PORT TOWNSEND – The Jefferson County Planning Commission has asked county commissioners for more time to deliberate recommendations for changes to the critical areas ordinance.

The Planning Commission’s recommendations to the three county commissioners are due by Aug. 22.

The motion to ask for an extension, made by Chairman Peter Downey, passed Wednesday 8-1, with the lone dissenting vote by Planning Commissioner Ashley Bullitt of Port Townsend.

The Planning Commission recently received recommendations from a critical areas ordinance committee, which was formed in response to a public outcry over planned revisions to the wetlands buffer requirements last year.

Critical areas are environmentally sensitive areas.

The county ordinance regulates protection of such areas, including wetlands, from development.

Downey gave two reasons for the extension request.

State Department of Ecology officials recently contacted Kenneth Brooks – a member of the critical areas ordinance committee and author of the committee majority report – to begin conversations about establishing a voluntary stewardship program.

Voluntary stewardship would encourage landowner participation in protecting critical areas.

Also, the Planning Commission needs more time to review and deliberate committee recommendations, Downey said.

The county commissioners have an Oct. 15 deadline to decide on final revisions.