31.03.320 Diamond Point/Sunshine Acres rural center.
(1) Boundary. [Policy No. 1] The rural center boundary should be limited generally to the residential, commercial, and industrial plats of Sunshine Acres and Diamond Point. The boundaries should be the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Discovery Bay on the north and east, the State Park land on the west, and the southerly limits of the Sunshine Acres development on the south.
(2) Critical Areas. [Policy No. 2] Critical resources in the rural center include shellfish beds, geologically unstable bluffs, shorelines, and wildlife habitat. Bluff erosion due to stormwater runoff is causing considerable gully erosion and deposition. Pollution from stormwater runoff, erosion, and failing sewage systems should be addressed. Trees along shoreline bluffs may be critical for eagles, peregrine falcons, and other birds utilizing shoreline trees for perching or nesting. The wetland at Diamond Point (the Lagoon) should be protected from filling and disturbance of wildlife.
(3) Public Services and Facilities.
(a) [Policy No. 3] Water service is provided in this rural center by two private companies. Further land divisions should be prohibited unless water service is extended to those areas, either by a private party or public provider.
(b) [Policy No. 4] Sewer service is not available in the rural center. There are areas of poor soils with limitations for on-site septic systems. The PUD has taken over ownership of one community drainfield in Sunshine Acres. Additional community drainfields owned and managed by the PUD is the most viable option for sewage disposal and should be required for new land divisions.
(4) Open Space and Greenbelts.
(a) [Policy No. 5] This rural center is surrounded by open space and greenbelts, including saltwater and the designated State Park land. Some of the forested open space pose a fire threat. The State of Washington and the Homeowners’ Association should be encouraged to provide a fire break. Coordination of water service should be encouraged with Jefferson County Public Utility District.
(b) [Policy No. 6] Public access along the saltwater shoreline should also be considered appropriate in order to link public tidelands in the area (see Park and Recreation Plan).
(5) Transportation.
(a) [Policy No. 7] Since Diamond Point and Sunshine Acres are geographically confined, roads within the development are not expected to carry large traffic volumes and road standards should be more rural in nature.
(b) [Policy No. 8] The Diamond Point Airport provides convenient private air service to the area. Maintenance of this airport should be implemented through appropriate adjacent land uses.
(c) [Policy No. 9] There are some roads within the rural center with unsafe intersections. Improvements to these intersections with Diamond Point Road should be implemented.
(d) Policy 10. Diamond Point Road has inadequate shoulders for bicycling and walking. Improvements should be made for nonmotorized transportation linking the Diamond Point area to the Olympic Discovery Trail.
(6) Land Uses.
(a) [Policy No. 11] Diamond Point and Sunshine Acres are private developments platted prior to County zoning ordinances being adopted. As a result, several areas are designated for commercial, industrial, and urban residential uses. The use of those areas for their original intent should be continued through this plan implementation. Commercial/industrial development shall be contained within the boundaries of the general commercial designation. Urban residential designations in this rural center are reserved for noncommercial land use.
(b) [Policy No. 12] Commercial, industrial, and residential support facilities for the proposed Miller Peninsula State Park should be provided by the Diamond Point/Sunshine Acres rural center.
(c) [Policy No. 13] Additional residential development in the rural center is limited to lands along the bluff between the State Park and Sunshine Acres, and some lands to the west of the RV Park. The lands along the bluff may be a candidate for a cluster development oriented to protecting the environmental features of the site.
(d) [Policy No. 14] Several of the plats have private covenants restricting future development to noncommercial uses. This plan does not supersede those covenants where the covenants are more restrictive than County ordinances. Where the County ordinances are more restrictive, the County ordinance applies. Applicants for nonresidential development should be advised of potential conflicts with private covenants in this area and homeowner associations notified of applications.
(e) [Policy No. 15] Setbacks and lot sizes should be similar to urban growth areas in the Sequim-Dungeness region.