included in this area,
and the safety requirements met it would mean that only 20 to 25 people could be accom-
modated in the meeting space.
Commissioner Hinton moved to approve the conditional use permit as recommended by the
Hearing Examiner. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous vote.
Mr. Schladetzky submitted a letter appealing the variance denial. Commissioner Hun-
tingford moved to set a public hearing on the appeal of this variance for 2:00 p.m. on
Tuesday February 16, 1993. Commissioner Hinton seconded the motion which carried by
a unanimous vote.
Rick Burrou2hs and Residents of Cedar Park re: Geor2e Forker's Rhody
Drive Commercial Center: Rick Burroughs, Robert Hyskell, and David O'Kane presented
a slide show to illustrate their complaints about George Forker's Rhody Drive Commercial
Center. The slide show included pictures of the area, views of Mr. Forker's property from
various houses in the Cedar Park area and views of it at night with the lights on.
Rick Burroughs explained that he, Mr. Hyskell, and Mr. O'Kane as well as other residents
of the Cedar Park area feel that Mr. Forker's commercial area is adversely affecting their
property. He explained that a 20 foot wide landscaped strip is indicated on the site plan
for this project, along the north/south property line (about 400 feet long). This is the
property line that borders Cedar Park. There are small fir trees planted (about one every
10 feet) along the northern 200 feet of this fence line, but none planted along the southern
200 feet of it. There are vehicles and building materials stored in this area. He then
noted that the soft lighting on the buildings is bright enough to allow him to read the
conditions of approval for this project through his living room window at 9:00 p.m. Mr.
Burroughs then reviewed information he received regarding lighting options for this type of
project. He urged the Board and the Planning Department to work with the residents of
Cedar Park and George Forker to create a win/win situation where Mr. Forker can do what
he needs to do to make a living and the residents of Cedar Park can have their privacy.
Mr. Hyskell then reviewed documents from the Planning Department files on this project.
He read from a letter dated July 5, 1990 (Certificate of Compliance) which says "the
proposed use is consistent with the goals, policies, and provisions of the Tri Area
Community Development Plan and the Development Code." Since he is aware that the
Development Code is in limbo because of a law suit, Mr. Hyskell noted that he is
proceeding on the assumption that the Tri Area Community Development Plan still applies.
Prosecuting Attorney Mark Huth explained that the Tri Area Community Development Plan
is an advisory document, not a regulatory document. He said that the conditions placed on
Mr. Forker's project were done under the Development Code which was later voided by
the Court. Without the Development Code the only authority the County has to regulate
land use are the general police powers granted by the State Constitution. For this par-
ticular project the County cannot enforce the conditions until the appeal of the decision on
the Development Code is resolved.
Commissioner Wojt asked what would happen if the Development Code is found to be a
valid document by the appeals court? Mark Huth reported that if that happens the permit
for Mr. Forker's project and its conditions would be valid and the County could enforce
them.
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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Craig Ward explained that Mr. Forker received a letter from Jefferson County stating that
he was in compliance with the conditions imposed under the development permit. The
policies and regulatory standards in the County ordinance are vague and at the time the
Planning staff reviewed this project for compliance with those policies and standards they
believed that the lights were hooded at least to the same extent as required for other
projects deemed to be in compliance. The determination was made that these lights were
adequately hooded to: 1) avoid a condition of glare and 2) to avoid negative impact on the
surrounding property. Craig Ward concluded by noting that this situation points out that
these policies and standards are vague, and there is a need to improve them.
George Forker stated that he owns the property being discussed. He explained that he
can't build buildings where there are trees. He said that he hasn't had anything to do with
creating a problem other than cutting the trees down and building his buildings. He noted
that he is landscaping the area and when the weather gets better he will finish the
landscaping.
Commissioner Huntingford asked if Mr. Forker would be willing to do something to adjust
the lights on these building so that they are directed down? Mr. Forker stated that he
drove down Cedar Street the other night and did not see the lights shining across the road.
Brian Hicks said that he has lived in Cedar Park for a number of years and when the trees
were taken down the lights from Mr. Forker's buildings were more prevalent on the
adjacent properties.
David O'Kane, who lives across from Mr. Hyskell, read the cover letter submitted with the
petition from the Cedar Park Subdivision.
