PORT ANGELES — Higher zoning densities have been approved for the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area.
Clallam County commissioners Tuesday passed a series of ordinances that upzoned the 560-acre hamlet west of Sequim.
The zoning map and code amendments increase the density of Carlsborg’s residential areas from a maximum of two dwelling units per acre to a minimum of four homes per acre, Principal Planner Kevin LoPiccolo told commissioners.
The amendments increase commercial zoning along U.S. Highway 101 to encourage economic development, reduce setback requirements and remove maximum building size standards in industrial and commercial zones, he added.
A Carlsborg Village zone along Carlsborg Road north of Spath Road was consolidated into a neighborhood commercial zone to eliminate duplication of similar land uses in the town’s historic core.
The long-planned zoning update had been recommended by a 5-0 vote of the Carlsborg Community Advisory Council and a 7-0 vote of the Clallam County Planning Commission, LoPiccolo said.
Members of the Carlsborg Community Advisory Council, some of whom attended the public hearing to support the changes, had been working on the update for more than a decade.
“All of their hard work is what you’re seeing today.” LoPiccolo said.
Carlsborg’s residential zones were dived into three categories that share a four-unit-per-acre minimum density and varying maximum densities.
The new residential zones are:
• Carlsborg residential 1 — Allows 4 to 6 dwelling units per acre.
• Carlsborg residential 2 — Allows 4 to 8 homes per acre.
• Carlsborg residential 3 — Allows 4 to 10 homes per acre.
Commissioners Mark Ozias and Bill Peach voted unanimously to approve five related ordinances changing the zoning map, county code and comprehensive plan for the rezone.
Commissioner Mike Chapman was out with an excused absence.
The state Growth Management Act directs local jurisdictions to encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided efficiently, LoPiccolo said.
In 2008, a Growth Management hearings board invalidated the Carlsborg Urban Growth because it lacked adequate infrastructure.
That ruling of invalidity, which prevented Carlsborg businesses from expanding, was lifted in 2010 when the county secured funding for the sewer that is now under construction.
Meanwhile, Clallam County and the Clallam County Public Utility District are working on an interlocal agreement to provide PUD water to Carlsborg properties that aren’t now being serviced by the PUD, LoPiccolo said.
Ozias and Peach called a 10-minute recess near the end of the hearing to allow staff to make last-minute revisions to the proposed rezone to allow duplexes in Carlsborg residential 2 and 3 zones and tourist shops in commercial zones.
The changes were based on public testimony from Lisa Donaldson, whose family purchased land in Carlsborg in 1968.
Donaldson said she supported the general concept of the rezone and offered suggestions for refinements.
“I don’t think any of us have any issues with crossing I’s and changing things that grammatically are incorrect or overlooked,” said Mark Smith, chairman of the Carlsborg Community Advisory Council.
“And yes, if there’s something that’s confusing that Lisa brought up, by all means it should be looked at before it becomes permanent.”
Ozias thanked the attending members of the advisory council for their “hard work” and “involvement over the years.”
“And thanks to staff for your quick work to incorporate the comments that came up at the public hearing today,” Ozias said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
