Urban Very Low Density (VLD)

Urban very low density designations (zero to two units/acre) should be utilized in areas with natural limitations in order to protect areas with wetlands, steep slopes or areas highly impacted by stormwater. Urban very low density designations should also be utilized in areas that are already largely developed at this density and whose natural limitations do not allow for redevelopment at higher densities.

The land should be capable of supporting very low density but urban type development with minimal natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, have only a small component of wetlands and be relatively free of flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. These low density areas could be placed adjacent to resource lands since their impact would be less than more intensive development. This designation is mapped at the periphery of the urban growth area, in areas where low density is desirable such as under airport flight lines, or in portions of the urban growth area that have already developed at this density.

Urban services should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Collector roads should be within a half mile of this designation. Transportation networks should be able to handle traffic flows.

This designation should tend to residential uses and may include single-family and mobile home subdivisions at the same densities as surrounding developments. This designation is appropriate where existing small scale agricultural uses (animal raising, truck farming, greenhouses) are occurring.

Urban Low Density (LD)

This land use designation provides for a mix of duplex, fourplex and single-family residences in UGA’s. Densities will range from two to nine units per acre. These areas should be located near existing cities, where possible, since sewer systems are needed in such areas. Urban low density designations will be located in close proximity to existing neighborhood commercial areas but residences would be buffered from this intensive commercial use by public uses whenever this is possible.

Since a large percentage of each lot will be covered with structures and additional area will be impervious surfaces supporting roads, the land should be capable of supporting intensive development with minimal natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, be relatively free of wetlands and flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. This designation is mapped in areas which have experienced development at these densities within the urban growth area, such as 4 Seasons Ranch and Gales Addition.

Urban services, including sewer should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Arterials or collector roads should abut this designation. Transportation networks should be able to handle traffic flows.

Area should tend to residential uses and may include single-family and multifamily (up to fourplexes) residential developments and mobile home subdivisions at the same densities as surrounding developments. Existing and planned neighborhood commercial areas and employment centers should be in close proximity but should be buffered from this intensive residential land use where possible by public uses.

Urban Very Low/Low Density (VLD/LD)

The purpose of this land use designation is to provide for low density urban areas within UGAs. This land use designation will allow development rights from critical areas and some areas experiencing downzoning to be utilized. Density allowed by right will be up to two units per acre but a property owner in this designation can purchase development rights from owners of such rights and build up to nine units/acre.

The land should be capable of supporting low density but urban type development with minimal natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, have only a small component of wetlands and be relatively free of flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. These low density areas could be placed adjacent to resource lands since their impact would be less than more intensive development. These areas should be located at the periphery of the urban growth area.

Urban services should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Collector roads should be within a half mile of this designation. Transportation networks should be able to handle traffic flows.

This designation should tend to residential uses and may include single-family and mobile home subdivisions at the same densities as surrounding developments. This designation is appropriate where existing small scale agricultural uses (animal raising, truck farming, greenhouses) are occurring.

Urban Moderate Density (MD)

The purpose of this land use designation is to provide for a mix of multifamily and single-family residences at moderate urban densities inside urban growth areas. Densities of up to 15 units per acre would be permitted. These areas should be located immediately adjacent to existing cities and within walking distance of existing arterials, since it is anticipated that densities will be high enough to support public transit and that sewer systems will be needed.

Since a large percentage of each lot will be covered with structures and additional area will be impervious surfaces supporting roads, the land should be capable of supporting intensive development with minimal natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, be free of wetlands, flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. Urban residential moderate density has been mapped in areas bordering the commercial designations north and south of Highway 101 on the east side of the Port Angeles urban growth area to serve as a buffer between commercial development and residential areas already developed at lesser densities.

Urban services, including sewer, should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Arterials or collector roads should abut this designation. Transportation networks should be able to handle traffic flows.

Area should tend to residential uses and may include single-family and multifamily residential developments and mobile home parks at the same densities as surrounding developments. Existing and planned neighborhood commercial areas and employment centers should be in close proximity but should be buffered from this intensive residential land use where possible by public uses.

Urban Neighborhood Commercial (UNC)

The purpose of this land use designation is to provide for limited commercial services which meet the shopping needs of local neighborhoods within urban growth areas. These areas are characterized by a high degree of compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Compatibility is achieved through controlling the scale of commercial buildings, ensuring that most commercial uses are focused on Highway 101, requiring commercial design and layout which screens residential areas from intensive lights, storage and parking areas.