Gary Winberg suggested that the neighbors and Mr. Forker get together, do a landscape
plan and solve the problem. The problem can be solved if the neighbors would get
together, each contribute a few dollars, and do something about it.
Chairman Wojt said that everyone has heard the testimony and what the County can and
can not do. He doesn't see what the County can do, at least until the Court of Appeals
makes a decision on the Development Code.
Mter further discussion of the lights of Mr. Forker's project, the plans for more mini
storage units, and the regulations that a new project would be subject to, Craig Ward
reported that the Planning Department has no applications on file for Mr. Forker for any
new mini storage units.
Mr. Hyskell stated that they are willing to meet and work with Mr. Forker and discuss
landscaping.
George Forker concluded by noting that Mr. O'Kane and Mr. Hyskell have not been to his
house to talk about this. He has been talking with Mr. Burroughs as the representative of
the property owners in Cedar Park. Mr. Forker said he is willing to talk with these
gentlemen.
The meeting was recessed at the end of the business day on Monday and
reconvened with all Board members present on Tuesday, February 2, 1993. The Board
participated in a workshop on planning regulations required by the Growth Management
Act and then met with representatives of the Planning and Building, Health, Public Works
and Community Services Departments to discuss department strategy. That evening the
Board returned at 7:00 p.m. for the following public hearing.
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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HEARING re: Amendments to the Jefferson CountylPort Townsend Shore-
line Mana2ement Master Pr02ram; Port Townsend Urban Wateñront Special District:
23+ interested County residents were present. Chairman W ojt opened the public hearing at
7:00 p.m. on the proposed amendments to the Jefferson CountylPort Townsend Shoreline
Management Master Program regarding the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Special
District.
Jim Pearson, Planning and Building Department Associate Planner, reviewed the changes
proposed in the Plan (see also Minutes of October 26, 1992). Chairman Wojt asked if a
separate approval of these amendments by both the County and the City was necessary?
Jim Pearson answered that past custom was to have separate approvals and that is why a
joint hearing was held. Chairman Wojt noted that the Board only approved changes that
would affect the County. Jim Pearson explained that the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront
Special District is entirely in the City limits. The Urban section of the Shoreline Program
provides regulation for all urban areas within the County (including those in the City).
One change that was made in that section was to make residential development a condi-
tional use in the urban area. This amendment was to make the matrix consistent with the
policy language. Chairman Wojt asked how much urban shoreline there is in the County?
The largest shoreline urban area in the County is the area from the City limits to Old Fort
Townsend (this includes the Port Townsend Paper Company property, Jim Pearson
explained. Other urban shoreline areas in the County are: the Chimacum Creek log yard
site, lower Port Hadlock (north of the Lower Hadlock Road), the Port Ludlow area from
the sewage treatment plant, south to Ludlow Creek, an inactive log dump area on the east
shore of Quilcene Bay (near Lindsay Beach Road) and the site of Coast Oyster and the
Port of Port Townsend Marina on the west shore of Quilcene Bay.
Chairman Wojt advised that written testimony was received from Dennis McLerran,
Attorney for the City of Port Townsend and Bo and Patti Sullivan. This testimony will be
included as part of the record of this hearing. He then opened the hearing for public
comment.
Kari McGill. Point Hudson Company. Port Townsend. said that her father, Skip Rowley
who is the CEO of the Point Hudson Company, is ill and unable to be at this hearing.
Ms. McGill then read a letter from Skip Rowley (see attachment).
Garv Jonientz. 954 Hastings Ave. Port Townsend. submitted and read his testimony (see
attachment).
Bernie Arthur. 1320 Jefferson Street. Port Townsend. read the following:
"I ask the County Commissioners and the Department of Ecology to discontinue the
review of the proposed amendment to the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson
County Shoreline Master Program. I have submitted testimony at all hearings on
this subject and have found the City to be blind to the need for a reasonable con-
sideration for the overall effect of the amendment. I am a property owner who will
be directly affected by the change that would eliminate residential and transient
accommodations in the Point Hudson District. This change in use created by this
amendment was done without any economic research. The contention that this
amendment will remove the inconsistency between the residential uses on waterfront
and the Master Program is false. The changes suggested in the amendment create
more inconsistencies. The Point Hudson District boundary that is in the Waterfront
Plan is at Monroe Street. The amendment has a wandering boundary line that is
arranged to accommodate special interests. This change of boundary places the G2B
Block of private property in with Point Hudson Port property which is public
property. It removes property from the amendment in which a strong proponent of
the amendment has a personal and potentially profitable interest. This proponent of
the amendment also serves on the Shoreline Commission. This same shoreline
commissioner has stated that they pushed this amendment through to stop the Point
Hudson Company in its' planning process.
