HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablish Final Docket Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Josh D. Peters, AICP, Director, Community Development
Joel M. Peterson,Associate Planner, Community Development
DATE: May 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Deliberation and Possible Decision: Establishment of Final Docket, 2024
Comprehensive Plan & Unified Development Code Annual Amendment
Cycle; and Planning Commission Recommendation on 2024
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Final Docket
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Jefferson County Planning Commission has completed its review of the 2024
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Preliminary Docket per JCC 18.45.060(3), and as
required,transmits their recommendation on the final docket to the BoCC for consideration
and possible adoption.Attached: Planning Commission Recommendation Letter, May 2,
2024. The Department of Community Development recommendation is the same as the
Planning Commission recommendation. From the preliminary docket,the proposed omnibus
UDC amendments proposal is recommended to be dropped, and a proposal to review the
Jefferson County Airport Essential Public Facility District (AEPF) and Airport Overlay III
within the AEPF was added to the recommended final docket. There are four items
recommended to be docketed for the 2024 amendment cycle.
ANALYSIS:
JCC 18.45.060. "By the second regular board of county commissioners meeting in May of
each year,the board of county commissioners shall review and consider the planning
commission's report and recommended final docket at a regularly scheduled commissioners
meeting. The board of county commissioners may adopt the planning commission's
recommended final docket without a public hearing; however, in the event that a majority of
the board of county commissioners decides to add or subtract suggested amendments, it shall
first hold a public hearing, noticed as set forth in subsection (3) of this section, which shall be
held by the first board of county commissioners meeting in July" [July 1, 2024].
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Regular Agenda
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact by adopting a Final Docket. The cost estimates within the attached DCD
Preliminary Docket Report and Recommendation to complete the work presumes general-fund-
supported activities are at a level that matches the Long-Range Planning budget already supported by
the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Community Development supports the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt the
following four(4) suggested text amendment proposals as the 2024 Final Docket:
1.2024 Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA With implementation of the sanitary sewer in
Comprehensive Plan(CP)&UDC Amendments, Port Hadlock UGA, updated UGA regulations
and Potential 2024 UGA Amendments Continuing are urgently needed for the development of
through 2025 Periodic Update, Including Middle affordable housing.
Housing Amendments
2.2024 UGA CP& UDC Amendments to Modify Investigating the possibility of swapping rural
the Port Townsend UGA Boundary by Removing land with Port Townsend UGA,and thereby
Farmland following De-annexation and Adding the enabling urban infrastructure to Caswell
Caswell-Brown Village(Housing Facility)and Brown Village, is critically important to
Adjacent Public Properties i.e.,"UGA Swap") provide supportive housing.
3.Planning Commission UDC Rural Housing New development regulations enabling
Amendments Carried Forward from 2023 Cycle congregate housing and alternative
development standards in single-family
residential zones is urgently needed as one
solution to limited affordable housing supply.
4. Review of Land Use and Zoning in the Jefferson Timing is appropriate to accommodate
County Airport Essential Public Facility(AEPF), existing business growth and new job creation
Particularly Airport Overlay III,Jefferson County potential.Allowing additional zoning on port-
International Airport(JCIA): Port of Port Townsend owned property,adjacent to JCIA,offers the
community a path to maintaining good-paying
job growth that is needed in Jefferson County.
Staff recommends that the Board act to establish the Final Docket as recommended by the Planning
Commission. As stated in the Analysis section of this document, if the Board wishes to add or
subtract amendments, then the Board will hold a public hearing on the amended docket.
REVIEWED BY:
Ael
Mark McCauley, unty Administrator UDatc
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
y =� PLANNING COMMISSION
621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-4450 1 email: PlanComm@co.jefferson.wa.us
www.co.jefferson.wa.us/580/Planning-Commission
TO: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
FROM: Jefferson County Planning Commission
DATE: May 2, 2024
SUBJECT: Jefferson County Planning Commission's Report and Recommendation for the
2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Final Docket
The Jefferson County Planning Commission (PC) has conducted its review of the 2024 Preliminary Docket and
submits this report and recommendations to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners(BoCC). This report
identifies those suggested text amendments the Planning Commission is recommending for consideration by the
BoCC during the 2024 annual amendment process.
On March 20, 2024,the PC received the Department of Community Development's (DCD) report on the 2024
amendment proposals received. No site-specific amendment proposals were received for the 2024 amendment
cycle.
