Office of the Hearing Examiner

To view a video recording of the public hearing that was held on August 29, 2023, please click here Version OptionsOffice of the Hearing ExaminerHeadline. 

NOTICE – Interested parties have additional time to submit written comments regarding Conditional Use Permit Application No. ZON2022-00152 (Type III CUP Application for the Caswell-Brown Village Emergency Shelter with Permanent Supportive Housing). See COMMENT PERIOD section below.

APPLICANT: Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP)

SITE ADDRESS AND PROJECT LOCATION: 142 Mill Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Parcel 001162001; Section 16, T 30, R 01 West, WM.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND REQUIRED PERMITS/STUDIES:

New 50-bed emergency shelter and a 40-lot park consisting of tiny shelters and recreational vehicles for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. The shelter includes permanent supportive housing, shelter beds, single room occupancies, restrooms, showers, common kitchen, living areas, reception, and offices. The 40-lot park includes commons building, mobile sanitation unit with showers and toilets, and an onsite office. Caswell-Brown Village refers to the combined shelter and 40-lot park for low-income households/individuals without secure housing and/or who are unsheltered. During weather-related emergencies, Caswell-Brown Village is designed with landscaping, lighting, and flexible space to accommodate up to 150 individuals. 

COMMENT PERIOD AND WHERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS:

The application and any studies may be reviewed at the Jefferson County Department of  Community Development (DCD) or online at: https://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/WeblinkExternal/0/fol/4745293/Row1.aspx

Note: Because some notices issued for this matter included a link to attend the online hearing that was not operational on the hearing date – but others received a functional link enabling them to attend or observe the online public hearing held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, beginning at 1:00 p.m. – the Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing, received testimony from participants, and held the record open to allow for additional written comments. The Examiner directed Staff to post a link to the recording for the public hearing, so any individuals who were unable to sign-in can watch the full hearing and submit written comments they might have regarding the pending application for a Conditional Use Permit.  

The hearing record remains open for members of the public to submit written comments. Submit written comments to DCD, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 379-4450 or by email to Brent Butler at <bbutler@co.jefferson.wa.us>. Comments concerning this application should be submitted to the Department by 4:30 PM on September 12, 2023. 

 After receipt of any additional written public comments, the applicant and Staff will have until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 to submit written response(s) to such comments.    


December 20, 2022 Update on Ricky Beach Drive Public Hearing

The public hearing for the Ricky Beach Drive County Road Vacation was held as scheduled on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. The Hearing Examiner is holding the record open in this matter for people who were unable to participate due to the snow closure. Written comments may be submitted until 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 28 2022. Please direct written comments to the attention of Colette Kostelec at ckostelec@co.jefferson.wa.us

Hearing Examiner

Jefferson County utilizes a Hearing Examiner system for quasi-judicial decisions. The Hearing Examiner is appointed by the County Commissioners and charged with the responsibility of conducting public hearings, preparing the official record thereof, preparing findings of fact and conclusions of law and issuing final decisions for certain land use and non-land use quasi-judicial decisions.

Responsibilities

The hearing examiner’s primary responsibility is to provide a fair, impartial, and independent fact-finding and decision-making service within county government. The hearing examiner has jurisdiction over a wide range of subject matter, including many types of land use applications and appeals, such as:

The Examiner stands as an impartial body to which information is presented. The procedures governing hearings before the Hearing Examiner are set forth in the Hearing Examiner Code, Chapter 2.30 Jefferson County Code and Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure.

Current Hearing Examiner Cases

Past Hearing Examiner Decisions

Public Records Request Form

Hearing Locations Jefferson County Courthouse,
First Floor Conf. Room, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 
Additional Information (360) 379-4450