31.03.475 Dungeness Valley neighborhood

31.03.475 Dungeness Valley neighborhood.

(1) Description. [Policy No. 1] This area is described as those lands north of Old Olympic Highway, west of the Dungeness River and east of Kitchen-Dick Road.

(a) [Policy No. 2] Several critical areas have been designated within this neighborhood planning area, including wetlands, Dungeness River, Matriotti Creek, 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] 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.

(c) [Policy No. 4] Considerable attention has been given to rehabilitating Matriotti Creek for fish habitat. Development along this creek segment should not impact Matriotti Creek and landowners are encouraged to work with State and local agencies in rehabilitating the stream.

(d) [Policy No. 5] Water quality is essential to the economic and environmental health in the Dungeness Valley. Numerous cultural and economic resources, such as finfish and shellfish, drinking water, and irrigation are dependent upon maintaining good water quality upstream and downstream, above and below ground. Prevention of degradation before it occurs is preferred over the expense of correction. Educational activities are encouraged as a method of preventing nonpoint pollution associated with land use in this area.

(3) Resource Lands. [Policy No. 6] The agricultural lands within this area include Olympic Game Farm, Clark Farm, several other farms along the Dungeness River, and agricultural lands at the intersection of Kitchen-Dick and Old Olympic Highway. Some of these lands may 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. Several of the Dungeness River parcels were designated as high candidates for open space conservation at public forums in 1994.

(a) [Policy No. 7] Several County roads within this neighborhood are primary roads for the circulation within the Sequim-Dungeness regional planning area, including Cays, Anderson, Old Olympic Highway, Woodcock, Sequim-Dungeness Way, Kitchen-Dick, and Lotzgesell or Hogback Roads. The County shall ensure that these roads continue to serve that function, and ways to minimize congestion caused by too many access points or turning movements should be sought.

(b) [Policy No. 8] 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) Open Space and Greenbelts. [Policy No. 9] The agricultural lands at the intersection of Kitchen-Dick and Old Olympic Highway have very high scenic value, in part due to their location along County arterials, and in part due to the proximity to a public recreation site (Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge). Several of these agricultural ownerships have also been previously divided into five-acre parcels, making them highly likely to convert to residential uses. These parcels should be high candidates for purchase of development rights or encouraging cluster forms of development that conserve open space values.

(6) Public Services and Facilities. [Policy No. 10] This neighborhood planning area includes several park and recreation facilities, including Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Dungeness Recreation Area, Cline Spit, Dungeness River Park (Ward Road) and Dungeness Boat Launch (Port). The County Park and Recreation Plan identifies additional acquisition of lands on Cline Spit and adjacent to the Dungeness Recreation Area. In addition, the County’s recent acquisition of Dungeness River property for park development may lead to other County park facilities along the River implementing the Dungeness River Greenway Concept Plan. There are several private recreation facilities within this area, such as the Dungeness Golf Course which provides recreation activity for the region.

(a) Policy 11. Due to the outstanding views of Dungeness Bay, several developments within the area occurred prior to zoning regulations, including Mains Farm, Dungeness Bay and Dungeness Beach plats. As a result, where there are no physical or natural limitations, further rural development can occur at suburban-rural residential densities (one home per acre).

(b) Policy 12. Lower residential densities should occur adjacent to designated fish and wildlife habitat corridors: along Matriotti Creek (one home per 2.4 or 4.8 acres); the Dungeness River (one home per 4.8 acres); and Dungeness Bay (one home per five acres) subject to optional innovative zoning techniques that are triggered by either specific neighborhood circumstances (overlay technique) or specific parcel criteria (cluster technique), except where a LAMIRD is designated according to the provisions of CCC 31.02.263.

(c) Policy 13. 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.

(d) Policy 14. Consider construction of a private or public golf course in this area as needed for the community, provided it is appropriately sited to address environmental, privacy and transportation concerns.