HomeMy WebLinkAbout2320 Amending the Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master ProgramORDINANCE 2320
AN ORDINANCE pertaining to shoreline management, amending
the Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master
Program and providing an effective date therefor.
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend finds as follows:
In 1990, the City Council adopted the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Plan (UWP) to
protect the cultural, historic, aesthetic, and environmental quality of the City's
waterfront. Although the plan and its implementing ordinances provide design guidelines
and a special height overlay, it does not include development policies for waterfront
residential or transient accommodation uses. Waterfront residential development is
reviewed for consistency under the policies and performance standards of the Jefferson
County-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master Program (SMP). It is necessary
and desirable to augment the plan by amending the SMP with respect to permitted and
conditional uses.
The current SMP contains inconsistent provisions regarding whether residential
development requires a conditional use permit in order to be developed in the Port
Townsend Urban Waterfront Special District shoreline environment. It is necessary to
correct these inconsistencies.
The Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Advisory Commission has requested
the City Council to begin a public process that would determine if the SMP should be
amended to address the inconsistencies between the SMP and UWP.
In 1988, Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend reached a settlement with the
Washington State Department of Ecology on the appeal concerning the proposed Union
Wharf redevelopment project. One condition of that appeal was to adopt certain
amendments to the SMP which specifically authorized the Union Wharf project. Now,
as that the project proponents have failed to proceed and the permits have expired, the
special amendments made then appear inappropriate. Thus, these amendments should
be revised.
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
10.
A 1990 study by the Jefferson County Economic Development Council, "A Survey of
the Economic Impacts of the Marine Trades Industry in Jefferson County," documents
that the marine trades industry in Jefferson County is a major component of the local
economy. There is a direct connection between commercial vessel storage and repair
facilities and the need for preserving shoreline properties for water-dependent uses in
order to maintain a strong marine trades economy. Properties in the Port Townsend
Urban Waterfront Special District that are particularly well suited for these uses are the
Boat Haven Marina and Point Hudson Marina Districts.
The Port Townsend School District has recently received a $400,000 federal grant to
fund a Magnet Training Center. The purpose of the Center is to integrate schools and
the business community in a partnership in vocational training. A primary target of the
Center is to provide vocational training for high school students interested in working in
the marine trades. The Center will also provide classes and additional training for
marine trade employees.
A 1992 report prepared for the Port of Port Townsend evaluates the feasibility of
increasing the capacity of marine haulout facilities at the Boat Haven port property.
Enhanced haulout facilities will allow existing and new marine trade businesses to service
a class of vessels that will constitute new clients, which could allow Port Townsend firms
to service over 96 % of the commercial and recreational fleet based on the west coast.
The report states that "this activity will create between 70 and 97 new jobs. Marine
trades employment is especially important to the community as it has one of the highest
average annual wages per employee of all economic sectors."
A statistically validated 1991 Citizen survey undertaken in 1991 by the Port Townsend
Main Street Project found that the uses citizen respondents felt were most appropriate for
the Port Townsend commercial waterfront include: open space (86%), boat repair (85 %),
boat building (84%), other marine related uses (84%), restaurants (76%) and festivals
(72%). Uses respondents felt were not appropriate for the waterfront included R.V.
parks (81%), condominiums (74%), and apartments (72%).
Public testimony on recent shoreline permits have indicated public concern about the loss
of traditional shoreline uses. Many of these uses are essential to the traditional fishing
and boat building/repair businesses which continue to be a mainstay of our local
economy. These uses, which must be on the shoreline to survive, are often
displaced by the economic pressures of tourist facilities and residential
developments. The current SMP fails to address this concern and actually favors
residential uses over some water-oriented uses.
The current SMP fails to recognize certain District's unique suitability to accommodate
preferred uses such as water-dependent and water-related uses, while other districts could
further increase water-enjoyment uses. Therefore, the SMP should provide for
2
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
preservation of future opportunities for uses which require a waterfront location, uses
which might otherwise be lost to shoreline development for other uses.
11.
The Commercial Historic District, however, has very few water-dependent uses today.
In this area, permitting non-water dependent uses appears appropriate and may further
promote renovation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings in the District, thereby
economically assisting historic preservation and improved public safety though seismic
strengthening projects in these buildings.
12.
The Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58.020.7) states in part that, "uses shall be
preferred which are consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the
natural environment, or are unique to or dependent upon use of the state's
shoreline...shall be given priority for single family residences, ports, shoreline
recreational uses including but not limited to parks, marinas, piers, and other
improvements facilitating public access to the shorelines of the state, industrial and
commercial developments which are particularly dependent on their location on or use
of the shorelines of the state and other development that will provide an opportunity for
substantial numbers of the people to enjoy the shorelines of the state."
13.
Administrative rules implementing the Shoreline Management Act (WAC 173-16-040-(4))
states that, "Because shorelines suitable for urban uses are a limited resource, emphasis
should be given to development within already developed areas and particularly to water-
dependent industrial and commercial uses requiring frontage on navigable waters." The
proposed amendment recognizes the unique suitability of certain areas to accommodate
preferred shoreline water dependent or related uses while also encouraging a broad range
of urban uses, such as commercial and transient uses in the Historic Commercial District.
14.
The proposed amendments are designed to meet the Department of Ecology's suggestions
for preparing Master Program revisions for mixed use projects. As stated in Ecology's
Shoreline Management Guid~b00k (1990), "Mixed use developments can be a tool for
achieving increased water-dependent activities, civic revitalization and public access on
the shoreline."
Now, Therefore, the Port Townsend City Council ordains as follows:
Section 1, Subsection 4.105, "Urban," of the Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline
Master Program (SMP) is hereby amended to read as follows:
Definition
The urban environment is an area of high intensity land use, including residential, commercial,
and industrial development. Urban shorelines should be designated for high intensity uses. o~
3
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
-'"': t~-:' ..... :'~-':"' '~ .... ' ...... The urban designation may also be applied to areas of
lower intensity use where the surrounding land use is urban and urban services are available.
Section 2. Subsection 4.106, "Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Special District,"
Shoreline Master Program is hereby amended to read as follows:
4.106
PORT TOWNSEND URBAN WATERFRONT SPECIAL DISTRICT
Def'mition
Within the urban shoreline environment is the Special District designation of the Port Townsend
Urban Waterfront. This district encompasses and includes ,u
e.^.,:_~ s a_:_,-.. ,_~, the Port of Port Townsend vroverties at Point Hudson. includim, that
portion fronting Admiralty_ Inlet. and follows the waterfront along Port Townsend Bay to and
including the Port of Port Townsend properties at the Boat Haven. and extending to the western
edge of the Urban weflamJ District. The zone is the most intensely developed waterfront area
in the city and includes two major marinas, water dependent and related commercial and
industrial uses, as well as the Water Street Historic District.
In addition to the policies and standards that follow, the Special District is subject to the policies
and standards contained in the urban shoreline environment (Subsection 4.105). If the provisions
of this Subsection are specifically inconsistent with any other provisions of this program, the
provisions of this Subsection will apply.
Townsend Urban Waterfront Plan (UWP) describes the district in greater detail and is
inco _rporated herein by reference. The UWP delineates the district into eight subdistricts from
southwest to northeast:
5.
6.
7.
8.
Urban Wetland District
Boat Haven Marine District
Regional Service Commercial District
Bluff Narrows Commercial District
Ferry. Retail District
Historic Commercial District
Civic District
Point Hudson Marina District
The boundaries of these subdistricts are described by the map appended hereto as "Appendix C."
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
The Historic Commercial District is the urban commercial core of the community and is
dominated by activities and businesses that are not dependent on a waterfront location.
However. water-related and water-en_ioyment activities do exist in the form of parks, restaurants.
~trCC~-en{l beaches, and piers that afford an opportunity to enjoy the town's shoreline amenity.
Existing develop_ ment in the remaining seven districts ranges from traditional maritime, water-
dependent uses to newer transitional uses. principly transient accommodations and residential
buildings.
Several parcels present 0pportunitie$ for development of water-dependent, or at least water-
oriented uses.
General Policies
A mixture and variety of uses and activities in the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront
District is encouraged, particularly those that:
Are water-dependent or water related uses or are accessory to or support water
dependent and/or water related uses.
Provide an opportunity for the public to actively or passively enjoy the
community's waterfront amenity.
Blend with or enhance the character and flavor of the Port Townsend Urban
Waterfront.
Provide a physical link or connection open to the public between the upland and
the shoreline.
