PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Department of Community Development aims to improve its customer service with the creation of a new resource center and the addition of a grant-funded staffer to help the public navigate myriad regulations.
“Our focus is on public outreach,” said Al Scalf, DCD director.
“We want to use an innovative concept of coaching the public about their particular land-use issues.”
Sometime this spring, the department will open a Watershed Stewardship Resource Center, which will operate out of its office at 621 Sheridan St., Port Townsend.
The project, which will take the place of the “planner of the day” program, is funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The grant will pay the $40,000 annual salary for planner Shannon Glass, whose job it will be to inform applicants about how a specific land-use project will impact the ecosystem.
“This will be a place where you can come in and someone will work with you who knows all the requirements for an effective stormwater system and can be used as a resource,” Scalf said.
Landscape architecture
Glass, who recently graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in landscape architecture, was one of 19 applicants for the position. She started work earlier this month.
Glass said landscape architecture is rooted in land-use issues and sustainable practices.
“Landscape architecture addresses interpretations of environmental regulations and how to solve problems in creative ways that satisfy users’ needs,” Glass said.
Scalf said that Glass’ background will be useful.
“When you are determining land use, you need to use design techniques to determine how different aspects like water, septic [work] and start laying them out in terms of the constraints brought about by critical areas,” he said.
Scalf hopes Glass will help to change the perception that planning issues are difficult to understand.
“We’re trying to change the face of DCD,” Scalf said.
“We want to develop a friendlier, resource-oriented place where you can come and get information and someone will work with you who knows multiple requirements and coach you.”
Glass is available now to offer some customer assistance. The date of the opening of the resource center will be announced later.
Glass can be reached at sglass@co.jefferson.wa.us or 360-379-4450.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
