State Environmental Policy Act Compliance

JEFFERSON COUNTY NOTICE OF DETERMINATION OF NON‑SIGNIFICANCE AND NOTICE LEAD AGENCY STATUS
CASE NO.: MLA18-00098

 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: The proposal includes a comprehensive set of regulations for commercial shooting facilities within unincorporated Jefferson County, including zoning changes for their siting, performance standards, and health and safety regulations.

In the proposal, Jefferson County is amending Ordinance No. 12-1102-18 (Title 8 - Health and Safety Code) and Ordinance No. 15-1214-18 (Title 18 – Land Use Code) relating to shooting facilities within unincorporated Jefferson County. These amendments are designed to address the public participation and SEPA issues decided in the September 16, 2019 Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board Final Decision and Order in Case No. 19-02-0003-c, which invalidated Jefferson County Ordinance No. 12-1102-18 and Ordinance No. 15-1214-18 under the Growth Management Act (GMA, Chapter 36.70A RCW) on the basis that Ordinance No. 12-1102-18 (Title 8 - Health and Safety Code) was a development regulation.  The Growth Board remanded the ordinances to Jefferson County to achieve compliance as addressed in the Final Decision and Order, with compliance due on March 2, 2020.  The proposal eliminates language referenced in the Growth Board Decision that made Ordinance 12-1102-18 (Title 8 - Health and Safety Code) a development regulation, including eliminating language that suggests the ordinance places controls on land.

PROJECT PROPONENT: Michelle Farfan, Associate Planner, Community Development, Jefferson County.

LEAD AGENCY: Jefferson County          .

PROJECT LOCATION: The proposed action covers the geographical jurisdiction of unincorporated Jefferson County.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jefferson County, as the lead agency for this proposal issued a determination of   non‑significance (DNS) under the State Environmental Policy Act rules (Chapter 197‑11) WAC for the proposed action. The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request or through the links provided below.

COMMENTS: This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from January 15, 2020. Comments must be received by the Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD) by January 29, 2020 at 4:30pm.

Comments may be submitted via email to dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us with the subject line “CSFO – SEPA Comment”, by USPS mail to Jefferson County DCD, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, or in-person at the Jefferson County DCD Office (address below).

This is a nonproject action per WAC 197-11-704(2)(b). Adoption of the proposal by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners is expected in February 2020.

AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS: For more information, to review the SEPA checklist, to review the Staff Report, or other related information, contact DCD by phone at (360) 379-4450, or visit http://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/WeblinkExternal/0,0,0,0,0/fol/1898073/Row1.aspx. To view the 2019 Staff Report to the Planning Commission, click HERE.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Linda L. Paralez, Planning Manager, MBA, Ph.D., 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, 360-379-4488, lparalez@co.jefferson.wa.us.