August-September 2024

In this Issue

Reading Time: Approximately 1 ½ minutes

School supplies are beginning to fill store shelves and, in some stores, Christmas decor. Despite these reminders of time moving on, the weather reminds us that it is still summer in Kitsap County. Many days of dry spells and temperatures over 80 degrees keep the threat of fire danger high. We remain in a Phase 1 Burn Ban, which could change as this weather continues. Read more about the phases of a burn ban here.

We have been busy! Our last newsletter mentioned that our permit submittal activity continues to trend high (see Permit Statistics here) and that we are working with an outside consultant to improve our permit review process. This has been an ongoing process that has included community stakeholders. You can read more about the Permit Review Process Improvement project here.

We are calling all farmers and agriculture-related business participants. We need your input as our Long-Range Planning team begins to work on rural issues in 2025. Please read the article about our work and how you can participate in a survey that will help guide us in 2025.

The Sea Level Rise Study in Kitsap County, being conducted as the result of a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology, will have an Open House in September. Please read more about the projectand plan on attending the open house in person or virtually.

Burn Bans

Reading Time: Approximately 2.5 minutes

There are two phases in a fire danger burn ban. The fire danger burn bans are implemented when environmental and weather conditions create hazardous fire risks. In a typical Kitsap County year, we reach a phase one burn ban in early July and phase two sometime in August. There are always exceptional years, so being cautious and knowledgeable about burn bans is essential.

You may receive the information in several ways, including your outdoor burn permit with your local fire district, which will be suspended, or you have signed up to be notified of burn bans by our Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s office.

Phase One: All outdoor fires except for recreational/campfires are banned.

What is allowed?

Recreational fires are small, controlled fires like campfires, cooking fires, or bonfires that are up to three feet wide and use charcoal or firewood. These fires must be at least 25 feet from buildings or anything that can catch fire. A responsible person must always be present with tools like a shovel, a water hose, or a five-gallon bucket of water to ensure the fire can be put out entirely if needed.

Phase Two: All outdoor fires, including recreational/campfires, are banned.

A phase two burn ban doesn’t mean you should cancel the barbecue. It means you must cook in a freestanding BBQ appliance using natural gas or propane fuel, which is still allowed under this phase.

Did you know a burn ban can be implemented in the winter?

These burn bans are based on air quality, are presented in two stages, and are implemented by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Urban Growth Areas and High-Density Areas

The Department of Ecology adopted WAC 173-425 in the year 2000, which changed outdoor burning regulations. These rules apply to you if you live in an urban growth area or high-density area of Kitsap County.

Come See How We're Improving

Reading Time: Approximately 1 minutes

In 2023, Community Development began a process improvement project to improve our current permit review process. Since then, we have engaged and hired a consultant who has worked with many other jurisdictions in our state. We have involved community members, industry professionals and Kitsap County staff in this process.

We have created a website where you can follow along with the project. The website includes a timeline and documents related to the project. We will continue to update this site as new information is available. We have also included a form to ask questions or share your feedback on the site.

As a warning, the permit review process can be complicated, and some documents will be challenging to comprehend. We will do our best to interpret the changes as they develop in our future communications. Community Development believes strongly in process improvement, and we are committed to improving the permit review process for all.

Resource: Permit Review Process Improvement webpage

Chickens, Pheasant Fields Farm, Silverdale, WA

Kitsap County to Increase Focus on Rural Planning in 2025

Reading Time: Approximately 3 minutes

In 2025, Kitsap County Long Range Planners will increase its focus on rural planning issues. This includes addressing previously submitted rural-to-rural reclassification requests; review of the current agriculture code (Chapter 17.455); assessment of natural resources lands, forest lands, and agricultural lands; environmental protection; economic development; and rural character.

Comprehensive Plan Updates

2024 Comprehensive Plan

Since the county's last update was adopted in 2016, new state legislation for housing targets (HB 1220 overview) and Climate Change (HB 1181 overview) have altered how the County is required to plan. The three areas of focus for the Comprehensive Plan update are Housing, Climate Change, and Centers (Silverdale, Kingston, and McWilliams/303).

Additionally, Kitsap County assessed three alternatives for future growth that included no action, compact growth/urban center focus, and dispersed growth. The compact growth/urban center focus was selected by the Board of Commissioners and direction was provided that “all rural-to-rural reclassification requests deferred to a later planning process (2025+).”

