This section addresses the GMA required land use element (distribution and general location and extent of the uses of land for housing, commerce, industry, public utilities and public facilities) and the rural element (land uses that are compatible with the rural character of such lands). This chapter also addresses master planned resorts and essential public facilities.

In the twenty (20) year period from 1970 to 1990, the population of the three (3) cities grew by less than 4,600 people while the unincorporated area grew by more than 17,000 people. Most of the rural growth occurred in the east end of the County, some of it in planned communities such as Sunland, Solmar, Mains Farm, and Diamond Point, but also a significant portion in one-acre tracts. The West End also experienced significant population growth in the 1970’s, but during the 1980’s, approximately half of the population gain was lost.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) establishes a framework for coordinated and comprehensive planning which will help Clallam County and its cities to manage growth in a manner which best fits Clallam County. The GMA calls for urban growth areas where urban development will be encouraged and can be supported with adequate facilities and services. At the same time, the GMA discourages the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development and encourages conservation of rural character and resource lands. These three (3) general land uses (urban, rural and forest resource) form the framework for more specific land use designations, which are found in one of four (4) regional subarea plans.

Although every person may be able to recognize “sprawl” when they see it, there are numerous variations of what the term means. Sprawl may be where urban areas have not been able to extend urban services, such as water and sewer systems, or adequate road systems. Sprawl may be where growth continues to spread over larger areas, spiraling outward. Sprawl may be extension of commercial development along main arterials or highways – “strip” development. Sprawl may be where housing or commercial development is not concentrated enough to provide public facilities and services in an efficient manner but too dense to be considered rural in character. Sprawl may be where there no longer is a clear distinction between a city or urban environment and a rural environment.

There are many tools and methods upon which a comprehensive plan can attempt to define and control sprawl, urban growth and rural character. Land use controls, use of physical features, purchase of lands, and setting different standards for public facilities and services between rural and urban areas are all potential tools.

Land use controls, such as housing densities and/or type of uses are one method to define rural areas from urban areas. A minimum density could be set within urban growth areas and a maximum density in rural areas. For example, land divisions in urban areas could be restricted to lots more dense than three (3) units per acre in order to ensure an efficient land use pattern and delivery of services/facilities. Land divisions in rural areas could be restricted to lots larger than one unit per acre.

Land uses can also make a clear distinction from rural to urban areas. In rural areas, people expect a quieter lifestyle: less traffic, minimal public services, animals, such as horses, chickens, etc. Commercial and industrial uses in rural areas could focus on the types of services needed for rural residents, such as feed stores, greenhouses, mineral extraction, and some convenient services like gas stations and small grocery stores. In urban areas, a wide mix of uses could be expected, including major retail, high-density housing, and industrial sites.

Use of physical features, such as rivers or ravines to separate urban areas from rural areas helps to control growth from going outward and serves as a clear line for changes in land uses. When artificial lines are used to distinguish rural areas from urban areas, it is more difficult to control the spread of urban growth. Also, the landowner living on either side of a urban/rural line might be subjected to competing land uses. An urban dweller might complain about the animals of the rural dweller. The rural dweller might be impacted by increased traffic, lights and glare from the urban area. When a major physical feature is used to separate these areas, there is less likelihood for conflicts and greater likelihood that growth could be controlled from “sprawling” outward.

Purchase of lands at the edge of urban areas for greenbelts, parks and open space can help separate urban from rural, particularly in those circumstances where a physical feature cannot be used or where development rights would be severely diminished due to new Growth Management legislation. One community has financed the purchase of farmlands and open space around an entire city. Not only does this provide recreational benefit to the citizens, it also provides a clear distinction of urban areas from the rural area.

While there is a need for growth in Clallam County to be directed into urban areas, people moving here often prefer a more rural setting. How to direct growth into urban areas and discourage suburban or rural sprawl is a challenging task.