31.03.485 Agnew neighborhood.
(1) Description. [Policy No. 1] The Agnew neighborhood is described generally as that area north of Old Olympic Highway or the abandoned railroad corridor, east of Siebert’s Creek, and west of Kitchen-Dick Road.
(2) Critical Areas.
(a) [Policy No. 2] Critical areas designated in this area include Siebert’s Creek, McDonnell Creek, Strait of Juan de Fuca, some areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water, and geologically hazardous areas associated with creek ravines and marine bluffs.
(b) [Policy No. 3] Both Siebert’s and McDonnell creeks are significant fish and wildlife habitat corridors. Development adjacent to these corridors shall protect the corridors through maintenance and enhancement of riparian vegetation, control of stormwater runoff, and low intensity land uses which cause minimal disturbance to fish and wildlife.
(c) [Policy No. 4] Development along unstable marine bluffs should be set back sufficiently to minimize any public danger and control stormwater runoff to minimize erosion impacts.
(3) Resource Lands. [Policy No. 5] This area includes significant acreage designated as interim agricultural lands. Some of the agricultural lands pose a high potential for conversion to more intense uses of the land caused by “vested” five-acre surveys, while other lands, such as the Weyerhaeuser Tree Farm, have not been platted into five-acre parcels.
(4) Transportation.
(a) [Policy No. 6] Both Old Olympic Highway and Kitchen-Dick Road are regionally significant roads. Development along these roads should cause minimal conflicts or congestion with the primary purpose of these roads to move people and goods. Access points to these roads shall be consolidated where possible, and development which has significant traffic volumes should require installation of turn lanes.
(b) [Policy No. 7] Old Olympic Highway through the Siebert’s Creek curve is identified on the Six (6) Year Transportation Plan for realignment. This will increase safety on this road segment by avoiding a dangerous curve with icy conditions in the winter.
(c) [Policy No. 8] Old Olympic Highway and Kitchen-Dick Road are both designated as bicycle routes. Shoulders should be adequate to safely carry all nonmotorized traffic.
(5) Open Space and Greenbelts. [Policy No. 9] The agricultural lands along Old Olympic Highway have very high scenic value due to their location along a regionally significant road. Parcels along this road 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.
(a) [Policy No. 10] The Public Utility District operates a water system serving portions of this neighborhood planning area. Private water systems also serve the Monterra development, which is also proposed to be intertied with the Solmar water system.
(b) [Policy No. 11] Public water service in this area shall not result in or be justification for higher density than that anticipated by this neighborhood plan.
(7) Land Use.
(a) [Policy No. 12] Since adoption of the first zoning ordinance, the Agnew neighborhood has been very vocal and supportive of maintaining low rural residential densities (one home per five acres). These rural densities shall be continued through implementation of this plan for those lands north of Old Olympic Highway, west of Kitchen-Dick Road and east of Siebert’s Creek. An exception to these densities is the Blue Ribbon Farm development, which has been previously platted into one acre lots. This development pattern is now predominant in that area and may be continued.
(b) [Policy No. 13] The predominant land use in this area should be rural residential and agricultural uses. Home-based enterprises, bed and breakfast inn facilities and other nonintrusive uses might be appropriate if adequately screened and compatible with adjoining land uses.
(c) [Policy No. 14] Discourage incompatible uses on lands adjacent to agricultural lands so long as the agricultural use continues and is still viable. Work towards long-term conservation through tax incentives and purchase of development rights.