HomeMy WebLinkAbout0 Feb 21 Full Agenda PacketDistrict 1
Kevin Coker
Cynthia Koan
Ahren Stroming
District 2
Matt Sircely, Vice Chair
LD Richert
Michael Shultz
District 3
Richard Hull, Chair
Chris Llewellyn
Michael Nilssen
Public Comment: When the Chair recognizes you to speak, please begin by stating your name
and address. Please be aware that each person is limited to a three-minute comment.
AGENDA
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
Tri Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum, Washington 98325
This will be a hybrid meeting with telephone or on-line options. The public is invited to attend in-person,
with a limit of up to 50 percent of the venue' s capacity, pursuant to Resolution 24-22.
You can join this meeting remotely via Zoom:
Jefferson County Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Time: Feb 21, 2024 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/96997604223?pwd=NUJoRktHNEtOUjFHTUF1VDdSaXpXZz09
Meeting ID: 969 9760 4223
Passcode: 742684
This option will allow you to join the meeting live. You will need to enter an email address. If you wish
to provide public comment, click on the hand icon at the bottom of the screen to “raise your hand.”
The public comment period is managed by the Chair.
Please sign on 5 to 10 minutes before the official start of the meeting to check sound and video quality.
This video will be closed-captioned enabled.
Meeting Materials: To access the Planning Commission folder on the county’s Laserfiche Web Portal,
either navigate to the Jefferson County Planning Commission webpage & find the link there,
or, click on this link. Both the username and password to Laserfiche are “public”
5:30 Chair Welcome and Overview Presentation
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes: February 7, 2024
District 1
Kevin Coker
Cynthia Koan
Ahren Stroming
District 2
Matt Sircely, Vice Chair
LD Richert
Michael Shultz
District 3
Richard Hull, Chair
Chris Llewellyn
Michael Nilssen
Public Comment: When the Chair recognizes you to speak, please begin by stating your name
and address. Please be aware that each person is limited to a three-minute comment.
GENERAL UPDATES
4. Planning Commission Updates
5. DCD Staff and Director Updates
a. Web page update
b. LUPA case re: UDC code and Campgrounds
c. Resolution 08-24 setting new WUCC Members (Water Users Coordinating Committee)
d. Upcoming meetings and agendas
i. March 6, 2024: Public Hearing on Ch. 15.15 Flood Damage Prevention
amendments,
ii. March 6, 2024: What you need to know about septic and water—Randy Marx,
Public Environmental Health.
PUBLIC COMMENT – GENERAL
6. Public comments from attendees about any topic that is not on the agenda. Note that public
comment on agenda items are during the agenda item’s section.
7. Transmitted Information:
a. Chimacum Commons Prospectus—Olympic Housing Trust/Land Trust
b. DCD Community Outreach Summary & Attachments: Port Hadlock UGA Zoning Charrettes,
Short Term Rentals, CWSP recruitment.
REGULAR BUSINESS
8. Final Review of Vision Statement
a. Synopsis
For the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review, the Planning Commission provided
considerable effort and care to develop a Vision Statement for the Comprehensive Plan.
The Vision Statement provides background and support for defining the direction and
characteristics important to Jefferson County, including perspectives on Rural Character.
A review of the Vision Statement was done at the February 7, 2024 Planning Commission
meeting. In that meeting, the general consensus is that the Vision Statement remains
relevant, and only minor editing will be needed to make it current.
b. Assignment
The Planning Commissioners will bring suggested edits to the meeting so they can be
discussed, agreed upon, and incorporated into an updated Vision Statement. The
document will be edited in real-time by staff.
c. Options & Decisions
District 1
Kevin Coker
Cynthia Koan
Ahren Stroming
District 2
Matt Sircely, Vice Chair
LD Richert
Michael Shultz
District 3
Richard Hull, Chair
Chris Llewellyn
Michael Nilssen
Public Comment: When the Chair recognizes you to speak, please begin by stating your name
and address. Please be aware that each person is limited to a three-minute comment.