Are supportive and reinforcing of the design and architectural qualities of the
Water Street National Historic District when located within or adjacent to its
boundaries.
A public pedestrian walkway system should be established along the Special District's
waterfront utilizing a combination of natural beaches, boaiatv,~, pathways, piers,
wharves, street-ends, sidewalks, stairways, or other improvements. Although it may not
be feasible for the walkway system to be continuous throughout the entire area, it should
promote quality pedestrian access to and along major portions of the waterfront. The
street-ends of Thayer, Decatur, Keamey, Gaines, Scott, Walker, Calhoun, Tyler, Adams,
Quincy, and Monroe Streets should, at a minimum, become developed access points to
the shoreline. Linkage between these street-ends should be determined by the physical
characteristics of the shorelines, existing development patterns, potential for structural
improvements, and other factors relevant to developing a continuous pedestrian system.
Existing piers and wharves along the Port Townsend Special District waterfront should
be refurbished or rebuilt in order to maintain a modern-day link with the community's
maritime history. The refurbishment or redevelopment of existing pier and wharf
structures ma)' ......... }, ............. ,~ ,., ............ ,,, ,, ..... v,,,,~,,, ....... t,~,,t ,,,ut
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
new over-water structures ~1.~11 S
~ be developed only to serve water-dependent uses.
Existing water-dependent and water-related uSes should be preServed and protected as
Critical elements of the traditional and current economy of the city. as well as elements
which ~lefine the cha/acter of the community..
Except within the Hist0ri¢ Commercial District, new residential or transient
accommodation developments should not be allowed unless as part of a mixed-uSe project
incorporating water-dependent, water-related or water-enjoyment uses.
Properties within the Boat Haven Marina District should preServe water-dependent or
publicly oriented recreational uSes along the shoreline and foster adjacent upland water-
relato;l ¢ommer¢ial and water-related industrial uSes which are necessary_ to sup_mart an
economically viable Port District.
7.
Properties within the Point Hudson Marina District should preserve or protect existing
water-oriented uSes. New development or redevelopment should be designed to provide
for water,related uses in conjunction with a variety of other water,enjoyment uses,
Performance Standards
1.
Development shall be limited to thoSe uSes which can be classified as a water-dependent.
water-related or water-enjoyment uSe. Non-water-oriented development, while not
preferred, may also be authorized as a conditional use provided said development
recognizes the public access directive of the Shoreline Management Act and makes
provisions for the public's continued and enhanced enjoyment of the shoreline. Such
provisions could be the preservation of shoreline views, the establishment of a public
access easement across and to the shoreline, enhancement of an adjacent street-end or
park. or other consideration commensurate with the degree of impact caused by the
development.
0
New structures or exterior alterations of existing structures located within or immediately
adjacent to the Water Street Ha'dc, nrA Historic Commercial District shall not detract from
the design and architectural integrity of the district. To this end, plans for development
shall include exterior elevations with enough design details to be evaluated by appropriate
historic preservation agencies.
Public access provisions shall include consideration for both physical and visual access
to the shoreline. Said provisions shall be coordinated with the Port Townsend taades
Planning and Building Department and planned in conjunction with th..e mn apprc, vcd
Comprehensive Public Access Plan~ and shall provide a link between the
6
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
2. 32.0
0
shoreline and upland and/or connect with adjacent access provisions as exists or are
planned.
The setback for non-water dependent elements of developments within the Port Townsend
Urban Waterfront Special District shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the
ordinary high water mark, except for those structures within the Water Street
Historic Commercial District where there is no standard minimum setback from the
ordinary high water mark.
public .....
higher...~:~ ....... .... '~- ~mm,. ~ ~u~t to ~e ~ific height limits of ~e s~i~
overlay dis~ct adopt~ in ~e Urb~ Waterfront PI~ ~d c~ifi~ in ChKoter 17.24 of
· e Pon Town,nd Municip~ C~e
The redevelopment and revision of existing wharves and piers may be permitted to serve
water dependent or water related uses. Water enjoyment ~'~
~.~ ,,~,,, ,,~,.~ ~.,~,.~,,~,~., UseS
may be authorized as conditional uses on these structures, provided such uses are
integrated elements to an overall redevelopment plan meeting all of the following
conditions:
Re
bo
ho
The redevelopment is to an existing, contributing structure within the Water
Street National Historic District as recognized by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation.
