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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2961-68 ,.., SMP Comment Form Which required SMP components interest you most? 0 Agriculture 0 Marinas 0 Aquaculture 0 Mining t( Beach Stairs 0 Mooring Buoys 0 Boat Ramps ~ Permit Process 0 Bulkheads & Seawalls ~. Program Administration 0 Code Enforcement a Public Access 0 Commercial Uses ~ Recreational Uses .,. Conservation ~ Residential Uses 0 Docks & Piers 0 Restoration & Enhancement 0 Dredging & Filling 0 Sign age ~ Economic Development 0 Transportation & Parking 0 Flood Management 0 Utilities 0 Forest Practices 0 Vegetation Conservation 0 HistoriclCulturaVSciencel 0 Water Quality & Quantity Education Resources 0 ALL of the ABOVE 0 Industrial Uses Ideas & Suggestions Welcome: The feedback you provide now will assist County staff and consultants that are working with citizen and agency advisors to develop a draft proposal for formal public review with the Planning Commission in late-2008. The revised SMP goals, policies, standards and regulations must uphold the community vision of our County Comprehensive Plan as well as comply with State laws, rules and pertinent legal decisions. Thanks for your interest & participationl Return this form to: SMP Comments, Jefferson DCD, 621 Sheridan S1., Port Townsend, WA'98368 Learn more and download this form online at www.co.iefferson.wa.us/commdeveloomentlShorelinePlanninQ ,. Draft SMP Comments and Recommendations By Gene Farr, Jan 21,2009 The currently proposed SMP adds too many hurdles and constraints to private property development or improvement which are not justifiable nor reasonable. The change of property designations from "Rural Residential" or "Conservancy" to the very restrictive ''Natural'' designation seems to have been proposed because there might be a chance for a landslide in areas with potential geological hazards. This is not reasonable or justified by any supporting analysis. Using the emotionally charged word "Natural", when there are no habitats or ecologically sensitive features that should be considered, creates a mind set against development. Also, changing the desigtlation of Cape George Colony shoreline property from Conservancy to the less restrictive Rural Residential while adjacent Rural Residential shoreline property in Reach FFF is proposed to be changed to the more restrictive Natural, is not cpnsistent. It would be more appropriate to have all the shoreline adjacent to property zoned as Rural Residential designated as Rural Residential Shoreline, with the requirement that the development or improvement of any property in a potentially hazardous geological zone, have a favorable report from a licensed geological expert. Adding in requirements for "Conditional Use Permits" in numerous places does not seem reasonable either. The basic requirements and constraints should be adequately defined for property developments and improvements, so that there is no possibility of arbitrary decisions. The requirement for Conditional Use Permits promotes personal and arbitrary governmental decisions as well as compounding the effort and expense of property owners in making any change to their property. The requirement for a "Conditional Use Permit" gives the State Department of Ecology the final say in any development or improvement, rather than the local planning commission. Property owners should know what is best for their property, as well as having a huge vested interest in not doing anything to harm the value of their property. Further, the County should encourage the development and improvements to property, as this adds to the value of the county tax base. The "Beach Access Structures" Section of proposed Article 7 is grossly over restrictive as it requires Conditional Use Permits for all modifications in all Shoreline Designations. This is contrary to Article 3 of the Draft SMP "Goals" where it is stated that a goal of the SMP is to "Encourage water-oriented recreational use". By being overly restrictive, property owners are encouraged to build trails, use ropes or build unapproved structures on bluffs when some approved structure would be much safer and less likely to cause erosion or ecological damage. Further, trams and cable lifts, which fly over sensitive or hazardous areas, should be encouraged. Cable Lifts and Trams should be approved without a conditional use permit, as long as an appropriate licensed professional provides a favorable analysis.