The assignment and process were agreed upon in the February 7, 2024 meeting. When
collaboration on the Vision Statement is complete, the Planning Commission can adopt
the recommended text by consensus or vote on the recommended text.
9. Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review – Amendment Proposals for 2024
a. Synopsis
The Jefferson County Code sets out procedures for amending the Comprehensive Plan
(CP) and Unified Development Code (UDC) (Ch. 18.45 JCC). The Board of County
Commissioners (BoCC) has directed Community Development to run the 2024 annual
amendment process this year, ending in December 2024, and defer an annual 2025
amendment cycle while the County completes the State-mandated periodic review
requirements by the mid-year 2025 deadline (Resolution #11-24).
In this meeting, Community Development will workshop with the Planning Commission to
identify proposals for the 2024 annual amendment cycle that will be on the preliminary
amendment docket. This discussion is in preparation for the March 1 deadline for
amendment proposals in the 2024 cycle (refer to the 2024 amendment calendar provided
in previous meetings). All 2024 proposals will be evaluated by Community Development,
given a public hearing and recommendations by the Planning Commission, and the final
docket established by the Board of Commissioners. Community Development and the
Planning Commission will then proceed to evaluate the Final Docket proposals.
Some amendment proposals may be scheduled outside of the annual amendment
process timeframe. These amendment proposals, responding to State-mandated periodic
review requirements, may require additional time to be developed and completed, and
therefore may be considered for adoption mid-year 2025. The Growth Management Act
(GMA, Chapter 36.70A RCW) generally allows amendments to comprehensive plans no
more often than once per year, except in emergency situations, as codified in JCC
18.45.010.
b. Assignment
Community Development’s presentation and the following discussion will include a broad
look at county needs and priorities as identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Prepare to
share your focus areas in the 2024 work, and identify subject matter that you may want
to assist with data development. Refer to the Commerce Checklist provided in a previous
meeting. Priorities already evident include housing issues, implementing regulations for
the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA) with urban-style development, tribal
involvement, and climate change.
Community Development proposes to organize and develop the annual amendment work
under the following project categories or case numbers:
i. 2024 site-specific amendment proposals (individual cases).
District 1
Kevin Coker
Cynthia Koan
Ahren Stroming
District 2
Matt Sircely, Vice Chair
LD Richert
Michael Shultz
District 3
Richard Hull, Chair
Chris Llewellyn
Michael Nilssen
Public Comment: When the Chair recognizes you to speak, please begin by stating your name
and address. Please be aware that each person is limited to a three-minute comment.
ii. All general County Periodic Review & Update work for 2024, including
City/County work on UGA swap discussions.
iii. Port Hadlock UGA work (zoning, development-based regulations,
subdivision regulations).
iv. Planning Commission 2023 Rural Housing Proposals
c. Options & Decisions
No decisions are anticipated as this will be discussion and consensus-building around
upcoming work.
10. Adjourn
621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450 Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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MEETING MINUTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Regular Meeting – February 7, 2024
Tri Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum, Washington 98325 Actual start time 5:36 PM: Welcome Chair and Overview Presentation
• Call to Order/Roll Call
Kevin Coker Present Matt Sircely Present Richard Hull Present
Cynthia Koan Present LD Richert Present Chris Llewellyn Present
Ahren Stroming Present (ZOOM 6:30p) Michael Shultz Present Michael Nilssen Present (ZOOM)
• Approval of Agenda: approved, by acclimation
• Approval of Minutes (Due to connectivity issues, Commissioner Nilssen was unable to vote on
approval of minutes):
a. January 17, 2024 Regular Meeting: KC 1st / CK 2nd – 6 yay, 1 abstention, - approved
b. January 20, 2024 Retreat: CK 1st / KC 2nd – 7 yay - approved
GENERAL UPDATES
1. Planning Commission Updates:
KC: JeffCO Home Builders show is coming up March 2nd. Great event, look forward to seeing the
Commissioners there.
MaS: No results at this time from the housing subcommittee. Great work has been/is being done.
