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OVERVIEW: The following links are organized in alphabetical order by issue or topic, providing a tool for locating information presented on DCD or other County webpages. You will be taken to the appropriate page or section, but you may need to scroll down to find what you seek.
Click on the table of contents bullets below to skip to that section: Page last updated: 11/14/2011
Agricultural Lands Planning - In 2003, the Unified Development Code was amended to limit exemptions to standard stream and wetland buffers for existing and ongoing agriculture to certain categories of land and the Comprehensive Plan was amended to simplify the land use designation categories for Agricultural Lands. In 2004, development regulations were established for agricultural activities and accessory uses and 220 parcels were designated as Agricultural Lands of Local Importance. See also Voluntary Stewardship Program. Airport Planning Issues - In 2004, amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code i(UDC) established two Airport Overlay Districts around the Jefferson County International Airport based on a noise contour overlay and the typical flight path of airplanes. The purpose is to protect the Airport Essential Public Facility against adjacent incompatible development and to provide notice to neighbors concerning noise generated by normal Airport operations. See also the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Annual Cycle page for information about an approved rezone request. Brinnon - Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort (MPR) - A proposal for new MPR zoning at Pleasant Harbor/Black Point that was initiated as part of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle was completed as part of the 2007 Cycle. Project-level planning continues - see also Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort below. Brinnon Subarea Plan - The County adopted the Brinnon Subarea Plan and associated Unified Development Code amendments as part of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle. The Plan was amended in 2004. Climate Change - Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend adopted the Joint Resolution on Energy Use/Global Warming in 2007, and adopted the Joint Resolution creating the Climate Action Committee in January 2008. Code Interpretations - Sometimes unique situations, inter-related issues, case law and legislative changes require DCD to issue a formal interpretation of the Unified Development Code (UDC) for better clarity and understanding. Learn more on the UDC page. Comprehensive Plan - Originally adopted in 1998 and updated in 2004, this document implements the State's 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA) to provide an overall community vision through established goals and policies. Commonly referred to as the "Comp Plan", this vision is implemented through the standards and regulations of the Jefferson County Code, which includes the Unified Development Code (UDC). Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycles - Aside from major 'Comp Plan' updates required every 7 years, minor amendments proposed by citizens, Planning Commission or County staff are considered annually.Countywide Planning Policy (CPP)- The 1992 CPP was targeted for update in 2005, but no amendments were adopted. The process for amendment involves the Joint Growth Management Steering Committee (JGMSC) described above. Critical Areas - The County adopted a revised critical areas ordinance (CAO) in March 2008 as required by the state Growth Management Act and includes criteria and standards to protect sensitive ecological areas such as wetlands, aquifers, flood areas, geological hazard areas, and fish & wildlife habitat. The CAO was further amended in May 2009 to clarify protections for channel migration zones along streams and rivers. A Critical Area Stewardship Plan (CASP) is also offered as an alternative for residential development. Also related is the Voluntary Stewardship Program below. Duckabush & Dosewallips Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan - Jefferson County is developing a flood hazard management plan for the Duckabush and Dosewallips Rivers. Expansion of Public Purpose Facilities - In October, 2010, the Jefferson County Library proposed an amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) to change the building cap limitations and impervious surface requirements, allowing non-conforming public purpose facilities to expand the use and structure. This county-wide UDC amendment is currently under review as MLA10-349. FEMA/NFIP/ESA Compliance - The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 as a way to offer an alternative to disaster assistance for properties subject to flood damage. In return for federally supported flood insurance, local governments had to agree to regulate development in their floodplains in accordance with the Program’s criteria. Since 1979, the program has been administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, while the minimum requirements of the NFIP protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community by protecting buildings from the 100-year, or 1% chance flood, the program was not intended to address other floodplain management concerns, such as fish and wildlife habitat. On September 22, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a Biological Opinion that required changes to the implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program in order to meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Puget Sound watershed. FEMA offers local jurisdictions three ways to comply with the biological assessment:
Jefferson County chose to demonstrate the current regulations comply with the biological opinion (Option 2 above). The response packet was submitted to FEMA on October 31, 2011. You may review the submittal at http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/NFIP_ESA_Response/ More information on NFIP and the ESA is located on the FEMA website at: http://www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionx/nfipesa.shtm
Floods - Flood protection information with links to the National Flood Insurance Program and other sources. Fred Hill Materials proposals in the Shine-Thorndyke area - The County established a 690-acre Mineral Resource Land (MRL) overlay in the Shine-Thorndyke area as part of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle. Applications were submitted in 2003 for mineral extraction in the Wahl area of the newly designated MRL and for a "Pit-to-Pier" proposal involving marine transportation of mineral resources from Shine Pit via Hood Canal. Glen Cove - The Glen Cove rural light industrial/commercial area boundary was revised on December 13, 2002 as part of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle. Associated UDC amendments were also adopted in conjunction with the boundary decision. For more information, visit the 2002 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle page.
