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09/26/22 09 AM: Public Voices Legal Lot Ordinance Concerns at Commissioners Meeting

Public Voices Legal Lot Ordinance Concerns at Commissioners Meeting

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on Legal Lot of Record Ordinance via comments and hearing, approved consent agenda including CBAs and extensions, proclaimed Community Planning Month, received COVID/flu update, and postponed PROS Plan hearing.

Public Comments on Legal Lot of Record Ordinance

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:03:55–00:18:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, permits

Summary

Public comments focused primarily on concerns with the draft legal lot of record ordinance scheduled for hearing later in the meeting. Speakers raised issues about impacts on small parcel owners, accessibility of draft materials, potential gentrification effects, mapping inaccuracies affecting buildability, and requests for clarity on property rights. Commissioners responded by noting the hearing later that day would allow formal record entry and encouraged review of DCD responses to questions.

Key Discussion Points

  • Liz Coker (Jefferson County Home Builders Association): Expressed concern that the draft affects ~1,900 parcels/9,000 households (~10% of population), potentially preventing family transfers or sales of small parcels amid economic pressures; requested protections for reasonable economic use.
  • Alison Lewis (Brinnon resident): Recent purchaser of 1/3-acre lot described draft as hard to access/read, fearing gentrification and displacement; suggested county invest in sewer infrastructure instead.
  • Roger George (Brinnon area landowner): Cited inaccuracies in county wetland maps preventing development on 40-acre parcel despite prior approvals; raised concerns on drainage districts, salmon habitat, and Land Trust priorities.
  • Steven (Zoom): Raised unrelated concerns on COVID vaccine promotion/efficacy.
  • Jean Ball (Zoom): Supported sheriff's deputies post-incident.
  • Commissioners: Noted hearing comments enter record only during hearing; DCD responses to questions added to agenda packet; committed to balancing property rights/environmental protection.

Public Comments

  • Liz Coker/Jefferson County Home Builders Association: Ordinance too broad, impacts 10% population; protect small parcel divisions for families/economic needs.
  • Alison Lewis/Brinnon resident: Draft promotes gentrification; prioritize sewer over restrictions.
  • Roger George/Brinnon landowner: Mapping errors block development; test salmon improvements.
  • Steven/Zoom: Vaccine concerns (unrelated).
  • Jean Ball/Zoom: Law enforcement support (unrelated).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced during comments.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Comments noted; formal hearing scheduled for 11:00 (PART 1, ~01:51:55).
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:33–00:30:04 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, contracts, budgeting

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Major items included ratification of Central Services CBA with Teamsters Local 589 (retroactive 2021-2023, wage/step adjustments), HCRPIC Phase IV extension (3 months to Dec 2022, rebate max to $500/OSS), Conservation Futures Committee appointments, and Community Planning Month proclamation.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Noted Central Services CBA completion after 21 months post-expiration; goal to wrap CBAs pre-expiration.
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Central Services CBA: Retroactive wages (9% 2021, step restructure 2022), health/welfare (85/15 split), longevity/vacation enhancements; total funding stable.
  • HCRPIC Amendment #3: Extends to Dec 31, 2022; rebate max $500/OSS; $20,500 total (EPA/DOH-funded); no budget change.
  • Board diverged from none; approved as presented.

Financials

  • CBA: 9% retro 2021 wages (lump sum); 2022 step changes (top pay +2.5%); longevity increases (e.g., 5yrs $600); health 85% employer.
  • HCRPIC: $20,500 total unchanged; rebates $5,200 (max $500/OSS vs prior $350).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented today."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

Community Planning Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:30:11–00:37:16 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, operations

Summary

The Board proclaimed October 2022 as Community Planning Month, recognizing planners' role in managing growth, protecting environment/services, and involving residents. Staff (Josh Peters, Brent Butler) presented; Commissioners read proclamation, quoted planners (Daniel Burnham, Benjamin Franklin), and praised DCD/planning volunteers.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters/Brent Butler: Highlighted planning quotes; tied to day's land use discussions.
  • Commissioners: Emphasized balancing individual freedoms/community values; appreciated DCD efforts.
  • Limited discussion; ceremonial.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text: Celebrates planning's value; recognizes Jefferson County planners/staff/volunteers.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Corrected proclamation date to September 26, 2022.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the proclamation as read with the one adjustment of correcting the dates."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