On April 17, 2024,the PC reviewed the proposals on the preliminary docket with DCD, including a new proposal
by the Port of Port Townsend regarding expansion of Airport Overlay III.
On May 1, 2024 the PC held a duly noticed public hearing to accept testimony regarding the suggested text
amendments on the Preliminary Docket.The written record contains one letter in support of the Airport Overlay
III proposal,and verbal testimony included two comments in favor of the DCD docket evaluation and
recommendations.
We submit to you the following recommendations regarding which suggested text amendments should be
placed on the Final Docket:
2024 Suggested Text Amendments for Final Docket
We have based our recommendation on need, urgency, and appropriateness of each suggested text
amendment.Through a motion and affirmative vote at the regularly scheduled meeting of May 1, 2024, of seven
(7) in favor, no opposed, and one(1) abstention, the Planning Commission recommendation for the 2024 annual
amendment docket as follows:
Proposal Findings of Need, Urgency&Appropriateness Recommendation
1. 2024 Port Hadlock/Irondale With implementation of the sanitary sewer in Final Docket
UGA Comprehensive Plan (CP) Port Hadlock UGA, updated UGA regulations
& UDC Amendments,and are urgently needed for the development of
Potential 2024 UGA affordable housing.
1
Jefferson County Planning Commission Recommendations on Final Docket
2024 Comprehensive Plan&Unified Development Code Annual Amendment Cycle
Amendments Continuing
through 2025 Periodic
Update, Including Middle
Housing Amendments
2. 2024 UGA CP& UDC Final Docket
Amendments to Modify the Investigating the possibility of swapping rural
Port Townsend UGA land with Port Townsend UGA, and thereby
Boundary by Removing enabling urban infrastructure to Caswell
Farmland following De- Brown Village, is critically important to provide
annexation and Adding the supportive housing.
Caswell-Brown Village
(Housing Facility) and
Adjacent Public Properties
(i.e., "UGA Swap")
3. Planning Commission UDC New development regulations enabling Final Docket
Rural Housing Amendments congregate housing and alternative
Carried Forward from 2023 development standards in single-family
Cycle residential zones is urgently needed as one
solution to limited affordable housing supply.
4. 2024 UDC Annual We concur with Community Development that Do Not Docket
Housekeeping Amendment a UDC housekeeping proposal is not critical to
Docket the 2024 docket.
5. Review of Land Use and Timing is appropriate to accommodate existing Final Docket
Zoning in the Jefferson business growth and new job creation
County Airport Essential potential.Allowing additional zoning on port-
Public Facility(AEPF), owned property, adjacent to JCIA,offers the
Particularly Airport Overlay III, community a path to maintaining good-paying
Jefferson County job growth that is needed in Jefferson County.
International Airport (JCIA):
Port of Port Townsend
These recommendations match those of the Department of Community Development.
Thank you for your consideration.
'
Richard Hull, Chair Date
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�tioN JEFFERSON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-4450 1 email: dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us
9,s/I I^'G-�` www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/Community-Development
Department of Community Development's Review and Recommendation
for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle Final Docket
TO: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, County Administrator, Planning Commission, and
Interested Parties
FROM: Department of Community Development
DATE: April 25, 2024
Preliminary Docket Review Process
Chapter 18.45 of the Jefferson County Code (JCC) specifies a process of developing, evaluating, and establishing
an annual docket of proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC).
The Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD) annually accepts applications for formal
site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendments (i.e., re-zones) and suggested text amendments to the Jefferson
County Comprehensive Plan and UDC for inclusion in the annual Comprehensive Plan amendment preliminary
docket. In addition, DCD submits staff-suggested amendments for potential inclusion on the final docket.
This report evaluates the 2024 preliminary docket and provides DCD's recommendations to the Board of County
Commissioners (BoCC), which establishes the contents of the final docket.This evaluation addresses the need,
urgency, and appropriateness of each suggested amendment, as well as consideration of DCD staff capacity and
costs to review the suggested amendments and manage the public process.
For the 2024 annual amendment cycle, DCD received no site-specific amendment proposals as of March 1, 2024.
The preliminary docket is exclusively suggested text amendments. (DCD previously provided the Planning
Commission a Comprehensive Plan and UDC Text Amendment Preliminary Docket report dated March 15, 2024.)
Regarding the 2024 suggested text amendments, DCD is coordinating concurrent processes for: 1)the 2024
Comprehensive Plan and UDC Annual Amendment Cycle, and 2) the 2025 Periodic Update per the state Growth
Management Act(GMA).The manner of this coordination promotes those suggested amendments that have a
time-sensitive component to be addressed during the 2024 annual amendment cycle, and will incorporate
available information being developed concurrently from the 2025 periodic update work.