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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The Point Hudson planning process is a private attempt to bring the interested
public, private individuals and groups together to resolve the future of the Point
Hudson area. This plan was to assist the City and the Port in the Point Hudson
planning process, when the City and the Port could not continue because of funding
problems. A copy of this study can be given to you for your review, if necessary.
The DOE has since awarded the City a grant to continue the Steering Committee.
The two groups working together could provide a good example of public and
private planning, instead, give a signal to the private sector -- don't help, govern-
ment will tell you what is best, just keep paying.
The City and the County cannot prove the need for this amendment with its
circuitous route of exemptions. The Historic District is exempt because of the
economic need for residential units in the buildings. The Thomas Oil and Swan
Hotel properties are excluded without good cause, other than vested interests. The
question is asked 'why is Port Townsend Plaza exempted? what area of the
Waterfront Plan explains this? how do these exemptions improve the ecological
balance, the public needs and the public safety?' The City Council has many
members who will benefit financially from these changes. The legal advisors of the
City and County state that the amendment is only legislative. Does that make it
moral and ethical? The amendment will be another case of private and public legal
battles with the taxpayers the losers. As property owners we will pay our lawyers
and as taxpayers we will be paying for the government to defend this poorly
constructed law against us.
The amendment is judicial because it takes away uses of my property and is very
selective in the bargain. I believe in the continued update of the Shoreline Program
and was a member of the Shoreline Board from 1979 to '82. I find that the
changes needed are how to accommodate the growth of people, protection of the
waters from pollution, the use of creosote pilings, the use of bottom paints, sewer
pollution, air borne contamination, and the list goes on. I endorse the process of
update, but this amendment is bad law. Let's do the job of governing with the
highest ideal. Finally, it is rumored. . . (time limit expired)
Patti Sullivan. 241 Van Buren. Port Townsend. read her previously submitted written
testimony (see attached). She reported that she would place the Minutes of the Port
Commission meeting of last Wednesday (January 27, 1993) before the Board for the
County's record.
Dana Roberts. 438 22nd Street. Port Townsend submitted a written statement. (See
attached).
Karen Erickson. 615 22nd Street. Port Townsend. said that there have been several things
questioned throughout the public testimony on this proposed amendment and she hasn't
heard any answers. She noted that the biggest question is where will water dependent and
water related uses be found for the waterfront property? If the Port is going to have all of
the water dependent/water related uses without any other businesses allowed and boat
building goes downhill, more taxes are going to have to support the Port. This amendment
doesn't leave room for the Port to expand or be economically viable. There are no water
dependent or water related uses on private property on the waterfront. The only water
dependent use on the waterfront in the last 8 to 10 years has been Paradise Bay Sea
Farms, who moved after four years of renting. There doesn't seem to be a need to have
water dependent or water related uses on the waterfront.
Preserving maritime use is one of the main ideas of this ordinance. Karen Erickson stated
that she has no problem with preserving maritime uses. The problem is that most people
feel maritime uses include boat building and boat repair. There isn't any other industry in
the maritime history of Port Townsend, but boat building and boat repair, that would
survive on private property, yet these industries are not allowed on private property in the
commercial waterfront of Port Townsend. It has always been zoned illegal. It is only
allowed in the Port. She noted that she is not sure what water dependent and water
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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related uses that private property owners are supposed to attract in order to use the
waterfront property. She suggested that a study on attracting marine oriented uses is
needed before an ordinance such as this is mandated.
She continued by noting that she has several questions on interpretation of the matrix:
· Under commercial, non water dependent, urban, in the Port Townsend Urban Water-
front District -- non water dependent is a conditional use. Does this include water
related and water enjoyment as a conditional use or are they a primary use?
·
Under industrial and Port facilities -- non water dependent is a secondary use. A
secondary use does not have to go through as much scrutiny as a conditional use.
Why is non water dependent in the Industrial and Port facilities a secondary use and
what is a non water dependent use? Is it water related, water oriented or water
enjoyment?