Look forward to sharing these results in the near future as the Commission prepares to pick back
up some of this work.
2. DCD Staff Updates:
Brent Butler, Short term rental public outreach:
• Developing questions to support productive public outreach meetings on short term
rentals to be distributed/made available to community members prior to public outreach
meetings
• A brief discussion on proliferation of unpermitted short-term rental operations within
Jefferson County.
• Code compliance best practices among short term rentals.
• The role that consultant Granicus will play in developing short term rental data within
Jefferson County.
• Specific differences between the two categories of short-term rentals: with structures and
without structures.
• Specific differences within the two categories of short-term rentals: with structures and
without structures.
Joel Peterson:
• Revised Outreach proposal for regulations governing rentals for less than 30 days, see
memo in Transmitted Information
621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450 Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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• Printing copies of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan (CP) is cost prohibitive. PC is encouraged
to access the CP from the County web page. Community Development may provide
copies of portions of the CP as needed for specific reviews.
• Upcoming meetings:
i. February 21 - Comprehensive Planning, 2024 Site-specific Amendments.
ii. March 6 – Randy Marx, Public Environmental Health, septic & water rules; and
Brent Butler, Public Hearing on Ch. 15.15 Flood Damage Prevention code.
PUBLIC COMMENT – GENERAL
3. Public comments
• Jesse Thomas, Chimacum Crossroads Development – Time location of Jesse’s comment
within the video recording of the meeting: 42:37 – 46:05
4. Transmitted Information: list any documents that were submitted as part of the agenda
• Revised Outreach proposal for regulations governing rentals for less than 30 days
• February 7, 2024, Update: Flood Damage Prevention – Jefferson County Code Chapter
15.15
• Serial Meeting Information
REGULAR BUSINESS
5. Follow-up from Planning Commission Retreat
• Synopsis
The January 20, 2024 Planning Commission retreat minutes were included in this meeting’s
agenda packet. See Retreat minutes regarding improvements to operationalize.
Process improvement for 2024 have been incorporated into this 2/7/2024 meeting agenda,
including: 1) agenda format that includes with each regular business item a Synopsis,
Assignment, and Options & Decision portion; 2) meeting minutes template updated; 3) Web
page improvements underway. 4) The Planning Commissioners will increase communication
among each other to pass along meeting reminders, provide support, assistance, and
accountability for each other; but not create serial meetings.
Commissioner feedback: Chair Hull is uncomfortable with the Commissioners meeting, in any
capacity, with each other outside of formal meetings. Current communication methods are
adequate. We will proceed as usual.
Bring confirmation that Commissioners within PC Districts are in contact with each other for
assistance, emergency contact, community outreach opportunities, etc.
Chair and Vice-Chair will be responsible for distributing pertinent information to Planning
Commissioners on an as-needed basis.
o Commissioner Koan would like to emphasize the Planning Commission’s desire to have
their annual PC Retreat take place in the Fall rather that the first of the year. This syncs
up better with the PC work flow, among other things.
621 Sheridan St. P: 360-379-4450 Port Townsend, WA, 98368 PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us
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• Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update Review Project and upcoming Planning Commission work
(Joel Peterson):
a. Community Development is updating the Planning Commission on the CP Periodic
Review update. Additional detail will be provided regarding annual amendments for the
2024 cycle, and the ongoing 18-month periodic review ending June, 2025. Initial
Comprehensive Plan work by the Planning Commission is to establish a Vision
Statement, which we will work on in the meeting. Please see attachment to this
agenda.
Commissioner feedback: The Commissioners have worked hard previously to draft a
Comp Plan Vision Statement that we are happy with. Perhaps there are opportunities
for small updates. Overall, we are pleased with this Vision Statement and do not want
to spend resources re-visiting this component of the Comp plan.
b. Demonstrate that you are able to access the Comprehensive Plan and Unified
Development Code. If you have problems, contact Staff immediately.
c. Read the “Cover & TOC 2018” and “Foundation 2018” documents. (Approximately 26
pages)
d. Reconvening the Growth Management Steering Committee
e. Public Hearing Schedule on Ch. 15.15 Flood Damage Prevention Code
f. March 1st amendment proposal deadline
g. Housing needs assessment
h. Conversation on re-defining “rural character” within the context of the Comp plan.
o Announcement from Commissioner Sircely on his recent job developments that
included his perspective on the definition of “rural character”.