The structure is recognized by appropriate historic preservation agencies as
having local and state-wide historic significance.
The structure has an established history of mixed uses, both water oriented and
non-water oriented uses.
The redevelopment does not exceed the structure's historic, over-water footprint.
Buildings and other structures located on the wharf or pier are approved by
appropriate historic preservation agencies as being compatible and reinforcing of
the architectural integrity of the historic district.
A significant element or component of the developed area is dedicated to water
dependent and water-related uses.
At least one-third of the pile supported structure including a perimeter walkway
is dedicated for public access and enjoyment of the shoreline. All public access
provisions shall be complete and available for public use upon completion of the
first component of the development.
The redevelopment will not result in a reduction in the amount of physical public
access to and over the water as currently exists.
The City of Port Townsend shall be a party to a binding agreement to guarantee
that public access and enjoyment provisions are continuously maintained.
7
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
New development or redevelopment within the Boat Haven Marina District shall be
limited tO water-dependent or water-related uses.
New d~v¢lopment or redevelopment within the Point Hudson Marina District shall be
limited to water-oriented uses.
Residential or transient accommodation uses may be permitted as a conditional use.
provided that each of the following conditions are met in addition to those criteria Set
forth in Subsection 4.203.
Residential and transient accommodation uses shall not occupy any portion of the
ground floor of any buildings. Accessory_ uses. such as lobbies, which provide
servic, e~ or ~CC~SS tO residential or transient accommodations are allowed on the
ground floor.
A minimum of fifty l~reent (50%) of the total ground floor area of all buildings
which include any residential or transient uses shall be reserved on a continuous
b~$i$ for water,oriented uses. except in the Bo~t Haven Marina and Point Hudson
Marina Districts.
Exceptions to #9 above:
i.
Residential and transient accommodation uses in the Historic Commercial
District are primary_ uses and shall not rmuire a conditional use permit.
but shall not contain residential or transient accommodation uses on the
ground floor.
The Historic Commercial District is exempt from the 50% requirement for
providing water-oriented uses in buildings, provided the ground floor is reserved
for commercial retail or service uses permitted by the underlying zoning.
Properties located between Gaines Street and the western boundary of the
Historic Commercial District which are on the upland side of Water Street
are also exempt from 9Co) above,
Pre-existing structures shall not be required to provide water-oriented uses for a
minor addition, remodel or alteration when it will not increase the floor area
more than twenty percent (20%~ of the total floor area of the existing gmcture
as it exists at the time of adoption of this provision.
8
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
10,
Incentives tO protect and encourage pier and wharfs:
Th~ floor area of any existing pier or wharf which provides water-dependent or
publicly oriented recreational uses may be substituted for up to one-half of the
rea_uired floor area develo_oed on the uplands for water-oriented uses.
The floor area for any new wharf or pier constructed to serve water-dependent
9r publicly oriented recreational uses can be substituted for a 1:1 replacement of
the $0% floor area rea_uirement of providing water- oriented uses on the ground
floor.
Pl!bli¢ access shall be provided to piers and wharfs under a & b above unless
incompatible commercial operations on the structure preclude it.
11,
Uses allowed on piers and wharfs:
a. Water-de_~ndent uses or publicly oriented recreational uses shall be allowed on
piers and wharfs as a primary_ use.
b_. Water-related uses which provide necessary_ support services to water-dependent
uses may be allowed on piers and wharfs as a conditional use.
c. No uses other than 11 ta.~ and (b.) above shall be allowed over water except as
described in Performance Standard 6 (a-i) above.
Section 3. Subsection 4.40, Classification Table, of the Jefferson-Port Townsend
Shoreline Master Program is hereby amended to read as follows:
4.40 CLASSIFICATION TABLE
The environmental designation and developments and uses matrix on the following page provides
a graphic representation of the policies and performance standards contained in this Master
Program by indicating project classifications.
The matrix lists various uses that can occur within the shoreline environment on the left column.
Environmental designations (obtained from Appendix "A" and "B" for any specific location in
the county or city) are listed across the top. The classification is determined by following a use
line and a designation line to their mutual intersectiOn.
The classification of a project determines the level of review that it will receive. The matrix
provides a guide for the classificatiOn of Project proposals.