COVID-19, MPV, and Flu Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:09–01:21:03 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Health Officer Dr. Allison Barry provided update: Jefferson County cases flat at 370/100k (9.8% positivity, 2 hospitalized); bivalent boosters available (2-4 months post-infection/vax); MPV low (4 WA cases); flu season approaching (vaccinate/mask/stay home). Q&A covered testing availability, isolation (10-20 days), boosters/mixing, herd immunity. Clinics ongoing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Barry: National cases down; local flat; prioritize boosters; free tests fading; polio in NY wastewater (vaccinate).
  • Commissioners: Flu mitigations, testing costs/expiration, paid leave program, isolation for immunocompromised.
  • Emphasized individual choice on vaccines.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; no action.
  • No next steps specified.

Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROS) Plan Public Hearing Postponement

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:25:18–01:29:44 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, parks

Summary

Scheduled 10:30 hearing to adopt 2022 PROS Plan cancelled as agenda lacked direct link to materials (only on parks site). Board rescheduled to Oct 10 at 10:30 after confirming notice publication (Leader by noon, papers Wed/Fri).

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton: Public needs easy access; original notice lacked link.
  • Staff confirmed plan on county/parks sites; no issue delaying for better notice.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

2022 PROS Plan available on county parks site; JCPRAB recommended Aug 4.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Cancel hearing; reschedule Oct 10, 10:30; approve updated notice.
  • Vote: Consensus (unanimous agreement).
  • Next Steps: Publish notice in Leader (by noon), PT Leader/Leader (Sep 28/Oct 5).

Legal Lot of Record Ordinance Public Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:51:18–05:21:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, permits, planning, ordinances

Summary

DCD presented draft ordinance amending UDC (new Ch. 18.12, Site Dev. Review); requires legal lot determination pre-development permit. Public testimony (15 speakers) urged moratorium extension, better outreach, simplified process; concerns on housing, burdens. Board responded; closed testimony; deliberations ongoing (continue next week?). Staff FAQ addressed questions.

Key Discussion Points

  • DCD (Butler/Peters/Benjamin): Responds to moratorium; ensures legal lots/buildability; exceptions/REU process; survey prioritized water quality/critical areas.
  • Public: Extend moratorium (notification insufficient); burdens/process length; housing crisis; climate/flooding.
  • Commissioners: Outreach sufficient; supports process efficiency; housing via UGAs; no moratorium extension.

Public Comments

  • Alison Lewis/Brinnon: Extend moratorium 60 days; poor outreach.
  • Tom Thiersch/PT: Poor links/timing; opposes "minimization"; title cloud.
  • Jim Fox/PT realtor: Supports infill like Cape George for housing.
  • Terry Smith/PT realtor: Adds paperwork; housing shortage.
  • Sally Ellis/PT consultant: Extend; notify builders/contractors.
  • Shelley Yarnell/Brinnon: Extend; HOA unaware.
  • Liz Coker/PT: Appreciates FAQ; Q on pre-1969 transfers.
  • Suzanne Stoll/Vernon: Process onerous; unclear changes.
  • Kevin Coker/PT: Process ok but staff capacity issue.
  • Frank Hoffman: Context on housing emergency.
  • Bob Heinith/Discovery Bay: Address climate/infrastructure.
  • Amanda Grace/D2: Extend hearing; simplify.
  • Paula Mallory/Brinnon: Lot uncertainty delays housing.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Staff FAQ/packet (outreach plan, AG opinions, peer counties, survey: water quality top priority).
  • Survey: 113 responses/1,960 postcards (5.6%); no statistical representation.
  • No divergence from staff recs noted.

Financials

New fees for processes (per fee schedule); no fiscal impact specified.

Alternatives & Amendments

Staff recs: Waive pre-app conf for single-lot REU; clerical fixes; general env. health ref; effective Oct 4.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Hearing closed; deliberations continue (DCD revise for next week).
  • No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: Continue hearing/deliberate next week; no moratorium extension.

Background Materials

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