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Home My WebLink About2961-179 G rnft wJ) Go(\\~ Z-t1 it J @ ~f>j ~~ 'fOCI,! Jefferson County Department of Community Development SMP Comments 621 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, Washington 98368 Attention: Michelle McConnell, Associate Planner Re: Draft SMP Proposal The introduction of the proposed regulations states that the County realizes a need for balance between shoreline regulations and private property rights. We believe that the proposed regulations do not come anywhere near achieving that balance. We wish to particularly protest what we view as overly restrictive and unnecessary provisions regarding set backs and beach access. The 160 foot building setback requirement is truly a one size fits all! Degree of stability certainly varies with individual bluff height and geologic conditions. For instance, our bluff is 40 to 50 feet high, is completely covered with vegetation, and has had almost no erosion these thirty-six years of our ownership. Yet we are put in the same category as, for instance, a hundred foot eroding cliff. Because of the shape of our one acre + lot, should our home burn to the ground we could not possibly meet a 160 foot set back for a new structure. To deny us the right to rebuild is grossly unfair! To deny new permit applications because of set back requirements regardless of individual site conditions is also grossly unfair! This ill advised setback provision would seriously and adversely affect values and future saleability of affected properties! The requirement of no more than one beach access stairway for each 300 feet of frontage would unfairly deny individual land owners safe and reasonable use of their properties. To infer that neighbors should or would allow access through their properties is unrealistic and unreasonable. There are existing requirements and design standards which safeguard bank stability. A land owner with suitable bank does have the right to full use of his property with an individual beach access. To rule otherwise, we believe, is an unnecessary and arbitrary taking. JAN 2 8 2009 Sincerely, ~ \~~~ ; . as . N'eav& I . Dolores M. Neal 8"')' ~c/rt:7/?~ 8eh Dr.. P-I- - /~/7~eP1 rI ~ 9Ff6?