PORT ANGELES — A state hearings board today (Monday) lifted the Carlsborg urban growth area from a 2008 finding of noncompliance and invalidity with the Growth Management Act, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman announced in a candidate’s forum.
The decision means that businesses in the unincorporated town west of Sequim can expand.
The growth board determined that Carlsborg was in violation of the 1990 state law because it lacked adequate infrastructure, specifically a sewer.
While planning for a $17 million sewer and wastewater treatment facility — and simultaneously disputing the growth board’s April 2008 ruling in court — the county has employed interim zoning controls for Carlsborg that restrict new development.
Last week, the county extended interim zoning controls for the seventh time in four years.
“Today, the Growth Management Hearings Board has lifted invalidity in Carlsborg,” Chapman announced, drawing applause from a crowd of about 100 at today’s Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Port Angeles Red Lion Hotel.
“That just came off the press at 11:30 this morning. That is an issue that (State Rep.) Steve (Tharinger) and I and (Commissioner) Mike Doherty have worked on for 10 years.
“That means that as soon as we can, there will be a proposal before the board of commissioners to remove the moratorium and businesses that have been desperate to expand in Carlsborg will now be free to look at their property rights and their issues and determine if expansion is right for them.
“In the meantime, thanks to Representative Tharinger’s good work at the Legislature, we also have a financing plan in place to put a sewer in Carlsborg.”
“When we get the sewer, watch that area of the county economically really grow and create new jobs.”
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