6:58 pm ADJOURNMENT The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for 2024-02-21 at 5:30. These meeting minutes were approved this ____________ day of_____, 2024. Richard Hull, Chair Residing Secretary
Chimacum Commons
Project Prospectus
Summary
Jefferson Land Trust and the Olympic Housing Trust are in partnership to explore innovative
housing development possibilities upon the land known as Chimacum Commons, while
stewarding the agrarian and riparian values. In 2014, Jefferson Land Trust purchased property
in the heart of Chimacum as part of a farmland conservation and habitat restoration program.
The 16-acre site is historic farmland that has been relatively underutilized and only recently
leased to a small farm operation.
A portion of Chimacum Creek
runs adjacent to the property,
where Jefferson Land Trust has
helped to replant a riparian
habitat. The potential for the
site to serve and enhance the
local food system led Jefferson
Land Trust to develop a vision
for a future use of the property
that would include habitat
preservation and productive
farming while providing much
needed housing for
food-system workers in Jefferson County. In order to execute on this approach together, the
Jefferson Land Trust and Olympic Housing Trust (OHT) entered into partnership to explore the
feasibility of a project. Additionally, OHT has secured an MOU with the neighboring property
owned by Michael and Arthea Gould to explore extending the project into their lots.
The Olympic Housing Trust is pursuing a plan to identify affordable housing solutions that will
reflect the rural character, meet Jefferson County’s housing challenge, optimize the benefit of
residents upon this property and steward the agrarian and riparian values.
Property Details
Property Owner: Jefferson Land Trust (outlined in red on map)
Updated 2/7/2024
Agenda Item 7A1
Parcels: 901142010, 901113013
Acreage: 16.03
Property Owner: Michael and Arthea Gould (outlined in blue on map)
Parcels: 901142023, 901142018, 90113017, 901142031.
Acreage: 1.77
The project is centrally sited in unincorporated Chimacum within Jefferson County. The property
is zoned Rural Residential-5 (RR-5).
Need
Jefferson County is ranked as the 3rd most
unaffordable county in Washington State.
With an exceptionally low vacancy rate,
rapidly increasing home and rent prices, and
a persistent lack of safe rental options for a
wide range of incomes, the need is great for
many residents in the County. Food system
workers in particular are often challenged by
housing insecurity which can hinder their
ability to stay in the area. Surveyed
members of the food system workforce show
a clear desire to live and work in Jefferson
County into the future.
Initial Survey Responses:
“I think one the most important parts is making sure it’s supportive of both short term seasonal
workers who are crucial here, and more permanent residents who would like a pathway to
being able to pursue their creative endeavors on some land…I think the Commons would be
most helpful as a mix of different types of housing for different needs. Thanks so much for
doing what you’re doing!”- farmer, 11/7/23
“I really appreciate this happening. So many people have had very poor living conditions, high
rent, no security in housing. Many young people have come with vital skills and had to leave
due to nothing in their price range.”- produce sales, 12/29/23
“We lose out on good farm workers because we don't have reasonable housing options for
them. Thank you for helping bring affordable farmworker housing to our area!”- farm
manager, 7/27/23
Updated 2/7/2024
Agenda Item 7A2
Development Plan
The project will likely produce a mixture of permanent and temporary housing solutions for
qualifying residents of Jefferson County. These units may be for ownership or for rental. These
options may include:
● Detached single-family houses
● Duplexes
● Community houses
● Satellite bedrooms
● Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) permitted as park model units
● Communal facility with laundry, shared kitchen, and other amenities.