·
Page 4 of the ordinance, Section 2, subsection 4.106 -- Port Townsend Urban Water-
front Special District Shoreline Master Program. What Master Program is named the
Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Special District? She has gone through the original
draft as well as draft 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 3, and the final ordinance and this wording does not
appear in draft 1, yet it is a text change from the Shoreline Master Plan which has
never been underlined. She indicated that she is not sure what this phrase means.
·
She aske~ what inconsistencies were corrected by the ordinance compared to the Urban
Waterfront Plan? She explained that she believes the inconsistencies were with the
Urban Waterfront Plan, which is a visionary plan that includes possible ideas for the
future of Port Townsend and the waterfront. She doesn't recall that the, Urban
Waterfront Plan was mentioned during any of the hearings on this amendment with
regard to correcting inconsistencies with the Shoreline Management Plan. The Urban
Waterfront Plan was developed through a process which included many participants in
public hearings, and committees over many months. The result of this plan encouraged
water enjoyment uses, community, commercial retail uses, motel/hotel uses, visitor
services, specialize services and multi-family housing for the waterfront property in the
Cross Roads District (where she owns property).
·
Most of the public has no idea that boat building, haul out or boat repair is not
allowed on the waterfront. Why wasn't the zoning of the Port Townsend waterfront
made public at the public hearings? Fred Apstein of the Port Commission, when told
about the zoning of the waterfront property, was surprised because he did not know that
boat building and boat repair is not allowed.
This is another ordinance and heavy burden that the waterfront property owners will have
to endure to be able to do anything on the waterfront. It is almost impossible with all the
ordinances and changes over the last three years to plan for the future of the waterfront.
The County will have to take all of the improvements that won't be made in the City
because they are not allowed on waterfront property.
Bernie Arthur: Bernie Arthur continued reading his statement.
"The one last thing that I have to say is that I'm really upset after some discussion
with the DOE. It's rumor that the DOE considered the opposition to this amend-
ment as some kind of radical obstructionist thing. It's obvious because they
changed the location of the meeting to a larger area in anticipation of us, radical
obstructionist, I assume. I suggest that the opposite is true. We are trying to stop
the City government from making a very undemocratic, unconstitutional law that
will cost the taxpayers many dollars. I believe that the Bill of Rights was written
for all citizens and not just for those in power and their friends. I hope the DOE
and the City do not consider themselves to be above the law. I also hope that
Jefferson County is not a police state where good, honest, public input is ridiculed
and demeaned. The State budget deficit should indicate to the law makers that the
resources are limited and that we all should extend the effort where the profit is
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
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best. Stop this amendment now, review the Master Program and make a good plan
that is defensible, workable and understandable. Thank You."
Richard Symms. President. Point Hudson Company. said that the Shoreline amendment has
a drastic effect on the uses at Point Hudson to such an extent that there are no uses
possible that would mean any kind of return to the citizens of the County. The citizens of
the County will be in a position of receiving less than they should from property they own
at Point Hudson when the lease expires. The City of Port Townsend, and the County
Commissioners at the time, tried to incorporate most of what was in the Urban Waterfront
Plan into this amendment, but they left out some important facts. In several instances in
the Urban Waterfront Plan it states that the City shall encourage mixed uses whenever
possible. The reason to encourage mixed uses is to have developments on which the
developer can receive a return. In return for allowing these mixed uses, the citizens of the
County would be granted better access to the property, and grant uses on the property that
the citizens wouldn't have otherwise. In their effort to do a good job, they forgot some of
the important points of the waterfront plan.
Chairman Wojt asked the Prosecuting Attorney to review the Board's options with regard
to this amendment.
Mark Huth, Prosecuting Attorney, explained that at this point the amendments have been
submitted to the Department of Ecology and according to recent correspondence the DOE
plans to go forward with a public hearing on the City amendments regardless of any action
the County takes. He advised that the Board not attempt to impose on the City, through
the Master Program, the County's view of how the Program should read. With respect to
County jurisdiction, the County is the sole legal authority, while with respect to the City
jurisdiction, the City Council is the sole legal authority. If the County attempts to impose
on the City through the Master Program, requirements for regulation of the City waterfront,
they will be buying a battle that can't be won. He advised that the Board act only on the
County portion of the Master Program. Because much of the testimony presented tonight
deals with the City portion of the Master Program, he suggested that these arguments be
directed to the Department of Ecology, because they are the final approving authority for
the amendments. The DOE should hear that testimony and decide if the City's actions are
appropriate for the City, and if the County's actions are appropriate to the County.
