Western Sequim urban growth area boundary finalized

PORT ANGELES — Seventy-two acres and 61 parcels west of Sequim will be removed from the urban growth area under a hybrid version of a Clallam County Planning Commission recommendation.

Clallam County commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-0 to approve an ordinance that ends a nearly decade-old effort by residents of the neighborhood to be removed from the urban growth area, or UGA, to protect the rural character of the area.

The neighborhood is located south of West Hendrickson Road and east of North Priest Road. It includes Palo Verde.

Some citizens spoke against the planning commission’s recommended alternative — one of three — that removed 75 acres from the UGA and changed the zoning to rural low in a Dec. 15 public hearing. Rural low allows for one dwelling per 4.8 acres.

Opponents of being removed were concerned about giving up their options if they ever needed access to city services.

“We approved, in concept, a sort of a hybrid of what the planning commission had approved,” said Commissioner Steve Tharinger, whose district includes the Sequim UGA.

“I met with staff to finalize the boundary. We went over this yesterday. So we’re going to include seven lots that are on the western portion of this area or have those lots remain in the urban growth area.”

Rather than allowing a random sawtooth map of the urban growth boundary, county lawmakers opted for a compromise.

They drew a consistent boundary line that took into account the wishes of as many property owners as possible.

An urban growth area is unincorporated land adjacent to an established city or an unincorporated hamlet.

Under the Growth Management Act, cities may extend public utilities to urban growth areas or annex land.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation kept 27 acres of the 101-acre neighborhood in the northeast and southeast corners of the neighborhood in the UGA. These parcels are closest to city utility lines.

Lands remaining in the UGA will retain their urban residential zoning, which allows up to five homes per acre.

The change takes effect in 10 business days.

There are no commissioners’ meetings next week in observance of the holidays.

The next meeting is a Jan. 4 work session at the Clallam County Courthouse at 9 a.m.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladaily news.com.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost