PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County commissioners unanimously approved a binding site plan for the 54-site Island View RV park at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 on Tuesday.
The decision was preceded by complaints regarding the decision.
The commissioners had delayed the action from their Oct. 11 meeting until county staff could conduct a site visit and confirm that the conditions set by the hearings examiner had been met, especially the fence and trees which are intended to act as a visual barrier.
Developer Randy Simmons said during the public comment session: “I understand your frustration. It’s such a nice, quiet park.
“They required 27 things and then some. The neighborhood is a lot cleaner than two years ago when I started. I encourage you to look at what I had to deal with.”
Michael Rigsby told the commissioners: “Come out and take another look. That fence is going to fail. It’s ridiculous. And that’s a filled grade, not a berm. This was the first storm of the season and it wasn’t even that big.
“(Clallam County Code) Chapter 33.2 states the intent is to lessen the impact on an area’s rural character. If I want 54 neighbors, then I’ll get an apartment in Seattle.”
Ed Telenick of Sequim said: “I have no dogs in this fight, but I’ve lived in communities like this. Everyone’s complicit. I’m just disgusted. I can’t believe it.”
In a six-page letter submitted to the commissioners during the process, Apryl Cramer wrote that the fence Simmons has is 5 feet plus 1 foot of lattice, making it not a solid wooden fence.
During a final Monday work session on the issue, Commissioner Randy Johnson thanked Simmons for the time put into it.
Said commissioner Bill Peach: “This was a lot of extra work, but it addresses the public’s concerns.
Commissioner Mark Ozias said the project showed places where the county can improve the process, without elaborating.
________
Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@sound publishing.com.