Chairman Wojt asked if the Prosecutor means that the County should provide the testimony
taken to the Department of Ecology at their hearing tomorrow night? Mark Huth sug-
gested that the people who testified before the Board also testify before the Department of
Ecology. The DOE won't be able to accept this testimony unless it is reiterated directly to
them. He continued by saying that a major portion of this amendment was suggested by
the City, passed by the City and encompasses City property. If the Board's intent is to
rescind the City's amendment, that cannot be done by the County Commissioners. He
recommended that if the Board takes action, they take action only on those portions of the
amendment that deal with County property.
Chairman Wojt asked if the City has land use control over the Port property within the
City limits? Mark Huth answered that within the geographical boundaries of the City of
Port Townsend, the City has control over land use matters on Port property. The County
has land use control over Port property in the County.
The discussion continued regarding the previous Board of Commissioners action in
adopting these amendments and what exactly they were approving.
Gary Winberg asked if the Shoreline Management Master Plan is challenged in the City
and found to be· illegal, if the County has any liability? Mark Huth indicated that he
would not answer that question in a definite manner because he speaks with authority for
the County. The liability issue is why the County doesn't want to be painted with the
same brush as the City Council in this amendment process.
Vel
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
Page: 10
Mr. Winberg then asked if the City would have any influence over non-City property in
Jefferson County? Mark Huth reported that the City has no influence over non-City
property in the County.
Patti Sullivan asked if Mark Huth is saying that Port properties within the City are under
the jurisdiction of the City? Mark Huth indicated that is correct. The County does not
have authority to regulate Port property within the City for land use purposes. Patti
Sullivan clarified her question by saying if the County taxpayers are paying on Port
properties and the City is the land use regulatory body for the Port properties within the
city limits, then the County taxpayers who live outside the city limits have no representa-
tion for land use decisions on Port property. She then asked who represents the County
taxpayer on County land within the City of Port Townsend? Mark Huth explained that the
County is just another land owner within the City limits, and has no authority to zone
County property within the City. For example the Courthouse itself is under the City land
use and police jurisdiction.
Commissioner Huntingford stated that he feels the Commissioners should represent
everyone in the County, and he is still concerned about how much responsibility the
County has for these amendments. He is not sure he has the right answers to his concerns
which also include who represents the Port property.
Commissioner Hinton echoed Commissioner Huntingford's concerns. He added that the
Commissioners are not trying to impose on the powers of the City of Port Townsend.
City representatives were invited to attend this public hearing as well as to sign on to the
County's request to DOE to defer their hearing until more public testimony could be taken.
The City declined both requests. Commissioner Hinton stated that he feels the Commis-
sioners represent everyone in the County, and he has a real concern for the interpretations
of various people as to what effect the City and County can have on Port properties,
which are owned by all the citizens in the County.
Commissioner Hinton moved to remand Resolution 106-92 as adopted by the previous
Board of Commissioners, back to the Jefferson CountylPort Townsend Shoreline Commis-
sion to assess the numerous concerns, impacts and issues derived from public testimony
(verbal and written) and direct the Jefferson County Planning Department to request DOE,
during their public hearing on February 3, 1993, to delay any action on this amendment
until issues can be resolved at the local level. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the
motion.
Commissioner Huntingford added that this action may not do any good, but it at least
shows that the County wants to be separate from the City's action. The Chairman called
for a vote on the motion. Commissioner Hinton and Commissioner Huntingford voted for
the motion and Chairman Wojt voted against the motion. The motion carried.
Chairman W ojt closed the public hearing.
The meeting was recessed at the end of the public hearing on Tuesday evening
and reconvened on Wednesday with all Board members present. The Board met with
Mike MèCormick of the State Department of Community Development, Growth Manage-
ment Division, and with the Superintendent and School Board President for Chimacum
School District No. 49.
The meeting was recessed after those meetings on Wednesday evening and
reconvened on Thursday morning. All three Board members were present to meet with the
Elected Officials in the morning.
'tot
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
Page: 11
In the afternoon the Board members met with Planning Department staff for a workshop
on the proposed SEP A Ordinance to address critical areas as required by Growth Manage-
ment. The following action was taken during that workshop:
Commissioner Huntingford moved' to set aside the proposed SEP A Ordinance as it is;
instruct the Planning staff to make changes to the SEP A amendment as discussed; and to
reconstruct a stand alone critical areas ordinance. Commissioner Hinton seconded the
motion.
