PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County commissioners overwhelmingly heard from Marrowstone Island residents during a hearing on the county’s comprehensive plan that the county should ban industrial activities in rural residential areas.
Under the Growth Management Act each county is required to review and, if needed, revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations every eight years.
Marrowstone Island residents, who were vocal about a proposed marijuana production facility before its application was denied, told the commissioners Monday night that the updated comprehensive plan should include language that prevents industrial activities in rural residential areas such as Marrowstone Island.
Carol Gonnella told the board that she supports the legalization of marijuana, but opposes industrial facilities in rural areas.
The production facility proposed for Marrowstone Island was about 10,000 square feet. Its application was denied by the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner on May 14.
“It’s about scale, it’s about nuisance, it’s about security and it’s about setting a precedent,” Gonnella said. “Jefferson County is one of the most unique, pristine and special places in the entire country.”
She said she had a petition with more than 325 signatures from people who live in rural Jefferson County who do not want “noise, smelly, polluting eyesores,” to be located near their homes.
She was among several people from Nordland who spoke against industrial facilities.
“If you were looking to buy a home and there’s this 10,000 square foot greenhouse, would you want to live next to it?” asked one Nordland resident. “If you already had the property, like I do, there’s nothing to prevent someone from coming in and putting one in.”
Cynthia Koan, chair of the Jefferson County Planning Commission, said she is proud of the work that went into the proposed comprehensive plan update.
She said the comprehensive plan reflects the values of Jefferson County. She called it ambitious and said that it will take a continued effort from the county and community.
“One of the things the planning commission have asked from the start is that anything we don’t get done in this cycle, let’s not wait eight to 10 years,” she said.
Joe D’Amico, who owns Security Services Northwest in Sequim, told commissioners he spoke to the Board of County Commissioners 20 years prior saying that he needed help with his growing business in Discovery Bay.
He said he has heard from a lot of people who moved to Jefferson County for peace and quite, but said people also need to be able to make a living.
“We have to balance for people who want to have jobs, grow up here and live here,” D’Amico said.
D’Amico speculated that one of the reasons a marijuana grow operation was proposed for a residential area is because the county lacks “the right zoning.”
Public comment on the comprehensive plan will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Written testimony can be sent by email to jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us. Commissioners will begin deliberations on the comprehensive plan at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 14.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
