HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORKSHOP and HEARING NOTICE re Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code - 111824 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST—Afternoon Session
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Josh D. Peters,AICP,Director,Community Development
Joel M. Peterson,Associate Planner,Community Development
DATE: November 18,2024
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP re: 2024 Annual Amendments to Comprehensive Plan and Unified
Development Code; &Approval of Hearing Notice for a Public Hearing on December
9,2024 at 11:00 a.m.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
On May 13, 2024,the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) set the Final Docket for the 2024
Comprehensive Plan(CP)and Unified Development Code(UDC) Annual Amendment Cycle pursuant to
JCC 18.45.080. Subsequently, the Jefferson County Planning Commission completed its review of the
amendment proposals, including a public hearing on September 18, 2024, and deliberating on the record in
the same meeting.
Community Development's analysis of the 2024 proposals is presented in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan
Amendment Docket, Combined Staff Report and SEPA Addendum, September 4, 2024; and in the 2024
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket SUPPLEMENTAL Staff Report and SEPA Addendum, October 10,
2024. Modifications to Proposed Amendments 2 and 4 created a need for focused evaluation of those
changes and further documentation in the supplemental staff recommendations.
The Planning Commission deliberated on public comment and the record after the September 18, 2024
hearing, and recommended approval of the four amendment proposals. The Planning Commission met on
October 16,2024, and after review of the October 10, 2024 Supplemental Staff Report and SEPA
Addendum,the Planning Commission reconfirmed their September 18, 2024 recommended approval of all
2024 amendment proposals.
The Planning Commission recommendations to the BoCC are found in the attached Jefferson County
Planning Commission's Report and Recommendation for the Final 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Docket, dated November 6, 2024. This Planning Commission recommendation letter provides additional
detail regarding the Planning Commission process that occurred. The planning Commission, as well as
Community Development, recommends approval of all four proposals. The Planning Commission also
recommends that the Board hold their own public hearing.
Proposed Amendments to as originally submitted:
I.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.
Modifications made to the proposals during the public process:
Proposal 2, Port Townsend UGA Boundary Amendment
Original Proposed Amendment 2: UGA Comprehensive Plan& UDC Amendments to Amend the Port
Townsend Urban Growth Area, Swapping Farm Land with Caswell-Brown Village and Adjacent
Properties.
Modified Proposed Amendment 2:Proposal to expand the Port Townsend Urban Growth Area (UGA)
boundary to include publicly-owned parcels for public purpose use, including the Caswell-
Brown Village for housing services. "
The process of land swaps between non-urban land in a UGA and urban land outside of a UGA results from
a legislative amendment to the Growth Management Act(GMA),codified at RCW 36.70A.110. This
process was being proposed as a way to expand the UGA boundary to include Caswell-Brown Village. This
process did not come to fruition between a prospective landowner, County and City. Proposal 2 was
modified by County and City to pursue the alternative of expanding the UGA boundary directly to include
public purpose land and Caswell-Brown Village.
Proposal 4, Expansion of Airport Essential Public Facility (AEPF)by 12 Acres and Expansion of Airport
Overlay III within the AEPF
The AEPF is currently ca. 316 acres. The Port of Port Townsend proposes to expand the AEPF by 12 acres
by adding two 6-acre parcels (APN 001332013 and APN 001332017)to the southwest boundary (Figure 3),
as well as expand the existing 24-acre Airport Overlay III within the resulting AEPF zone from 24 acres to
ca. 73.5 acres total. There are two distinct portions to the expanded overlay: 1)a 6.5-acre area in the
northeast corner of the AEPF, north of Airport Road, and 2)the main overlay area south of the FAA
building restriction line(boundary of Airport Overlay I).
Modifications to original Proposal 4 includes refinement of the proposed expansion area of the Overlay III
zone to include only properties that the Port of Port Townsend owns, and removing a parcel used as access
from the proposed Overlay III expansion. The revised map is evaluated in the supplemental staff report.
ANALYSIS:
The Staff Report and Supplementary Staff Report analyzes modifications and refinements to the original
proposals.
The Planning Commission's recommendation for the Board to hold their own public hearing was to ensure
adequate public comment on the modified proposals.
The recommendation to hold a public hearing is appropriate. JCC 18.45.080(2)(d) specifies that final action
on the docket must be taken by the second regular board meeting in December of each year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No significant fiscal impact from the decision to hold a public hearing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Hold workshop with Community Development on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan& UDC Amendments and
consider a motion to hold a public hearing on December 9, 2024.
REVIEWED BY:
• ///6/2
Mark McCauley, C h' Administrator Date
Please publish 2 times: November 27 and December 4, 2024
Contact Person: Chelsea Pronovost
Bill to: Community Development
621 Sheridan St.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2024 Annual Amendments to Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY,December 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers,
County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said
hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
Before final legislative action,the Board of County Commissioners will hold a hearing for public
testimony on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan(CP) and Unified Development Code(UDC)Annual
Amendment Cycle, which has been in process since March, 2024, following provisions of chapter
18.45 JCC. Four amendment proposals are under consideration: 1) amendments addressing sewer
implementation and land development in the Irondale and Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area;
2) amendment of the Port Townsend Urban Growth Area boundary to include Caswell-Brown
Village for future sewer service; 3) amendments pertaining to rural residential development; and
4)amendment to expand Jefferson County International Airport Essential Public Facility (AEPF)
by 12 acres and expanding AEPF Overlay III zone for light industrial/manufacturing from 24
acres to approximately 73.5 acres.