Commissioner Huntingford then provided the following direction to the Planning Depart-
ment staff with regard to his motion:
·
Use the paste up copy of the proposed ordinance (to be provided by Commissioner
Huntingford).
Use AI Boucher's paper (dated February 1, 1993 Subject "A first approximation to a
possible scenario for drafting a critical areas ordinance.")
Provide recommendations on economic impacts to be imposed.
Provide a comparison between existing and new regulations.
When the ordinance is drafted hold more than one public workshop (3 or 4 around the
County).
Review the public comments received so the Board can make appropriate changes to
the draft.
· Take the revised draft to public hearing.
·
·
·
·
·
Commissioner Wojt asked for clarification on how the input from the forums already held
will be utilized to help direct this process? Commissioner Huntingford explained that some
of the items in the original ordinance may still be used in this new ordinance, or new
options provided may be used. He added that changes to be made could possibly have
been made if the hearing had been held in December. He feels it is a waste of time to
take the same draft ordinance back to the people. They want to see something different
and he feels that making this a stand alone ordinance is the way to proceed.
The discussion turned to the difficulties brought up by a number of people regarding the
time it will take to draft a new stand alone ordinance, and go through all of the procedural
requirements.
Eric Toews, Associate Planner, asked for more clarification of the Board's intent regarding
the options that have been presented for possible inclusion in the draft ordinance.
Commissioner Huntingford stated that the Board will continue to review the options to
provide guidance to the staff for drafting the ordinance. Eric Toews asked if the staff
would have the flexibility to reflect the Board's intent (as far as understood) in drafting
this ordinance, which the Board would review and verify before the ordinance was taken to
workshops? Commissioner Huntingford agreed with that procedure.
Chairman Wojt asked if it is going to be a Board ordinance or a Planning Commission
Ordinance? Eric Toews explained that the Board has two options under the Planning
Enabling Act for drafting ordinances: 1) Do a Planning Agency ordinance where the
Planning Department staff works with the Planning Commission to develop a new
regulation which is recommended to the Board for adoption, or 2) Do a Board Ordinance
where the Board directs Planning staff by providing policy input to draft the ordinance
which is then taken to the Planning Commission for review and a report.
Commissioner Huntingford stated that he would like to have the ordinance drafted in a
way that will work before it is given to the Planning Commission for review. Eric Toews
reminded the Board that the Planning Commission has a definite and substantive role to
play in the process of ordinance drafting and adoption. He advised that a new control
would require environmental review and a threshold determination under SEP A. If the
changes are substantial it is likely that the original threshold determination can not be
retained. Commissioner Huntingford stated that he would like to see some type of
"User's Guide" for the draft ordinance that is taken to workshops.
vot.
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Commissioners' Meeting Minutes: Week of February 1, 1993
Page: 12
Chairman Wojt asked again who will control the ordinance, the Board or the Planning
Commission? Commissioner Huntingford indicated that the ordinance is to be a "Board
Ordinance" with Planning Commission review. He added that his intention is that this
draft ordinance be a conglomeration of everything done to date with changes to be made
as necessary.
Eric Toews clarified that it is his understanding that the Board is directing the Planning
Department, through this motion and following instructions, to draft an ordinance to take to
workshops, to explain its operation and effect, to answer questions, and to informally
accept public comment. Even though the workshops will be informal, the comments
received could be used to make further modifications to the ordinance, under the Board
ordinance approach, prior to taking it to public hearing for submission of formal testimony.
Chairman Wojt called for a vote on the motion. Commissioner Hinton and Commissioner
Huntingford voted for the motion. Chairman Wojt voted against the motion. The motion
carried.
Eric Toews then advised that with this action to set aside the proposed November 18, 1992
draft SEP A Amendment Ordinance, all appeals of the SEP A threshold determination for
that Ordinance are dismissed.
The Board then continued with their workshop reviewing options and possible wording for
a critical areas ordinance.
SEAL:
JEPFERSO
//BOARD 0
MEETING ADJOURNED
ATTEST:
qI(9fluncz if I1ftM~
Lorna L. Delaney, (j
Clerk of the Board
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19 ~AtW .."!I. 1.21..