HomeMy WebLinkAbout040726 City Council Proposes Counteroffer to Comprehensive Plan Appeal Settlement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 John Mauro, City Manager
jmauro@cityofpt.us, (360) 379-5043
CITY COUNCIL PROPOSES COUNTEROFFER TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPEAL SETTLEMENT
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PORT TOWNSEND On March 18, 2026, the City of Port Townsend was offered a settlement by
Affordable Hometown Port Townsend (AHPT) in reference to their previously
filed Petition for Review (appeal) of Comprehensive Plan to the Growth Management Hearings
Board (GMHB).
On Monday, April 6, City Council discussed the settlement offer and voted to respond to AHPT by
rejecting their settlement offer and proposing a counteroffer. The settlement offer from AHPT is linked
below for reference. To providing predictability,
the City Council proposed that staff prepare a counteroffer focusing on:
Potential Land Capacity Analysis. This may include revised income banding
or additional adequate provisions (e.g., Inclusionary Zoning Programs, as appropriate).
Performing an Inclusionary Zoning study based on the Port Townsend market
and identifying funding sources for needed affordable housing units.
Performing a Landlord Tenant protection study focusing on further anti-displacement
measures based on the Port Townsend market.
Continuing an open and public process with significant community involvement on the work of
affordable housing instead of a closed record judicial process.
Within AHPTsettlement offer of proposed actions, the City will not agree to the following:
A moratorium or stay of Port Townsend Municipal Code Table 17.16.030 and upzone changes.
The Port Townsend Municipal Code has allowed sixplexes since 2023 by permitting conversions
of existing homes into fourplexes with two attached Accessory Dwelling Units. Enacting a
moratorium would reverse these longstanding, appeal- protected- allowances. It would also
prevent previously nonconforming structures from becoming compliant, undermining housing
goals and fire/life/safety improvements.
A new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is based solely on this appeal. T
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance was not challenged by AHPT (threshold
determination of non-significance meaning no EIS was required) and the City commits
to complying with SEPA on all further actions. A new EIS is a lengthy process, costing significant
public resources and delaying work on affordable housing.
John Watts, one of four appellants and involved with AHPT, made public comment at the meeting and
referenced the settlement letter stating
resolution with the City that will eliminate the need for further litigation. AHPT supports greater density,
if combined with guarantees that some new units will in fact be affordable for middle and lower
Inclusionary Zoning is a topic of particular interest in the community and is referenced by AHPT in their
appeal. A future Inclusionary Zoning study must occur through an open public process rather than
through an appeal and settlement that occurs without due public engagement and process. In order to
identify funding sources for the affordable housing deficiency, all tools including Inclusionary Zoning
need to be evaluated. The 2026 budget, adopted by City Council in November 2025, includes an
the pros and cons of such
policies like Inclusionary Zoning.
encouraging to hear last night that Affordable Hometown Port Townsend believes, consistent with
ongoing City Council direction-setting, that we must make progress on density and affordability. There is
housing, will keep us from working together on making progress on solving our housing crisis. It takes a
co
appreciate the community support and interest in moving forward collaboratively and productively in an
from City Council on a counteroffer can unlock our
common ground so we can join forces and accelerate our efforts.
Zoning reform, which the City has worked on since 2023 Tactical Infill up to and through the adoption
of the Comprehensive Plan in December 2025, is the foundation of affordability. The 2026 workplan also
Tax Exemption program, and exploring other affordable housing incentive strategy implementation. This
from implementation of these programmed strategic projects advancing housing affordability, many of
which are described in the Affordable Housing a
Planning and Community Development Director, Emma Bolin.
would set us back with two to three years of process and stop us from getting material action on
affordable housing in this community. There is a significant subsidy needed to actually address
If the appeal continues to a hearing at the GMHB, the Board will issue a final decision and order on
August 19, 2026. The final decision and order will find the compliant
or non-compliant with the Growth Management Act.
Comprehensive Plan and implementing development regulations remain in effect and are presumed to
be valid.
# # #
For questions about the Growth Management Hearings Board, please see the Growth Management
Hearings Board website and January 2026 version of the Growth Management Hearings
Board Handbook.
Access the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Update webpage.
Access the 2025 Periodic Review project website, including links to the adopted plan,
development regulations, appendices, and related documents created during the planning process.
Access the Petition for Review and settlement offer submitted by Affordable Hometown Port Townsend.