As the update of the 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan nears the end, Kitsap County Department of Community Development Long Range Planning group is assessing the goals, policies, and strategies in each of the chapters as they relate to unincorporated, rural Kitsap County.

2010 Comprehensive Plan

Kitsap County undertook substantial rural planning in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan update, and the plan included a separate rural element. The County won the 2011 Governor’s Smart Communities Award for their work. This element will be reviewed and assessed as part of the 2025 rural planning effort.

Agriculture, Farming, and Local Food Systems

A component of the rural planning includes a focus on agriculture and farming in unincorporated Kitsap County. A proposal in consideration to redevelop the Kitsap County Agriculture Advisory Council – more information on that will be coming soon.

In the meantime, we would like to encourage all aspiring, current, and retired farmers to participate in a survey.

American Farmland Trust is conducting a survey of current, former, and aspiring farmers in the Puget Sound region to understand the needs and challenges they are facing. This survey will inform the development of a roadmap and action plan to address Puget Sound agricultural viability, along with a toolkit for county governments to better plan for and serve farmers in their communities.

The results of the survey will help inform Kitsap County and our Rural planning efforts to ensure we include concerns from the farming community and learn from other farming communities and counties in the region.

To enjoy Kitsap County farms, consider participating in the 2^nd Annual Kitsap Farm Tour on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 10am to 4pm.

The tour is an initiative of the Kitsap Agritourism Coalition, a group of dedicated farmers working together to promote agritourism in Kitsap County. The event is supported by WSU Kitsap Extension, Visit Kitsap Peninsula, and the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA).

For more information on the event, visit the WSU Kitsap Extension webpage or the event Facebook page. For more information about the upcoming rural planning, contact Heather Cleveland.

Kitsap County Sea Level Rise Study - Public Meeting

Reading Time: Approximately 3 minutes.

Kitsap County has been awarded a grant by the Washington State Department of Ecology to conduct a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment. The grant is through the Shoreline Planning Competitive Grant Program, in the amount of $230,000. This project must be completed by June of 2025.

Under this grant the County has hired a consultant, Facet NW, to assist the Department of Community Development and Public Works in identifying potential losses or damages from flooding due to sea level rise; characterize the risk of loss; and highlight areas of the community, resources, infrastructure, or assets considered most vulnerable.

With more than 200 miles of marine shoreline the County is already experiencing hazards due to rising sea levels. Coastal erosion and flooding increases risks to public and private infrastructure, public health, and safety. This project builds on the County’s past planning efforts which emphasize the need to understand and adapt to the impacts of sea level rise.

Point No Point Rd, Hansville, 2022

The Project

The project will use existing data to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based model of localized sea level rise projections, flood hazards resulting from the migration of shorelines, coastal flooding hazards resulting from extreme events, and groundwater changes.

The analysis will be based on best available science and assess two future scenario dates, (e.g., 2050 and 2100).

Community engagement events and surveys will be conducted to gather public perspectives. Outreach efforts will also include consultation with a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of Tribal and intergovernmental partners.

The final report will summarize vulnerabilities across the County and identify where to focus adaptation and resiliency efforts. Findings from the report will be presented to different community groups and boards. The assessment will be used for a variety of planning purposes including informing future revisions to the County’s shoreline master program, critical areas ordinance, public works transportation improvement program, wastewater systems, stormwater, capital facilities plan, and Comprehensive Plan.

Attend our Public Open House – September 11

The County would like to gather public perspectives and is inviting everyone to attend a Public Open House.

Sea Level Rise – Public Open House
September 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm
Commissioners Chambers – 619 Division St, Port Orchard

A virtual attendance option will be available. All information related to this project and upcoming events can be found at Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (kitsap.gov), or by contacting Jim Rogers, Lead Planner, at SLR@Kitsap.gov.

Subscribe to Community Development News.

Kitsap County Department of Community Development
614 Division Street - MS36
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Media Contact: Alicia Adler

KITSAP COUNTY
Kitsap County government exists to protect and promote the safety, health and welfare of our citizens in an efficient, accessible and effective manner.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The mission of the Department of Community Development is to foster the development of quality, affordable, structurally safe and environmentally sound communities.