Critical Areas Ordinance Update 2024


The Department of Community Development is conducting a periodic review of the County's Critical Areas Ordinance, Kitsap County Code (KCC) Title 19, as required by RCW 36.70A.130. The Critical Areas Ordinance, KCC Title 19, was last reviewed and updated in 2017. Critical Areas Ordinances must be evaluated and, if needed, revised every ten years per the schedule provided in RCW 36.70A.130. The Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) will be reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with state mandates, maintain consistency with local regulations and the Comprehensive Plan, and provide predictability and clarifications.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt regulations protecting "critical areas in order to preserve the natural environment, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water". Critical areas regulation ensures public safety by limiting development in areas prone to natural hazards like floods and landslides. The Critical Areas Ordinance will be updated with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update, with adoption planned for June 2024.

To learn more, view our online book below



Process



   Phase Schedules​



Phase One Schedule

​March 2023
​Project Kick Off Notification & Working Group Invitations
​​May 2023
​Virtual Public Participation Meeting #1
​May 2023
​Release of Best Available Science (BAS) Report
​​June 28, 2023
​​Board of County Commissioners Work Session: Best Available Science & Project Scope
​July 18, 2023
​Planning Commission Briefing & Work Session: Best Available Science & Project scope


​Phase Two Schedule

July 18, 2023

​Planning Commission Briefing & Work Session: Best Available Science & Project Scope

​July 20, 2023

​Working Group Meetings begin

​July 2023

​Community Consultation meetings with community groups as needed/requested

​August 2023

​Project presentations to County Community Advisory Committees

​Aug. - Mar. 2024

​Updates to BoCC & Planning Commission as needed (TBD)

​Aug. - Mar. 2024

County Staff preparing draft code amendments



Phase Three Schedule

​March 2024

​Draft amendments available

​March - April 2024

​Public comment period

TBD

​Planning Commission hearing(s)

TBD

BoCC Work Study & Planning Commission Findings of Fact/Decision

​TBD

​​Board of County Commissioners Hearing(s)

​June 30, 2024

Target Adoption


Tentative dates, subject to change.

Working Groups & Meeting Schedule

The CAO Update Working Groups are advisory groups only. Groups assembled to review, comment on, and make TECHNICAL recommendations related to the Critical Areas Ordinance. All recommendations developed through the Working Group will be presented to the Department of Community Development, the Kitsap County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, as the County works to draft an update to the CAO.

The five critical areas under review are wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and critical aquifer recharge areas. There are five working groups comprised of standing members and technical experts for each critical area. Standing members are representatives from local Tribes and community organizations with expertise in planning and critical areas. Technical experts are technical staff from appropriate state agencies with training and expertise in the critical area topic being discussed.

Each meeting will be virtual via Zoom and open to the public, however, public comment will not be taken during the meetings. Comments and questions regarding the working groups and/or the CAO update should be sent to codeupdates@kitsap.gov

Written summaries for previous working group meetings are provided in the table below. Details and access links for upcoming meetings will be available in the table below as dates are confirmed.  

DATE
​TOPIC
​ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
UPCOMING MEETINGS
October 10, 2023
9am-12pm
Geologically Hazardous Areas
Public access Zoom link HERE
October 31, 2023
1pm-4pm
Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
Public access Zoom link HERE
November 6, 2023
1pm-4pm
Frequently Flooded Areas
Public access Zoom link HERE
November 30, 2023
9am-12pm
​Wetlands
Public access Zoom link HERE
December 12, 2023
9am-12pm
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Areas
Public access Zoom link HERE
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
July 27, 2023 
Geologically Hazardous Areas
Written Summary
​July 27, 2023 
Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
Written Summary
July 26, 2023
​Frequently Flooded Areas
Written Summary
​July 25, 2023 
​Wetlands
Written Summary
July 20, 2023 ​
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Areas
Written Summary


​Get Involved!

  • Sign-up to receive text or email notifications, including project announcements, information about outreach events, surveys, and other public participation opportunities. Select "Kitsap County Code Update Announcement" from the list of topics.

  • Send us an email at codeupdates@kitsap.gov to let us know what you think or contact project staff.

  • Attend a meeting, listed on the right, when there are scheduled upcoming public events.

  • If you would like the CAO Update team to give a presentation to your community, please reach out to codeupdates@kitsap.gov

  • More opportunities to participate will be added throughout the process.

   Team Roles and Responsibilities


Name

Organization

Role

Responsibility

​Jeff Rimack
​Kitsap County
​DCD Director
​Program Management
​Scott Diener
​Kitsap County
​Planning Manager
​Program Management
​Mark Daniel
​Watershed Co.
​Consultant - Project Manager

​Dan Nickel
​Watershed Co.
​Consultant - Project Manager

​Colin Poff
​Kitsap County
​Planning Supervisor
​Project Management
​Kirvie Mesebeluu-Yobech
​Kitsap County
​Environmental Planning Supervisor
​Project Management
​Carla Lundgren
​Kitsap County
​Planner
​Project Lead, Public Engagement
​Jim Rogers
​Kitsap County
​Planner
​Public Engagement, Events
​Kathlene Barnhart
​Kitsap County
​Planner
​Technical Support, Current Planning
​Brittany Gordon
​Kitsap County
​Natural Resource Coordinator
​Technical Support, Environmental Programs
​Cindy Read
​Kitsap County
​Technology Analyst
​Website, Information Services














Upcoming Events

Working Group Meeting information can be found under the "Working Groups & Meeting Schedule" section.
-------------------------------------------------------------
TBD
Public Participation Meeting #2
Virtual Via Zoom
-------------------------------------------------------------
TBD
In-Person Open House
Kitsap County Administration Building
Commissioner Chambers
619 Division Street
Port Orchard

Past Events


May 17, 2023
Public Participation Meeting #1
5:30pm

Critical Area Map


CONTACT

Department of Community Development

Planning and Environmental Programs

(360) 337-5777 (Kitsap 1)

codeupdates@kitsap.gov

MAILING ADDRESS

614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Office Location 

619 Division Street
Port Orchard, Washington


STAY INFORMED


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