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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2005
Contact: PJ Callahan, Board of County Commissioner's Office
Phone: 360-337-4481
No. 05-20
Commissioners Repeal
Rural Wooded Incentive Program
PORT ORCHARD, WA—The
Kitsap Board of County Commissioners have adopted an ordinance repealing
portions of the Rural Wooded Incentive Program (Ordinance #311-2003). The
board’s action retracts rural wooded policies adopted in December 2003, in
order to comply with a Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearing Board’s
(CPSGMHB) final decision and order rendered in October 2005.
“At
the heart of the matter is the desire of people who might want to live in a
rural area and enjoy country life,” stated Commissioner Jan Angel. “I am
extremely concerned when the Growth Management Hearing Board denies our
request for an extension to complete this work.”
In
2003, Kitsap County amended the zoning laws to allow for “clustering” for
residences in rural areas would add flexibility to the use of the land and
planning processes. In August 2004, the Washington State Growth Management
Hearings Board ruled on several elements to Kitsap County’s 2003
Comprehensive Plan amendments, including the Rural Wooded Clustering
Incentive Program. At that time, the commissioners believed that the Rural
Wooded Clustering Incentive Program was an appropriate program for Kitsap
County, but acknowledged the hearings board’s findings that it needed more
work. Specifically, the program needed more defined parameters and more
clarity. In addition, the hearings board also noted that the program did not
outline requirements to adopt development regulations at the same time as
the policy was put in place, and it ordered the county to take action by
August 2005. The county asked for an extension from the hearing board to
complete the program; however, the request was denied in October.
Commissioner Patty Lent noted that there are currently no specific projects
underway that will be impacted by the repeal. “It is regrettable that we
must take this course of action at this time; however, we committed to
continuing work on this program in conjunction with our 10-year
Comprehensive Plan update and using the information compiled over the past
decade to develop a rural wooded clustering program that fully complies with
the CPSGMHB’s decision.”
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