HomeMy WebLinkAbout12K- NOTICE OF APPLICATIONJEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE OF TYPE III SHORELINE VARIANCE APPLICATION MLA2022-00026/SDP2022-00010
APPLICANT: JEFFERSON LAND TRUST 1033 LAWRENCE ST PORT TOWNSEND WA 98368-6523
Application Received Date: March 8, 2022 Application Complete Date: June 10, 2022 Application Notice Date: August 10, 2022
SITE ADDRESS AND PROJECT LOCATION: Parcels 902243033 & 902243020; Section 24 - Township 29N - Range 2W; S24 T29 R2W TAX 64 SUBJ/REST COVT #521386 & S24 T29 R2W TAX 52 SUBJ/REST COVT #521386; 31 Fairmount Rd, Port Townsend, WA 98368
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND REQUIRED PERMITS/STUDIES: TYPE III SHORELINE VARIANCE PERMIT FOR A WATER ORIENTATED RECREATIONAL USE - The Jefferson Land Trust (“the applicant”) proposes to construct the Hall Baetz Viewpoint along 31 Fairmount Road in Port Townsend, Washington. The project site is located on the southern side of Discovery Bay. The Hall Baetz Viewpoint would serve as a public viewpoint of Discovery Bay and a natural/media interpretation area. In a larger context, the Hall Baetz Viewpoint may be designed to connect the existing Olympic Discovery Trail to a proposed trail expansion to the West. The trail expansion is not included in this Type III Shoreline Variance application. Improvements of the Hall Baetz Viewpoint include one viewing/memorial structure, one interpretive sign, one road approach, one parking lot with a capacity of ten vehicles, one vault restroom facility, and a pedestrian circulation walkway. The proposal would create approximately 9,500 square feet of new impervious surface and 33,240 square feet of land disturbing activities.
All work would be conducted on a vacant, previously disturbed property. There is a Category I Estuarine Wetland, Category IV Slope Wetland, Discovery Bay, two Type “F” Streams, Frequently Flooded Area (AE Flood Zone), Geological Hazardous Areas (Seismic Hazard Area and Tsunami Hazard Area), Susceptible Critical Aquifer Recharge Area, Coastal Saltwater Intrusion Protection Zone, and a potential Archeological Resource Area located on or adjacent to the subject property. No in water work is proposed. The applicant has submitted a SEPA Environmental Checklist, Engineering Geology Assessment, Engineered Stormwater Management Plan, Wetland Delineation Report, Mitigation Planting/Monitoring Plan, and Cultural Survey with the Type III Shoreline Variance Permit application. This proposal is subject to review under the State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”).
COMMENT PERIOD AND WHERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS: The application and any studies may be reviewed at the Jefferson County Department of Community Development or online at the following link: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/586/Public-Notices. All interested persons are invited to (a) comment on the application; (b) receive notice of and participate in any hearings; and (c) receive a copy of the decision by submitting such written comment(s)/request(s) to the Jefferson County Department of Community Development, Development Review Division, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 379-4450, or sent via email to the assigned planner (Ms. Hunt; ahunt@co.jefferson.wa.us).
Comments concerning this application should be submitted to the Department of Community Development by 4:30 p.m. on September 9, 2022. If the last day of the comment period falls on a weekend or holiday, then the comment period shall be extended to the first working day after the weekend or holiday. Comments submitted after this date may not be considered in the staff report.
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The optional Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) process of SEPA, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 197-11-355 is being used. DCD reviewed the proposal for probable adverse environmental impacts and expects to issue a DNS. This determination is based upon a review of the SEPA Checklist, project submissions, and other available information. Additional conditions or mitigation
measures may be required under SEPA.
The SEPA Official has determined that: This may be the only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the proposal. There will not be another comment period after the threshold (final) SEPA determination is made. If the threshold determination is a DNS or a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS), parties of record may appeal the decision to the Hearing Examiner within 14 days of the final Notice of Decision. A Determination of Significance (DS) may not be appealed to the Hearing Examiner. If a DNS or MDNS is appealed to the Hearing Examiner, parties of record may appeal the Hearing Examiner's decision to the Appellate Hearing Examiner within 14 days of the final Hearing Examiner Notice of Decision.
PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION: This is a Type III permit application that is subject to an open record hearing. An open record hearing will be scheduled after a decision by the Administrator has been made. Separate public notice of the determination by the Administrator and the date of the hearing will be provided at least 10 calendar days prior to the hearing. A copy of the staff report containing the Administrator’s decision will be made available for inspection at no cost at least 7 calendar days prior to such a hearing.
APPEALS: Appeals of SEPA decisions are described above in the SEPA Environmental Review Section. The final permit decision for this Type III permit application will be made by the Hearing Examiner. Decisions of the Appellate Hearing Examiner may not be further appealed except to Superior Court.
Project Planner: Amanda Hunt, 360-379-4458, ahunt@co.jefferson.wa.us Jefferson County Department of Community Development 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 379-4450 For further information, please visit the Jefferson County Department of Community Development web page at www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/