9
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
ENVIRONMENTAL DF_~IONATION$ URBAN PTUW SUBURBAN CONSERVANCY NATURAL AQUATIC
ADVERTISING
On-premise S _S $ S X C
Off.-p~ C X C C X X
AGRICULTURE S _S S P C N/A
AQUACULTURE S _S S P C P
BOAT LAUNCHES P P P S C <--
COMlVIERCIAL
Water-~lated and/or d~t and/or P
Non-water dependent C _C 4 C C X X
DOCKS, PIERS, AND I~OAT$ $ _S S S C <--
DRP-DOING S _S S C X < --
FOREST MANAOEIvfl~rr S _S P P C N/A
INDUSTRIAL AND PORT FACIL~
Water r~lated and/or dq~nd~nt P _P S C X <-
Non-water dependent $ S C C X X
LANDFILLS
Uphmd P
Aquatic S S C C X < -
MARINAS P _P S C X < --
MININO C =.C C C X
MOORING BUOYS S S P P C <--
PARKING FACILri'IES
Vistas S _S P P C C
Non-vistas S S $ C C C
RECREA~NAL FACILITIES
Over-night P P $ S X X
Day use P P P S C
RF~IDF_.NTXAL DEVELOPMENT C=_2 C~ P S X X
SCIeNtIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES P _P P P S
SHORE DEF~4SE WORKS S S S S C C
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES P _P S C C ~--
UTILIT~_~ P _P S C C C
~tJW - po~ Townsend Urban Waterfront Specisl District
10
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
2.37-°
Section 4. Section 8, Program Revisions, is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 8
PROGRAM REVISIONS
In order to comply with RCW 90.58.190, JefferSOn County and the City of Port ToWnsend shall
periodically review this Master Program and make such adjustments that are desirable or
necessary.
Any such revisions or adjustments shall be submitted to the Washington State Department of
Ecology only after completion of at least one public hearing in accordance with the requirements
set forth under WAC 173-19, and upon favorable recommendation of the JefferSOn County Board
of Commissioners and the Port Townsend City Council: provided however, that either any
r~visi0n or adjustment which applies only within the County or only within the City need not
be submitted for recommendation to the unaffected jurisdiction. No such revision or adjustment
shall become effective until it has been approved by the Washington State Department of
Ecology.
Section 5. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this ordinance
shall for any reaSOn be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect or invalidate any other
provision of this ordinance, but this ordinance shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid
provision had not been contained therein; provided, that any provision which shall for any reason
be held by reaSOn of its extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent
permitted by law.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective five days after its passage
and publication.
Rea~l~,RS'f~he first, second and third time times and passed by the City Council of the City of
P sen ashington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 28th day of October, 1992.
John lVl-. Clise, Mayor
ATTEST: ~~
David A. Grove, City Clerk
Approved as to~~.
, Y Y
11
(Port Townsend, November 1992)
S~__mm~~aw of Ordinance 2320, Amendments to the
Townsend Shoreline Management Master Program
Jefferson-Port
Pu _n)ose
At the request of the Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Advisory Commission,
the Port Townsend City Council initiated amendments to the Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline
Master Program. The purpose of the amendments is to remove an inconsistency within the
current Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master Program (SMP) with respect
to residential developments in the Urban Environment, and to address specifically development
of residential and transient accommodations within the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Special
District.
The policy foundation for the amendments rests on the concern for the future of the marine
trades industry--a traditional and vital part of the local economy.
In its adoption of Ordinance 2320, the City Council made the following findings:
In 1990, the City Council adopted the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Plan (UWP) to
protect the cultural, historic, aesthetic, and environmental quality of the City's
waterfront. Although the plan and its implementing ordinances provide design guidelines
and a special height overlay, it does not include development policies for waterfront
residential or transient accommodation uses. Waterfront residential development is
reviewed for consistency under the policies and performance standards of the Jefferson
County-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Master Program (SMP). It is necessary
and desirable to augment the plan by amending the SMP with respect to permitted and
conditional uses.
The current SMP contains inconsistent provisions regarding whether residential
development requires a conditional use permit in order to be developed in the Port
Townsend Urban Waterfront Special District shoreline environment. It is necessary to
correct these inconsistencies.
