31.03.465 Dungeness-Jamestown neighborhood.
(1) Description. [Policy No. 1] This area is described generally as the area north of Old Olympic Highway and the Sequim urban growth area, and east of the Dungeness River, to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (For Sunland policies, please refer to CCC 31.03.330.)
(2) Critical Areas.
(a) [Policy No. 2] Several critical areas have been designated within this neighborhood planning area, including wetlands, creeks and rivers (Dungeness, Bell, Cassalery, Cooper, Gierin, Meadowbrook), the Strait of Juan de Fuca, lands with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water and some erosion-prone soils.
(b) [Policy No. 3] Some of the largest and most important wetland complexes are within this area. Many of these wetland complexes are associated with the saltwater shoreline, and have several fish and wildlife habitat functions. Land uses near these wetland complexes should be for low density rural uses.
(c) [Policy No. 4] The Dungeness River has been designated as an open space corridor for the benefit of fish, wildlife, flood protection, people and open space. Maintaining the river corridor for these benefits is critical.
(3) Resource Lands.
(a) [Policy No. 5] This area includes considerable acreage designated as interim agricultural lands. The only agricultural block that is not facing the possibility of more intense use of the land due to its proximity to growth areas is the block which includes Grays Marsh and lands along Schmuck Road.
(b) [Policy No. 6] The agricultural land along Sequim-Dungeness Way and Woodcock Road may see more intense uses of the land if development rights are not acquired. The proximity of this land to major roads, the previous platting into five-acre parcels, and the scenic open space values these parcels bring make them a candidate for purchase of development rights. Other alternatives to consider for these lands is cluster development with open space retained, preferably in continued agricultural use.
(c) [Policy No. 7] Some of the agricultural lands along the Dungeness River may also be high priority candidates for purchase of development rights, either due to pressures for conversion to residential uses, caused by “vested” five-acre surveys, and/or conservation of lands along the Dungeness River for other benefits. Several of the Dungeness River parcels were designated as high candidates for open space conservation at public forums in 1994.
(4) Transportation.
(a) [Policy No. 8] Please refer to CCC 31.03.130, Transportation Inventory and Analysis, which indicates that Sequim-Dungeness Way, Old Olympic Highway and Woodcock Road (east of Sequim-Dungeness Way) may require improvements in the future.
(b) Policy 9. Designated bicycle routes in this area include Old Olympic Highway, Port Williams Road, and Brown Road. Connectors to the Olympic Discovery Trail such as along Sequim-Dungeness Way, Woodcock Road, Evans Road, and Towne Road should be developed.
(c) [Policy No. 10] A nonmotorized trail segment is a possibility along the Dungeness River if the landowners agree. The Dungeness River Greenway Concept Plan identifies use of the dike on the east side of the River between Sequim-Dungeness and Woodcock for potential public access.
(5) Public Services and Facilities.
(a) [Policy No. 11] The County Parks and Recreation Plan has identified acquisition of tidelands from the Port Williams Park either north or south. This area has also been tentatively identified by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for public acquisition of both shoreline and upland habitat.
(b) [Policy No. 12] Due to the historic high densities allowed in the Three Crabs Road and Dungeness area, and the potential for water quality problems, consideration to community options for sewage disposal should be given, such as community drainfields.
(c) [Policy No. 13] The City of Sequim’s sewer treatment plant and outfall are within this neighborhood planning area. Clallam County shall work cooperatively with the City of Sequim to enable the city to expand their sewer treatment facility to meet future service needs.
(6) Land Use.
(a) Policy 14. This neighborhood includes the historic community of “Dungeness,” Three Crabs and parts of the Jamestown area. Encourage the continued development of “Dungeness” as an historic community providing services to tourists and local residents, consistent with the need to protect adjacent critical areas from adverse impacts.
(i) Development within “Dungeness” should focus on the old townsite area, and not be oriented towards Sequim-Dungeness Way.
(ii) Commercial uses allowed within this rural center should be limited to the types of uses that serve the local community and tourists, such as overnight accommodations, restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, taverns, etc.
(b) Policy 15. Development in this area should avoid placing greater impacts on the Dungeness River, wetlands, and saltwater shorelines from stormwater runoff, loss of sensitive area buffers and riparian zones and human disturbance.
(c) Policy 16. Rural residential densities within this area should be set based on natural physical boundaries and natural limitations. The following principles should apply:
(i) Land immediately north and southwest of the City of Sequim should be designated for Rural Neighborhood Conservation (five-acre base density) subject to optional innovative zoning techniques that are triggered by either specific neighborhood circumstances (overlay technique) or specific parcel criteria (cluster technique);
(ii) Land which is within or in close proximity to wetland complexes and the Dungeness River should be designated for rural low densities (one home per five acres);
(iii) Land north of West Sequim Bay Road to Sequim Bay, outside the City of Sequim urban growth area, should be designated for Rural Neighborhood Conservation (five-acre base density) subject to optional innovative zoning techniques that are triggered by either specific neighborhood circumstances (overlay technique) or specific parcel criteria (cluster technique).
(iv) Land outside of wetland, fish and wildlife areas, but not in close proximity to Sequim, should be designated for Rural Neighborhood Conservation (five-acre base density) subject to optional innovative zoning techniques that are triggered by either specific neighborhood circumstances (overlay technique) or specific parcel criteria (cluster technique).
(d) Policy 17. Discourage incompatible uses on lands adjacent to agricultural lands so long as the agricultural use continues and is viable. Work towards long-term conservation through tax incentives and purchase of development rights.