Planning Commission Review of Preliminary Docket
DCD's review and recommendations are presented to the PC for their review of the preliminary docket.After a
public hearing, the PC makes a recommendation to the BoCC on which proposed amendments should be
included in the final docket. If the BoCC decides to change the PC's recommendation by adding, deleting, or
modifying proposed docket items,they are required to hold a separate public hearing prior to the adoption of
the final docket. Once the final docket is adopted by the BoCC, DCD staff processes the proposed amendments
consistent with the timeline below.
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2024 Amendment Schedule
Figure 1-Process and Proposed Timeline for Establishing and Processing the Docket
Date Activity
March 1, 2024 Deadline for submittal of proposed Comp Plan and UDC text Amendments for the
preliminary docket per JCC 18.45.040(2)(a).
March 15, 2024 Staff prepared a formal Preliminary Docket of proposed amendments (attached) per JCC
18.45.050.
April 17, 2024 Staff presented the Preliminary Docket to the Planning Commission and briefed them on
the annual Comp Plan cycle and the docket process.
May 1, 2024 The Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the Preliminary Docket and crafts a
recommendation to the BoCC on contents of the final docket.
May 13 (or 20), Staff presents the Preliminary Docket and Planning Commission Recommendation to the
2024 BoCC.
June 2024 BoCC adopts a Final Docket should they accept the PC's recommendation, or after they
hold a public hearing should they choose to vary from the PC recommendation.
July-Sept, 2024 Staff analyzes docket and produces a report with a recommendation on approval, denial,
or approval with conditions or modifications for each proposed amendment.
October 2024 Planning Commission reviews Staff Report and Recommendation, holds public hearing,
and makes recommendation to BoCC on approval of Final Docket.
Oct-Nov, 2024 BoCC reviews Amendments, Staff, and Planning Commission recommendations. Holds
public hearing if changing Planning Commission recommendation. Staff drafts adopting
ordinance in collaboration with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO).
December 9, 2024 BoCC shall take final legislative action on 2024 Docket by second regular board meeting
in December, unless extended by the BoCC consistent with WAC 365-196-640(3)(a).
Schedule pursuant to Chapter 18.45 JCC
2024 Proposed CP&UDC Text Amendments
1. 2024 Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA Comprehensive Plan (CP)&UDC Amendments,and Potential 2024
UGA Amendments Continuing through 2025 Periodic Update, Including Middle Housing Amendments
Project Description: Amendments to the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area development regulations(Ch. 18.18)
are proposed to address changing conditions resulting from the initiation of a sanitary sewer system, as well as
responding to legislative amendments to the state Growth Management Act(GMA). Future public outreach and
contracted work on middle housing amendments will result in specific proposed text amendments to CP& UDC.
The 2024 proposal is anticipated to include unit lot subdivision standards applicable to different housing
typologies, amended Chapter 18.30 performance standards applicable to the Port Hadlock UGA consistent with
'best practices'for smart growth,flexible densities responsive to a project's delivery of community benefits, and
the establishment of a new mixed-use zoning district(or modification of uses allowed within existing
Commercial district).The subdivision provisions would apply to the division of land for single-family attached
dwelling developments or may be used as an alternative to a conventional subdivision or short subdivision for
the development of single-family detached dwellings.The proposal also addresses the application of automatic
fire-extinguishing systems in Title 15 of the JCC(i.e., Building Codes and Fire Zones).
Staff Analysis:
a) Need: Develop provisions in UDC that will enhance urban development in the Port Hadlock UGA.
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b) Urgency: Enable affordable housing developers (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Bayside Housing Services,
Peninsula Housing Authority, Shelter Resources,Tribes, Olympic Housing Trust, and Olympic Community
Action Partnerships)to develop housing projects as sewer service becomes available.
c) Appropriateness: Housing is a critical issue in Jefferson County. Urban zoning within initial sewer service
area in Port Hadlock UGA anticipated to come into effect mid-2025.
d) DCD staff capacity to substantively review and manage the suggested text amendments: Sufficient.
e) Anticipated DCD cost and budget for processing the suggested amendments: This scope of work will be
covered by the General Fund, the Department of Commerce Middle Housing Grant, and other grant
resources, as available.