The Jefferson-Port Townsend Shoreline Management Advisory Commission has requested
the City COuncil to begin a public process that would determine if the SMP should be
amended to address the inconsistencies between the SMP and UWP.
In 1988, Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend reached a settlement with the
Washington State Department of Ecology on the appeal concerning the proposed Union
Wharf redevelopment project. One condition of that appeal was to adopt certain
amendments to the SMP which specifically authorized the Union Wharf project. Now,
as that the project proponents have failed to proceed and the permits have expired, the
special amendments made then appear inappropriate. Thus, these amendments should
be revised.
5. A 1990 study by the Jefferson County Economic Development Council, "A Survey of
Summary
November 4, 1992
Page 2
e
10.
the Economic Impacts of the Marine Trades Industry in Jefferson County," documents
that the marine trades industry in Jefferson County is a major component of the local
economy. There is a direct connection between commercial vessel storage and repair
facilities and the need for preserving shoreline properties for water-dependent uses in
order to maintain a strong marine trades economy. Properties in the Port Townsend
Urban Waterfront Special District that are particularly well suited for these uses are the
Boat Haven Marina and Point Hudson Marina Districts.
The Port Townsend School District has recently received a $400,000 federal grant to
fund a Magnet Training Center. The purpose of the Center is to integrate schools and
the business community in a partnership in vocational training. A primary target of the
Center is to provide vocational training for high school students interested in working in
the marine trades. The Center will also provide classes and additional training for
marine trade employees.
A 1992 report prepared for the Port of Port Townsend evaluates the feasibility of
increasing the capacity of marine haulout facilities at the Boat Haven port property.
Enhanced haulout facilities will allow existing and new marine trade businesses to service
a class of vessels that will constitute new clients, which could allow Port Townsend firms
to service over 96% of the commercial and recreational fleet based on the west coast.
The report states that "this activity will create between 70 and 97 new jobs. Marine
trades employment is especially important to the community as it has one of the highest
average annual wages per employee of all economic sectors."
A statistically validated 1991 Citizen survey undertaken in 1991 by the Port Townsend
Main Street Project found that the uses citizen respondents felt were most appropriate for
the Port Townsend commercial waterfront include: open space (86 9[), boat repair (85 %),
boat building (84%), other marine related uses (84%), restaurants (76%) and festivals
(72%). Uses respondents felt were not appropriate for the waterfront included R.V.
parks (81%), condominiums (74%), and apartments (72%).
Public testimony on recent shoreline permits have indicated public concern about the loss
of traditional shoreline uses. Many of these uses are essential to the traditional fishing
and boat building/repair businesses which continue to be a mainstay of our local
economy. These uses, which must be on the shoreline to survive, are often
displaced by the economic pressures of tourist facilities and residential
developments. The current SMP fails to address this concern and actually favors
residential uses over some water-oriented uses.
The current SMP fails to recognize certain District's unique suitability to accommodate
preferred uses such as water-dependent and water-related uses, while other districts could
Summary
November 4, 1992
Page 3
further increase water-enjoyment uses. Therefore, the SMP should provide for
preservation of future opportunities for uses which require a waterfront location, uses
which might otherwise be lost to shoreline development for other uses.
11.
The Commercial Historic District, however, has very few water-dependent uses today.
In this area, permitting non-water dependent uses appears appropriate and may further
promote renovation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings in the District, thereby
economically assisting historic preservation and improved public safety though seismic
strengthening projects in these buildings.
12.
The Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58.020.7) states in part that, "uses shall be
preferred which are consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the
natural environment, or are unique to or dependent upon use of the state's
shoreline...shall be given priority for single family residences, ports, shoreline
recreational uses including but not limited to parks, marinas, piers, and other
improvements facilitating public access to the shorelines of the state, industrial and
commercial developments which are particularly dependent on their location on or use
of the shorelines of the state and other development that will provide an opportunity for
substantial numbers of the people to enjoy the shorelines of the state."
13.
Administrative rules implementing the Shoreline Management Act (WAC 173-16-040-(4))
states that, "Because shorelines suitable for urban uses are a limited resource, emphasis
should be given to development within already developed areas and particularly to water-
dependent industrial and commercial uses requiring frontage on navigable waters." The
proposed amendment recognizes the unique suitability of certain areas to accommodate
preferred shoreline water dependent or related uses while also encouraging a broad range
of urban uses, such as commercial and transient uses in the Historic Commercial District.