Units will meet their respective standards including the IRC 2021 (building) and NFPA 1194 (RV
park) standards.
KEY PROJECT DETAILS
Number of homes TBD
Level of affordability TBD, generally below 80% AMI
Type of housing Permanent ownership or rental with a 99-year,
deed restricted ground lease
Community ownership model TBD, possibly utilizing a co-op model
Agrarian aspects Leased to land stewards and farmers
Project Goals
The Olympic Housing Trust is determined to find a development pathway for the Chimacum
Commons project. In Phase One of the project, OHT has outlined six objectives with Jefferson
Land Trust, followed by Phase Two beginning in March 2024:
Phase One (August 2023 - February 2024):
● Craft a shared vision between organizations
● Determine best housing types that will best suit needs of the community, with a particular
emphasis on food system workers
● Draft basic site plan and design documents
● Initiate discussions with Jefferson County Department of Community Development
● Draft project timeline and construction budget
● Outline eventual ownership model
Updated 2/7/2024
Agenda Item 7A3
Design Goals
Jefferson Land Trust has set out five design features to steer the project’s development:
1. Design with future generations in mind
2. Respond to needs of residents and the agriculture economy in the area
3. Respect, enhance, and highlight the scenic values of the property
4. Design to have low environmental impact, and build with local and low-impact materials
5. Maximize the number of permanently affordable housing units and the number of people
living in them
If Olympic Housing Trust is able to develop upon the land the team intends to observe these
design parameters, in addition to JLT’s:
a. Utilize low-impact development practices, including clustered housing,
low-embodied energy and green materials, considerations of alternative
wastewater management, passive solar design,
b. Community labor project to enhance learning and participation in building.
c. Cooperative or cohousing governance for tenant self-governance.
d. Integration of the surrounding public with a walking path and educational
opportunities
Affordability and Housing Model
OHT will utilize its community land trust model of permanent affordability through ground lease
agreements and deed restrictions to ensure the project meets its affordability goal. OHT has not
yet determined the scope of housing options available to the project. Both ownership and rental
housing are being considered, and in a variety of configurations. Additionally, it may be
necessary to form a co-operative model to ensure residency requirements for food system
workers.
Project Team
Property Owner Jefferson Land Trust
Prospective Project Developer Olympic Housing Trust
Design Team Lauren Ehnebuske
Inhabit Design
Richard Berg
Terrapin Architecture
Development Assistance Angie Lopez and Erika Holzhauer
RCAC
Updated 2/7/2024
Agenda Item 7A4
Advisory Committee Crystie Kisler
Richard Tucker
Erik Kingfisher
Amit Sharma
Kate Dean
Katy McCoy
Francesco Tortorici
Funding
The project will utilize a variety of funding from private and public sources. OHT will seek public
funding from sources including the Department of Commerce’s Housing Trust Fund and CHIP
funds, and will explore use of the USDA Off-Farm Labor Housing program. Private individuals
and philanthropies will also be approached to support this unique new project.
