PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County, Port of Port Townsend and Port Townsend city leaders are close to an agreement to collaborate on the future of economic development in the County.
The Port Townsend City Council unanimously authorized Mayor Michelle Sandoval to execute a memorandum of understanding with the port and county that clarifies land uses allowed at the port’s Jefferson County International Airport.
The agreement also calls for collaborative negotiations for a joint economic development planning agreement, and a market analysis to determine which economic sectors are mostly likely to experience growth in the county.
Based on the agreement, the city will not appeal the three county commissioners’ approval of a 24-acre light industrial rezoning at the airport.
Before the City Council took action during a special business meeting Saturday, City Manager David Timmons said the city was “not putting the kibosh on any jobs while we do the analysis” to formulate a common economic vision and develop coordinated policies for county economic development.
City Attorney John Watts told the council there was no timeline on the agreement, but there was “a dispute resolution clause if there are any doubts about future actions.”
County Administrator Philip Morley and county Commissioner David Sullivan said they were both pleased by the City Council’s actions.
“It’s a good thing because, in my view, it’s best to be spending time on our efforts on planning for the future rather than fighting about the past,” Morley said.
Her was referring to Jefferson County’s history of turbulence over economic development, which ultimately led to the county commissioners withholding funding to the former Jefferson County Economic Development Council and contracting Washington State University Extension’s Team Jefferson as the county’s economic development arm.
“It’s important for everyone to conserve resources and show collaboration and restraint,” Sullivan said, voicing support for the agreement Monday.
The port commissioners are to consider the memo of understanding Wednesday and the county commissioners will consider it next Monday.
Port Executive Director Larry Crockett said he would recommend approval of the agreement to the port commissioners Wednesday.
“It essentially was targeted toward the city, to address their concerns and issues,” Crockett said.
The City Council had considered appealing the county commissioners’ approval of the Port of Port Townsend’s 24-acre light industrial-essential public facilities rezoning proposal at the airport.
But after hearing pleas from county residents to not go through the Land Use Planning Act appeals process, the council backed away.
Whether a Joint Growth Management Steering Committee would be formed is still unknown, Crockett said, but how the government agencies could best approach economic development through a formal, balanced panel of representatives was still a consideration.
The intention is to come up with a joint strategy for growth management countywide, city leaders agreed.
The three governments — which met in January and agreed to gather again in 90 days — are expected to meet jointly over the issue by sometime in April.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
