Rural pot production examined

Jefferson County to consider amendments to its Comprehensive Plan

PORT TOWNSEND — Future marijuana production and processing on rural residential or forest resource land could be banned if the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners approves amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.

The three commissioners began discussions Monday for the annual cycle for proposed amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, including possible changes to the marijuana growth and production regulations, updates to the Port Hadlock sewer project and more.

Last year’s Comprehensive Plan cycle was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed amendments were drafted by the county Department of Community Development and were first taken up by the county Planning Commission, which held a public hearing in February and approved the four amendments, said Austin Watkins, interim planning manager, in his briefing with the commissioners Monday.

The changes to marijuana production could change the code from allowing production and processing on rural residential and forest resource land through a conditional discretionary use permit to not allowing further sites to be permitted, Watkins said.

Currently there are three sites on rural residential land and one site on forest resource land, he said.

The change would also remove cottage industry performance standards for marijuana processing. However, production does not fall under the cottage industry designation, Watkins said.

The county would still allow production and processing on rural and urban industrial-zoned lands, and production would continue on agricultural lands. Processing and retailing on agricultural land would also continue through a conditional discretionary use permit, Watkins said.

The possibility of some Brinnon residents within the Brinnon Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRD) connecting to the Dosewallips State Park sewer system is among the plan’s amendments.

The amendment establishes a policy and development regulation that provides a comprehensive policy that addresses issues and exceptions required by the state and the Growth Management Act for adding sewer connections in rural areas, LAMIRDs, sewering as an essential public facility in rural areas, and sewers to rural schools that serve both urban and rural students, Watkins said.

Specific plans on inclusion of service, improvements to the sewer and other capital planning actions will happen later, as the policy and development regulation essentially “tees up” the following work for the county to move forward, Watkins said.

The amendments regarding the Port Hadlock sewer project bring the plan up to date with the current project plans, such as adding the modular treatment plant that utilizes membrane bioreactor technology to treat wastewater that is planned for sewer, as well as a adding the six-year financing cost estimated to be $27.09 million, Watkins said.

By adding the updated information to the Comprehensive Plan, it will assist with applications for financing, board chair Kate Dean said.

The last amendment change is for a specific 22.51-acre site near Airport Cutoff Road and Romans Road, changing it from a rural residential 10 (RR10) zone to an RR5 zone, which would allow for one house to be built per 5 acres, as opposed to one house per 10 acres, Watkins said.

The commissioners will deliberate on the amendments on April 5. They’re required to make a final decision by April 30, due to the resolution they approved in October.

_______

Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on… Continue reading

Grants to help Port Angeles port upgrades

Projects, equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Joseph Molotsky holds Jet, a Harris’s hawk. Jet, 14 or 15, has been at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue for about seven years. Jet used to hunt with a falconer and was brought to the rescue after sustaining injuries while attempting to escape an attack from a gray horned owl in Eastern Washington. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wild bird rescue to host open house

Officials to showcase expanded educational facilities

Jaiden Dokken, Clallam County’s first poet laureate, will wrap up their term in March. Applications for the next poet laureate position, which will run from April 2025 to March 2027, are open until Dec. 9. To apply, visit NOLS.org/NextPoet. (North Olympic Library System)
Applications open for Clallam poet laureate

Two-year position will run from April 2025 to March 2027

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly Charity at Jim’s Pharmacy in Port Angeles.
Staff and customers raised more than $593 to support the YMCA.
Pictured, from left, are Joey Belanger, the YMCA’s vice president for operations, and Ryan French, the chief financial officer at Jim’s Pharmacy.
Charity of the month

The YMCA of Port Angeles was May recipient of Jim’s Cares Monthly… Continue reading

Festival of Trees QR code.
Contest: Vote for your favorite Festival of Trees

The Peninsula Daily News is thrilled to announce its first online Festival… Continue reading

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office uses this armored vehicle, which is mine-resistant and ambush protected. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
OPNET to buy armored vehicle

Purchase to help with various situations

Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Students at Wildcat Cafe prepare Thanksgiving dinners

Lincoln High School efforts create 80 meals ready to eat

D
Peninsula Home Fund celebrates 35 years

New partnership will focus on grants to nonprofits

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive just each of the intersection with Hill Street on Monday. City of Port Angeles crews responded and restored power quickly. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Downed trees

A mud slide brought trees down onto power lines on Marine Drive… Continue reading

Photographers John Gussman, left, and Becky Stinnett contributed their work to Clallam Transit System’s four wrapped buses that feature wildlife and landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. The project was created to promote tourism and celebrate the beauty of the area. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Iconic Peninsula images wrap Clallam Transit buses

Photographers’ scenes encompass community pride

Housing identified as a top priority

Childcare infrastructure another Clallam concern