Growth Management Steering Committee - See Joint Growth Management Steering Committee below. Housing Action Plan Network - The County adopted the Housing Needs Assessment & Action Plan in September 2006 as part of an affordable housing initiative. The Housing Action Plan Network is a joint City and County advisory board tasked with its implementation and monitoring. Instream Flow Rules - see Watershed Planning & Management Iron Mountain Quarry - see New Shine Quarry Joint Growth Management Steering Committee - A joint effort involving County, Irondale/Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area, City of Port Townsend, and Port of Port Townsend representatives for discussion among elected officials and the public about implementation of the state Growth Management Act (GMA) in Jefferson County, including any amendments to the Countywide Planning Policy (CPP). Low Impact Development (LID) - The term 'low impact development' or 'LID' specifically refers to alternative techniques for managing stormwater runoff, meaning rainfall/precipitation that falls on the built environment such as rooftops, pavement and other areas where the native soil and vegetation has been disturbed/altered. The goal of LID is to maximize retention of native vegetation and minimize soil disturbance (i.e. grading & filling) so that stormwater can naturally disperse and infiltrate into the ground to reduce the amount of pollution reaching local water bodies. Learn more about Stormwater Management and efforts to promote LID through the Watershed Stewardship Resource Center. Master Planned Resorts (MPRs) - The County has an existing MPR at Port Ludlow and a proposed MPR in Brinnon. Mooring Buoy Compliance - Mooring buoys in Jefferson County waters require county and state permits. Current efforts are underway to ensure all buoys are in compliance with both county and state regulations. New Shine Quarry - Previously known as Iron Mountain Quarry (IMQ) located south of Port Ludlow adjacent to the existing Shine Quarry. No Shooting Areas - The Planning Commission completed a review of existing provisions for the creation or dissolution of "no shooting areas." The BoCC is considering a follow-up recommendation from DCD and the County Administrator. Omnibus Amendment Package - A comprehensive set of amendments for the Unified Development Code (UDC) was adopted on July 10, 2006, effective July 17, 2006. Open Burning - In June 2005 Jefferson County adopted an Open Burning program for fires larger than two feet in height and three feet in diameter to provide consistency with State regulations and local fire districts. Check with the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority (ORCAA) and the Department of Natural Resources for additional fire information. Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - The County adopted a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan in 2002. Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort (MPR) - After zoning changes were completed in 2007, project-level planning continues for additional environmental analysis and for the adoption of development regulations as part of the Unified Development Code (UDC). See also Brinnon - Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort above. Port Ludlow Master Planned Resort (MPR) - The County's first MPR at Port Ludlow has its own set of growth management policies and development regulations. Updated information concerning ongoing matters of public interest is posted on the Port Ludlow MPR webpage, including access to Case Log Items & Hearing Exhibits. Public Purpose Facilities - See 'Expansion of Public Purpose Facilities' above. Seawater Intrusion - Amendments to the UDC were adopted in 2002 and 2003 in order to protect groundwater against seawater intrusion. The Growth Management Hearings Board concluded in 2004 that the County is in compliance on this issue. Sexually Oriented/Adult Businesses - In 2010, the Board of County Commissioner's instructed Staff and the Planning Commission to research and amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) to regulate the siting of sexually oriented/adult businesses within Jefferson County. The proposal is currently under review as MLA08-257 and the following documents are available: Shoreline Master Program (SMP) - The County is currently working to update its SMP and is anticipated to complete the effort well before the December 2011 legislative deadline. The process has included extensive public outreach & involvement efforts including technical and policy advisory committee participation and numerous public events. The SMP applies to qualifying lake, river and saltwater shorelines and their related uplands under jurisdiction of the State Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58). The proposed update to the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code is currently under review as MLA08-475. Signs - Initial efforts have been made to amend the development regulations which apply to signage, including political, commercial and personal signs. Stormwater Management - The 2005 State Department of Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington is currently in effect as the set of stormwater management standards for new development and re-development in Jefferson County. Also, the County began some planning efforts related to low impact development in '05/06 in collaboration with the Puget Sound Action Team and AHBL consultants. Also see Low Impact Development (LID) and Watershed Stewardship Resource Center. Underground Storage Tanks - In 2009, the Port Hadlock QFC applied for an amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) to allow underground storage tanks containing fuel or hazardous materials in Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas. The county-wide UDC amendment was approved as Ordinance 04-0809-10. Unified Development Code (UDC) Amendments - Future work is anticipated on UDC amendments such as:
Learn more on the Comp Plan and UDC Amendments page. Urban Growth Area (UGA) - According to the Growth Management Act, growth should be directed to established UGAs. Prior to the completion of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle, the only UGA in Jefferson County was the City of Port Townsend. The County established an Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundary in the Irondale & Port Hadlock area in 2002 with goals, policies, development regulations and a general sewer plan for the UGA adopted in 2004. A Growth Management Hearings Board decision issued May 31, 2005 requires that rural standards continue to apply within the UGA until urban levels of service are provided. Sewer planning is also ongoing. Visit the "Charting a Course" UGA page for documents and more information. Voluntary Stewardship Program - After four years of stakeholder discussions guided by the Ruckelshaus Center, state legislature passed ESHB 1886 to offer counties and landowners the option of using a Voluntary Stewardship Program to maintain viability of agriculture lands while protecting critical areas, such as wetlands and streams. Jefferson County must decide whether to participate by January 2012. Water Utility
Coordinating Committee - The WUCC maintains the Coordinated
Water System Plan. Watershed Stewardship Resource Center - In 2010, DCD was awarded a federal grant to help educate and assist landowners with project design and permitting to encourage low impact and sustainable development solutions to environmental regulatory requirements. See also Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Management. Watershed Planning & Management - The County is involved in planning efforts for four of the state's 62 water resource inventory areas (WRIA), including WRIAs 16, 17, 20 and 21.
More Information If you have any questions or you need assistance in locating information, please contact Long-Range Planning. Back to Long Range Planning Back to Department of Community Development (DCD)
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