PORT ANGELES — A temporary order restricting new structures in rural Clallam County to 10,000 square feet has been extended.
The three commissioners passed an ordinance continuing interim zoning controls for six months after a public hearing Tuesday.
The second six-month extension will provide time for a new work group to help county staff develop permanent regulations for vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfast inns.
“We’re hoping to get perhaps more input from the various industries and tie it into the ordinance,” Principal Planner Kevin LoPiccolo told commissioners.
The county imposed the 10,000-square-foot structure size limitation after a California developer proposed a 32,000-square-foot bed-and-breakfast at 695 E. Sequim Bay Road.
That proposal, which was vested by the Department of Community Development before the temporary zoning took effect, drew strong opposition from residents concerned about impacts to their rural neighborhood.
Industry proponents countered that most vacation rentals and B&Bs make good neighbors and contribute to the local economy.
Commissioners have sought common sense regulations that balance the interests of rural residents and the tourism industry.
“This has obviously been a tough one for us collectively,” board Chairman Mark Ozias said in the public hearing.
“It’s a complicated subject.”
Written testimony was provided on the temporary ordinance, but no speakers testified in the public hearing.
Absent an extension, the 10,000-square-foot limitation for 13 rural zoning districts would have expired Sept. 1.
Clallam County has an existing ordinance for vacation rentals but no permanent development standards for bed-and-breakfast inns, which are regulated only through definitions.
Under county code, B&Bs are defined as single-family dwellings occupied by the owner or manager with five or fewer guest rooms for overnight accommodations.
Last February, the county Planning Commission voted 6-3 to recommend a permanent ordinance limiting vacation rentals and B&Bs to 10,000 square feet and five guest rooms.
That proposal would have required new lodging facilities between 4,000 and 10,000 square feet to have a conditional use permit.
Industry officials objected to the proposal April 11, seeking more flexibility from the county.
Commissioners directed staff to develop a process to allow certain B&Bs to have up to eight guest rooms.
LoPiccolo said the work group will evaluate existing structure sizes in rural zones and review the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
County planners will meet with the work group to develop permanent regulations.
“Once the brainstorming is done, we’ll come back to the work group and then start going to the different planning regions to discuss what we’re proposing,” LoPiccolo said.
The work group will hold meetings in all three commissioner districts before commissioners act on permanent regulations.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