Since each lot will be covered with structures or paved parking the land should be capable of supporting intensive development with no natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, be free of wetlands and flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource potential. Development will not impact resource lands. Urban neighborhood commercial designations should be located only in existing commercial use areas primarily in the eastern UGA. The small urban neighborhood commercial area on the west side of Port Angeles should not be allowed to expand westward in order to avoid the strip commercial development which has occurred on the eastern side of the UGA.

Urban services, including sewer should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Public water systems should be available. Arterials should pass through or abut this designation. The transportation network should be able to handle high traffic flows. Businesses and high density residential uses should be designed for transit and pedestrian accessibility and should have streetside landscaping.

Area should tend to neighborhood commercial uses including restaurants, small scale grocery stores, small scale employment centers with associated retail uses. Multifamily residential developments, small scale storage facilities. Screened mobile home parks and multifamily uses are preferred uses in the portion of the neighborhood commercial areas not directly fronting on Highway 101.

Urban Commercial Center (UC)

The purpose of this land use designation is to provide for commercial uses serving the entire region in urban growth areas with an incorporated city. These areas should be located on Highway 101 at intersections with collectors or at existing stop light locations. Urban commercial centers must hold large vacant parcels for utilization by major retailers.

Since each lot will be covered with structures or paved parking the land should be capable of supporting intensive development with no natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, be free of wetlands and flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. This designation should only occur at major intersections of Highway 101 and collectors or where existing stop lights serve existing regional development.

Urban services, including sewer should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Public water systems should serve the area. Arterials should pass through or abut this designation and road should be able to handle high traffic flow.

Area should be a mix of regional commercial uses including indoor malls, auto malls, regional service suppliers, restaurants, large scale grocery stores, motels, and large scale employment centers with associated retail uses.

Industrial (I)

The purpose of this land use designation is to provide for industrial development which has impacts which are difficult to control such as heavy truck traffic, noise, vibration, light, glare and odors. This designation must usually be well separated from residential development to avoid conflicts; light industrial designations can be used for this purpose.

Since each lot will be covered with large structures or paved parking the land should be capable of supporting intensive development with no natural constraints. Land should be flat (zero to five percent slopes), have well drained soils, be free of wetlands and flood, landslide, seismic or erosion hazards. It is particularly important that heavy industrial sites be located where adverse effects on ground or surface water can be avoided.

The area has minimal natural resource management potential. Development of the area will have little detrimental impact on resource lands. This designation is mapped where existing industrial land uses are well established.

Urban services, including sewer and water should be available or capable of being extended within the planning time frame. Arterials should pass through or abut this designation. Location near an airport is preferred to allow easy access to air freight services. This designation should only occur within established urban growth areas and should generally abut the city limits.

Some of the uses which have occurred in unincorporated urban growth areas include sawmills, truck repair shops, small scale manufacturing and storage facilities. Much of this land is currently vacant although some sites have been used in the past for log storage and sawmills.

Open Space Overlay (OS)

The purpose of this land use designation is to identify open space features which are usually unbuildable due to natural constraints such as wetlands, steep slopes, extreme landslide hazard and extreme erosion hazard which should be preserved to protect property, habitat or some other desired quality.

The land are usually unbuildable due to natural constraints such as wetlands, steep slopes, extreme landslide hazard and extreme erosion hazard. Slopes will range from level (wetlands) to steep (greater than 40 percent), have well drained to poorly drained soils, and may have a substantial component of wetlands, floodplains, seismic and landslide hazards.

The area has resource management potential but may have higher value for wildlife habitat, scenic value or watershed protection. The Growth Management Act requires such lands to be located within and between urban growth areas and suggested that they be used for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails and connection of critical areas. Designation as open space does not necessarily imply public ownership or the right to public use. This designation is mapped in conjunction with critical areas, wildlife habitat corridors and in some areas near Port Angeles experiencing downzoning.

Open space lands should be located within and between urban growth areas. The steep landslide prone ravines in the Port Angeles planning area are one example of open space lands. Access points to open space lands are needed but few other public services are needed.

This area is generally vacant ground due to its natural constraints on building.