Milestones and Timeline
Together the Jefferson Land Trust, the Olympic Housing Trust, and their advisory team are
consistently making progress for the Chimacum Commons project. Key activities that have been
completed or are upcoming include:
● Property purchased by Jefferson Land Trust…2014
● Early preliminary analysis…2015 - 2018
● Housing organizations invited to submit LOI…January, 2023
● MOU signed with Olympic Housing Trust…July, 2023
● Schedule 1 Project Plan begun…August, 2023
● Initiate contact with Jefferson County…October, 2023
● Design Team assembled…November, 2023
● Community stakeholder engagement…February, 2024
● OHT completes Phase 1 with initial recommendations… February, 2024
● Phase 2 begins…March, 2024
Contact
Jefferson Land Trust:www.saveland.org
Richard Tucker:rtucker@saveland.org
Erik Kingfisher:ekingfisher@saveland.org
Olympic Housing Trust:www.olympichousingtrust.org
Board President, Jesse Thomas:jesse@olympichousingtrust.org
Outreach and Development Manager, Kellen Lynch:kellen.lynch@outlook.com
Updated 2/7/2024
Agenda Item 7A5
1
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
FROM: Brent A. Butler, AICP, Chief Strategy Officer
DATE: February 21, 2024
SUBJECT: Planning Agency Community Outreach Summary Related to:
(1) Water Utility Coordinating Committee,
(2) Short Term Rentals, and
(3) Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area Zoning
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Department of Community Development (“DCD”) continues to advance housing development and
preservation through several parallel efforts, including the creation of (1) the C-PACER program, (2)
preapproved plans, (3) revisions to the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area zoning regulations, and (4)
reviewing short term rental provisions to lessen their impact on housing availability. As recently
documented in Homelessness is a Housing Problem by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Aldern, this new book
separates fact from fiction and argues that the Planning Commission’s efforts to incentivize housing
development and construction may be the greatest contributor to reducing homelessness. Given DCD’s
response to a recent survey distributed by the Runstad Center illustrates that few of the state-sanctioned
incentives are available within Jefferson County (see Attachment 1 – Survey Result), these efforts may be
essential to what some consider an existential crisis, housing availability.
Two of the attached press releases are related to this ongoing crisis, which according to the Runstad
Center continues unabated (see Attachment 2 – Press Releases). The third addresses a critical housing
need, water available (see Attachment 2 – Press Releases) In the third quarter of 2023, which is the last
published housing data, Jefferson County ranks as the second most unaffordable county for both first time
and other homebuyers. Furthermore, based on the attached 3rd qtr. 2023 market snapshot,
https://wcrer.be.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/11/Housing-Market-Snapshot-Q3-2023.pdf,
Jefferson County’s median price of $650,000 is the quarter’s forth highest based on data documenting San
Juan at $970,000, King at $908,100, and Island at $657,800. This contrasts the last full year, 2022, which
ranks Jefferson County county’s median price of $606,800 as the fifth highest median sales price after
San Juan Island at $958,300; King at $914,300; Snohomish at $760,600; and Whatcom at $608,300.You
can always access this data online at: https://wcrer.be.uw.edu/archived-reports/
RECOMMENDATION:
Please review the attached press releases, and share with your network to ensure the greatest possible
participation.
Agenda Item 7B-1
2
ATTACHMENT 1 - SURVEY RESULTS
Agenda Item 7B-2
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Agenda Item 7B-3
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Agenda Item 7B-4
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Agenda Item 7B-5
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Agenda Item 7B-6
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Agenda Item 7B-7
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Agenda Item 7B-8
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Agenda Item 7B-9
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Agenda Item 7B-10
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Agenda Item 7B-11
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Agenda Item 7B-12
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ATTACHMENT 2 – PRESS RELEASES
Agenda Item 7B-13
Jefferson County cordially invites participation in learning about the
Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area Regulations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jefferson County, WA, February 15, 2024 - Throughout March, April, and May, Jefferson County
will be conducting a series of developer charrettes aimed at disseminating information
regarding urban regulations slated to take effect upon the completion of the sewer system in
the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area. Charrettes serve as a collaborative planning process that
engages the expertise and enthusiasm of all concerned parties to facilitate the development of
projects aligning with the community's needs and aspirations. Following the inaugural event on
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 pm, additional charrettes are scheduled for
Thursday, April 25, 2024, and May 30, 2024, from 2 to 5 pm. Further details regarding the sewer
system can be found online at: Jefferson County - Hadlock Wastewater System.
During these charrettes, property owners and individuals interested in the development of
"missing middle" housing will collaborate to identify obstacles hindering the construction of
multifamily dwellings that harmonize with their surroundings. "Missing middle" housing
encompasses a variety of multifamily units designed to complement detached single-family
homes in terms of scale and design, with the aim of seamlessly integrating into the existing
community. These housing options, along with the necessary infrastructure, are crafted to
foster a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly neighborhood conducive to individuals of all ages, from
eight to eighty. Among the objectives of these meetings are to: (1) Expand the availability of
housing, (2) Foster the creation of housing accessible to varying income levels within Jefferson
County, and (3) Eliminate barriers preventing developers or current property owners from
constructing housing or enhancing their properties in accordance with local economic
considerations. Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour comments: “These events will be a great
opportunity for local residents to learn what development regulations will be turned on with
the sewer, what will be allowed and not allowed - and frankly what Port Hadlock will look like
once the sewer is ready to go.”