The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.cojefferson.wa.us
and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password is: public)-Board of
Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2024 Weekly Agenda Items— 12 December 2024- 120924—
HEARING re 2024 Amendment Docket
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 11:00 a.m.
using the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link:
https://zoom.us/j/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-
1705# and press *9 to "raise your hand"to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384, or IN-PERSON
In addition,written testimony is also invited beginning on November 27,2024 and ending on December
9, 2024 at the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners.
Written public testimony may be submitted by Email to:jeffbocc@cojefferson.wa.us You may view
documents and testimony received by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and following this pathway—
Services—Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public)—Board of Commissioners—
BOCC Agenda Packets—2024 Weekly Agenda Items— 12 December 2024— 120924—HEARING re
2024 Amendment Docket
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by
the end of the hearing testimony period.
Signed this 18th day of November, 2024.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/S/Kate Dean, Chair
0.gON JEFFERSON COUNTY
� PLANNING COMMISSION
621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-4450 I email: PlanComm@co.jefferson.wa.us
9s�+i NGKO www.co.jefferson.wa.us/580/Planning-Commission
TO: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
FROM: Jefferson County Planning Commission
DATE: November 06, 2024
SUBJECT: Jefferson County Planning Commission's Report and Recommendation for the
Final 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket
The Jefferson County Planning Commission has conducted its review of and deliberation with recommendations
on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket and submits this report with recommendations to the
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.
On March 20, 2024,the Planning Commission received the Department of Community Development's staff
report on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposals received. No site-specific amendment proposals
were received for the 2024 amendment cycle.
On April 17, 2024,the Planning Commission reviewed the proposals on the preliminary docket with staff,
including a new proposal by the Port of Port Townsend regarding expansion of Airport Overlay Ill.
On May 1, 2024 the Planning Commission 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 Ill proposal, and verbal testimony included two comments in favor of the DCD docket evaluation
and recommendations.
On July 17, 2024 staff provided the Planning Commission with a brief update and synopsis of the 2024
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.
On August 14, 2024 staff and the Planning Commission conducted a review and discussion of the 2024
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket, Unified Development Code changes, and the 2025 Periodic Review.
On September 4, 2024 staff and the Planning Commission reviewed the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Docket in preparation for the September 18th hearing and deliberation on the record.
On September 18, 2024 the Planning Commission held a public hearing. On the same day,the Planning
Commission deliberated and recommended approval of all 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposals.
The recommendation is to approve all four proposals,with staff recommendations and as depicted in the
September 4, 2024 Combined Staff Report and SEPA Addendum,also recommending the Jefferson County Board
of Commissioners to conduct their own public hearing on the amendment docket.
On October 16, 2024, after review of the October 10, 2024 Supplemental Staff Report and SEPA Addendum,the
Planning Commission reconfirmed their September 18, 2024 recommended approval of all 2024 amendment
proposals. Modifications to Proposed Amendments 2 and 4 created a need for focused evaluation of those
changes and further documentation in the October 10, 2024 Supplemental Staff Report and SEPA Addendum.
Jefferson County Planning Commission Recommendations on Final Docket
2024 Comprehensive Plan&Unified Development Code Annual Amendment Cycle
Modifications include:
Proposed Amendment 2:There were optional paths to include Caswell-Brown Village in an Urban Growth Area
(UGA) in order to provide appropriate services to the project: an UGA land swap following recent GMA
provisions of RCW 36.70A.110,or extension of the Port Townsend UGA boundary. The UGA land swap did not
come to fruition. The October 10, 2024 Supplemental Staff Report and SEPA Addendum provides additional
findings supporting the extension of the Port Townsend UGA boundary.
Proposed Amendment 4: The proposed extent of Airport Essential Public Facility("AEPF")Overlay Ill has been
reduced to include only property owned by the Port of Port Townsend, and some text amendments that appear
in the Staff Report have been supplemented or clarified. Generally,the AEPF is expanded by the addition of two
6-acre parcels, and the AEPF Airport Overlay Ill is expanded by those specific areas in the AEPF which are south
of, and outside of,the FAA building restriction line, and an approximately 6.5-acre area in the northeast of the
AEPF. The Airport Overlay Ill consists of parcels,or portions of parcels, currently owned by the Port of Port
Townsend within the AEPF.The requirement for a Binding Site Plan ("BSP") process is replaced with a
requirement to meet all development regulations, recognizing that a BSP may not be applicable in all
circumstances. As the Airport Overlay Ill is further developed, a unifying plan for the overlay area will be
accomplished.The access from Four Corners Road, parcel APN 001334004, is not being added to the AEPF.
For clarity, the Planning Commission's recommendation on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket
includes staff analysis and recommendations as well as a recommendation for the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioner to hold their own public hearing on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.This
recommendation of an additional public hearing is born from the Planning Commission's concern over adequate
public involvement and comment in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket process.
We submit to you the following recommendation regarding approval of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan
Amendment Docket:To approve all four proposals, with staff recommendations and as depicted in the
September 4, 2024 Combined Staff Report and SEPA Addendum and the October 10, 2024 Supplemental Staff
Report and SEPA Addendum, also recommending the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners to conduct their
own public hearing on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.
September 18,2024 Planning Commission actions:
• Proposed Amendment 1: Koan/2nd Richert=8 in favor—Motion passes
• Proposed Amendment 2:Schultz/2nd Richert=7 in favor/ 1 abstention—Motion passes
• Proposed Amendment 3:Coker/2nd Richert= 8 in favor—Motion passes
• Proposed Amendment 4: Richert/2nd Coker= 7 in favor/ 1 against—Motion Passes
• Motion (Richert- 2nd Coker)to approve 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket with staff
recommendations and approval conditioned to require a Board of Commissioners public hearing=7 in
favor/1 against—Motion Passes
Thank you for your consideration.
---elt--e0—/ /fa I
Richard Hull, Chair Date
2