14.
The proposed amendments are designed to meet the Department of Ecology's suggestions
for preparing Master Program revisions for mixed use projects. As stated in Ecology's
Shoreline Management Guidebook (1990), "Mixed use developments can be a tool for
achieving increased water-dependent activities, civic revitalization and public access on
the shoreline."
Public Process
The following public meetings were conducted in consideration of the proposed amendments:
September 30 Shoreline Master Program Advisory Commission: Public Workshop
October 14 Shoreline Master Program Advisory Commission: Public Hearing
Summary
November 4, 1992
Page 4
October 21 Shoreline Master Program Advisory Commission: Unanimous Recommendation
October 26 Port Townsend City Council/Jefferson County Board of Commissioners: Public
Hearing on Recommendations of the Shoreline Advisory Commission
October 28 Port Townsend City Council: Unanimous adoption, as mended
November 2 Jefferson County Board of Commissioners: Unanimous adoption
Public notice was published in the Port Townsend Leader on September 23, September 30, and
October 7. The notice was also posted on September 21 at City Hall, the Jefferson County
Courthouse and the Post Office Building. In addition, a mailing list was developed of all those
who requested a draft of the ordinance or attended meetings. As the draft was revised, copies
were mailed to those on the mailing list.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has adopted the amendments by Resolution 106-
92.
The amendments have been submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE)
for approval. The amendments are not effective until approval by the DOE and further
amendments may be included in such approval. As a part of DOE review, the Washington State
Ecological Commission is expected to schedule a hearing in Port Townsend in December.
Notification of the hearing will be published in the Leader. It is anticipated that state approval
will occur by February 2, 1993.
Provisions
Ordinance 2320 incorporates by reference the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Plan into
the SMP, including the eight subdistricts and map.
The policies of the Port Townsend Urban Waterfront Special District are revised and
expanded to encourage preservation and development of water-dependent, water-related
and water-enjoyment uses. Development of residential or transient accommodation uses
are generally restricted to mixed-use developments with water-oriented uses. New
performance standards restrict development in the Boat Haven and Point Hudson Marina
Districts to water-oriented uses (water-dependent and water-related only in the Boat
Haven Marina Distric0.
Residential and transient accommodation uses are not allowed in the Boat Haven Marina
District and the Point Hudson Marina District, but are allowed as a primary use in the
Summary
November 4, 1992
Page 5
Historic Commercial District, or as a conditional, mixed-use in the remaining areas of
the Port ToWnsend Urban Waterfront Special District.
Where residential or transient accommodation uses are allowed, specific mixed-use
provisions are set forth in the ordinance. Specifically, if a proposed development is to
include residential or transient accommodation uses, the ground floor must be occupied
by other uses and at least 50% of the ground floor area must be reserved for water-
oriented uses. Water-oriented uses is a broad category of uses defined in the SMP and
includes restaurants, museums, marine-related retail shops, and a host of public uses
which provide for interaction of people with the shoreline for leisure and enjoyment.
Exceptions are included for the Historic Commercial District in which a conditional use
permit is not required, provided the ground floor is reserved for commercial retail sales
or services. Minor additions to pre-existing structures are also exempt throughout the
Special District, as is a described area upland of Water Street between Gaines Street and
the western boundary of the Commercial Historic District.
The use classification table is revised to reflect the new provisions of the SMP.
Incentives are included to protect and encourage development of piers and wharfs by
allowing certain substitutions of floor area of new or existing piers or wharfs for the
required ground floor area otherwise reserved for water-oriented uses.
Water-dependent uses or publicly oriented recreational uses are allowed on piers and
wharfs as a primary use, while water-related and other water-enjoyment uses must meet
specified conditional use criteria.
Procedures for future revisions of the SMP are revised to provide that a revision or
adjustment which applies only within the County or only within the City need not be
submitted for recommendation to the unaffected jurisdiction.
The foregoing summary is published to provide a simplified overview of Ordinance 2320, but
should not be relied upon as a substitute for the Ordinance itself. Copies of Ordinance 2320 are
available without charge at City Hall, 540 Water Street, Port Townsend. Copies of the
Jefferson-Port Townsend Master Program are available at a nominal charge.