The primary focus of the initial charrette will be a comprehensive review of the urban
regulations that will be in force upon the completion of phase 1 of the sewer/wastewater
project, aimed at ensuring that new community members are well-informed about what to
expect. This session is scheduled for the evening of March 27 to accommodate individuals who
may be working during the day. Subsequent charrettes will center on local economic factors, as
Agenda Item 7B - Attachment 2 - 1
it is imperative to ensure that developers and existing landowners engage in building or
partnering with others to address the community’s housing needs. Consequently, the second
and third charrettes are slated for regular business hours when developers are typically
available.
For additional information, please contact Brent Butler at bbutler@co.jefferson.wa.us.
###
Agenda Item 7B - Attachment 2 - 2
Public invited to help shape regulations regarding rentals for less than 30 days,
like Airbnb and HIP Camp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jefferson County, WA, February 15, 2024 - Jefferson County is holding three public sessions on
March 12th at the Cape George Fire Station, March 13th at the Tri-Area Community Center, and
March 14th at the Quilcene Community Center. All sessions start at 5:30pm.
Airbnb and HIP Camp represent the two ends of the rental spectrum for transient or tourist
accommodations of less than 30 days since one is typically within a single-family residence and
the other may be in a tent outside, for example. While tent camping is approved through a
public hearing process leading to a conditional use permit (CUP) to determine the appropriate
infrastructure such as septic and parking, rentals within an existing single-family home are only
required to document life safety compliance such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
and a way to escape in the event of a fire (egress).
Because rentals for less than 30 days reduce workforce housing, generally defined as long term
rentals serving Jefferson County’s work force, e. g. caregivers, teachers, firefighters, the County
requests your input. At these sessions, staff will explain current regulations, expanded
enforcement options regarding unpermitted rentals, and share how other counties such as San
Juan and Chelan counties balance the need for tourist housing against long term rentals serving
the workforce. Commissioner Kate Dean comments: “The goal is to determine if and how to
change existing regulations.”
For additional information, please contact Brent Butler at bbutler@co.jefferson.wa.us.
###
Agenda Item 7B - Attachment 2 - 3
Opening on the Water Utility Coordinating Committee – County seeks an interested party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jefferson County, WA, February 15, 2024 - The Jefferson County Board of County
Commissioners is actively seeking a community member who operates a water system serving
fewer than 50 users to join the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC).
Established to address issues such as uncoordinated water planning, inadequate water quality,
or unreliable service, the WUCC has been in operation since 1983. Its inception was prompted
by concerns that Jefferson County's water resource needs were not being adequately met.
Consequently, the Board of County Commissioners designated a Critical Water Supply Service
Area covering the entire county, recognizing the potential benefits of a Coordinated Water
System Plan (CWSP) for all residents. However, the current CWSP is in need of updating.
"We're looking for a dedicated individual to join the Water Utility Coordinating Committee and
help shape the future of water management in Jefferson County," said Commissioner Greg
Brotherton. "Your involvement will be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by smaller
water systems and ensuring reliable and sustainable water services for our community."
As a member of the WUCC, you would play a vital role in the development of this updated plan,
particularly in identifying the challenges and requirements specific to smaller water purveyors.
Anticipated commitments include quarterly 90-minute meetings over the next 18 months,
during which you would collaborate closely with the hired consultant to guide the plan's
evolution.
For details, please visit: Jefferson County Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC)
For additional information or to express interest, please contact Brent Butler at
bbutler@co.jefferson.wa.us.
###
Agenda Item 7B - Attachment 2 - 4