2. 2024 UGA CP&UDC Amendments to Modify the Port Townsend UGA Boundary by Removing
Farmland following De-annexation and Adding the Caswell-Brown Village (Housing Facility)and
Adjacent Public Properties(i.e., "UGA Swap")
Project Description: Investigate the applicability and implementation of recent state legislative amendments to
GMA governing the process of land swaps between rural lands and urban growth areas.Amendment proposals
include Zoning Text Amendments, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Zoning Map Amendments.
Staff Analysis:
a) Need: Use new state legislation that allows a net-zero "swap" involving land that is not suitable for urban
development for land appropriate for urban development or services.
b) Urgency:Time-sensitive state grant provisions for Caswell-Brown Village infrastructure that sunset in 2024.
c) Appropriateness: Wastewater systems(sewers) provide a better option than septic systems for increased
service capacity.The Caswell-Brown Village site currently houses those in Jefferson County facing housing
insecurity and its expansion is constrained by land needed for a large onsite septic system.
d) DCD staff capacity: Sufficient, in collaboration with City of Port Townsend staff.
e) Anticipated DCD cost and budget for processing the suggested amendments: DCD anticipates that this
project analysis will require approximately$10,000 equivalent hours in staff time out of the General Fund.
3. Planning Commission UDC Rural Housing Amendments Carried Forward from 2023 Cycle
Project Description: Develop new rural housing code to add development regulations specific to congregate
housing and farmworker housing. Create a rural housing overlay applying alternative development standards for
sites that can accommodate multiple small homes or a congregate housing structure in a single-family
residential zone, and that can demonstrate lower impacts through meeting new performance standards.
Staff Analysis:
a) Need: Provide alternative rural residential development.
b) Urgency:The climate for developing housing alternatives is present at state and local levels.
c) Appropriateness: Work has already begun in 2023 is carried into 2024.
d) DCD staff capacity and Cost: The scope of work is included in the Department of Commerce Planning Update
Grant.
4. 2024 UDC Annual Housekeeping Amendment Docket
Project Description: Annual Housekeeping Docket of Proposed UDC amendments to reconcile with state
legislative amendments, correct scrivener errors, or provide consistency updates not addressed by other
suggested amendments.
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Staff Analysis:
a) Need: It is beneficial to keep UDC up to date and readable for better code administration.
b) Urgency: This proposal is not urgent considering other work occurring.
c) Appropriateness: It would be appropriate to defer a UDC housekeeping amendment.
d) DCD staff capacity and Cost: DCD recommends this proposal not be carried forward in 2024.
5. Review of Land Use and Zoning in the Jefferson County Airport Essential Public Facility(AEPF),
Particularly Airport Overlay III,Jefferson County International Airport(JCIA): Port of Port Townsend
Staff Analysis:
a) Need:The Port, Economic Development Council (EDC Team Jefferson),and County have all reported an
increase in demand or need for industrially zoned land in Jefferson County.
b) Urgency: Timing is appropriate to accommodate existing business growth and new job creation potential.
Allowing additional zoning on port-owned property, adjacent to JCIA,offers the community a path to
maintaining good-paying job growth that is needed in Jefferson County.The Port of Port Townsend stresses
that this process can't wait until the 2024 Periodic Update is completed.
c) Appropriateness:The Port owns 303 acres at JCIA, but only 22 acres are included within the county's JCIA-III
overlay, which allows for low impact, airport compatible, industrial uses.Additional areas within and
adjacent to the current AEPF District will be considered for inclusion with Airport Overlay III.
d) DCD staff capacity and anticipated DCD cost: DCD has agreed to assign this project to an on-call consultant.
The Port of Port Townsend has agreed to reimburse DCD for associated costs.
Department of Community Development Final Docket Recommendation
From the review of the preliminary docket, DCD recommends that the applications go forward to the final
docket except for proposal#4, 2024 UDC Annual Housekeeping Amendment Docket, which is currently a lower
priority. Urgent UDC amendments will be addressed in the other 2024 proposals, and other UDC work continues
as part of the 2025 Periodic Update process.
Recommendation Summary
Proposal Recommendation
1. Port Hadlock UGA CP& UDC amendments Final Docket
2. Port Townsend UGA"Swap": modification of boundary to include Final Docket
Caswell-Brown Village in exchange for farmland currently within city
3. Planning Commission Rural Housing Overlays Final Docket
4. UDC Housekeeping Amendments Do not place on Final Docket
5. Review of AEPF/Airport Overlay III,Jefferson Co. International Airport Final Docket
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