PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Commissioners on Monday night fine-tuned a controversial 42-page proposed critical areas ordinance that has been debated since 2006, bringing it into a final form that they expect to approve next Monday.
The three commissioners agreed in principle to revisions to be made to the proposed ordinance, which will regulate construction near Jefferson County’s streams and wetlands through the creation of development buffer zones intended to protect water quality and the environment.
“We all agreed up there,” said Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George.
“I would say it has a very good chance of passing,” said Commissioner John Austin, D-Port Ludlow.
County staff will finalized the proposal before the next commissioner meeting on Monday. Commissioners face a Tuesday deadline to approve a critical areas ordinance.
Consideration of the document will be included on the consent agenda. It will be taken off only if one of the commissioners decides that the topic needs more deliberation.
Debate over the proposal generated a split between property rights supporters and environmental interests.
The meeting, which lasted 3 hours 23 minutes, consisted of the commissioners discussing the clarity of the wording — aiming for simple and understandable language — making corrections and finalizing sections of the 42 page document with county staff who have worked on the project.
“Clarity is the issue throughout this whole document,” Sullivan said.
