(a) Neighborhood natural and cultural features will be preserved;

(b) Neighborhood rural character including, but not limited to, agriculture, open/green space, visible night sky, quietness, clean air and water, and wildlife habitat will enhance property values and will remain the most important reason people choose to live in the neighborhood;

(c) Neighborhood transportation improvements will provide for safe, comfortable access for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children, while accommodating safe access (rather than just mobility for commuters) for motorized vehicles; and

(d) Neighborhood roads such as Black Diamond and Little River Roads will retain their rural character (small footprint, landform fitting quality) to preserve an intimacy and awareness of rural roadside landscape not obtainable on noisy, higher speed roads.

(a) Community Values. The community response ranged from positive to very positive in regards to the following aspects of neighborhood rural character: recreational opportunities on nearby public land (74 percent); proximity to the foothills and national park (84 percent); natural beauty of river/creek valleys (95 percent); living along a scenic country road (85 percent); lack of city traffic (90 percent); lack of city noise (91 percent); low density, diverse development patterns (83 percent); opportunities for farming, gardening, and animal raising (80 percent); presence of farms, pastures, and farm animals (86 percent); presence of wildlife (88 percent); clean air (94 percent); and space between neighbors (90 percent). Respondents also viewed proximity to Port Angeles (95 percent), independence of country living (89 percent), presence of the Black Diamond Fire Department (87 percent) and Community Hall (68 percent), and sense of belonging to a community (61 percent) as positive community values.

(b) Community Road System. Community residents noted they use neighborhood roads to access Port Angeles and neighborhood destinations, averaging 11 trips per week. Most respondents (92 percent) stated that traffic delays are not a significant problem currently on either Black Diamond or Little River Road.

Nonmotorized use of neighborhood roads included recreational walking (77 percent), bicycling (50 percent), and horse riding (12 percent), but only a small percentage of respondents indicated they walked (32 percent) or bicycled (28 percent) as an alternative mode of transportation (e.g., commuting); 58 percent said that the Black Diamond Road corridor was unsafe for nonmotorized uses (e.g., walking, biking, horse riding), with 69 percent indicating they would use this road corridor for nonmotorized transportation if it felt more pedestrian-friendly; 77 percent or more expressed concern about speeding, tailgating, and illegal passing as road safety issues.

(c) Vision for the Future. The community response favored incentives (60 percent) to reduce further neighborhood development and expressed support (76 percent) for a pedestrian, bicycle, and/or equestrian route through the Black Diamond – Little River Road corridor. The community opposed changes that support more intensive development on existing residential land (70 percent opposed), sale of state forest land for residential development (84 percent opposed), and road modifications enabling higher speeds and/or traffic volumes (84 percent opposed). Approximately 53 percent viewed extension of high-speed internet service as a positive change, with 37 percent being neutral on this issue. A neighborhood park or playfield was supported by nearly half (49 percent) of respondents, with 33 percent being neutral. Neighborhood bus service was supported by 42 percent of the respondents, with 38 percent being neutral.

(d) Upper Little River Road. The community supports keeping the upper Little River Road (between Lake Dawn and Black Diamond Roads) as a local-access-only road (87 percent support) and continuing the County policy to refrain from paving (77 percent support) this road segment to discourage increased traffic; 86 percent responded they would negatively view any change to the upper Little River Road that would encourage greater use as an alternative route for traffic to and from Hurricane Ridge and the Elwha Valley.

(a) Community History. The Black Diamond Valley was homesteaded in the late 1800s. Locals believe the area name originated from a nearby shake mill. Homesteading families wrestled a living from subsistence farming combined with cash paying jobs at a local mill, fish cannery, or logging operation. As time passed, some of the valley’s subsistence farms grew to become viable commercial operations. Dairy farms, beef ranches, poultry farms, and apple orchards dotted the valley. Donated land provided a site for the Community Hall that exists today. Homesteading families found time to help each other despite long days of hard work and everyone pitched in to build the Community Hall. The hall hosted neighborhood dances even before completion of the roof! High-spirited and rowdy dances attracted people from the valley and Port Angeles each week. People visited neighbors, courted potential suitors, danced, and perhaps sampled the locally produced moonshine. Later the U.S. Army commandeered the hall to bivouac soldiers during World War II. Today the Black Diamond Community Hall continues to serve as the focus for community club meetings, dances, cultural events, weddings, and political meetings.

(b) Rural Lands. The Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Zoning Map establishes three rural land designations for the Black Diamond Neighborhood that reflect both current and preferred future land use patterns. Neighborhood areas immediately south of US 101 and the Port Angeles Urban Growth Area are designated for rural neighborhood conservation densities (with a base density of one dwelling unit per five acres subject to optional innovative zoning techniques). The upper portion of Benson Road, and the Black Diamond Road area generally between Old Black Diamond Road to Baskins Road, are designated for rural low density (one dwelling unit per five acres). Rural Character Conservation (RCC) designations are established between neighborhood commercial forest land and rural low designations and along or near the Tumwater and Valley Creeks. The purpose of the RCC designation is to retain larger rural lot sizes (10 acres or larger), conserve natural areas and corridors, and provide for transition areas adjacent to commercial forest lands when land is divided to create lots for future development. These rural land designations are further described under CCC 31.04.220 through 31.04.230(2).

The community values current low residential densities, the natural beauty of the forested stream corridors, the presence of farms, pastures, and farm animals, open spaces between neighbors, and other natural and human rural open spaces. Balancing neighborhood growth and conservation of these features is a priority issue.

(c) Resource Lands. Forest lands of long-term commercial significance have been designated throughout the neighborhood. These forest lands are primarily located within neighborhood foothill and mountain areas, and are characterized by large tracts of federal, state, and private timber company forest land holdings, with some smaller private timber ownerships intermixed. State forest lands represent the largest neighborhood landowner.

Forestry is an appropriate utilization of the productive nature of neighborhood lands, and is an important part of the local economy. Nonforestry uses are limited in commercial forest lands consistent with the County-wide and Regional Comprehensive Plan goals and policies under CCC 31.02.140 and 31.04.215, respectively. Avoiding conversion and fragmentation of neighborhood forest lands by nonforestry uses is important to maintain forestry as a viable and preferred neighborhood land use.

Neighborhood areas located at the top of Harbor View Drive, in the vicinity of the Black Diamond and Little River intersection, and the east sections of the lower Little River Road are designated on the Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map as Commercial Forest/Mixed Residential (CFM) 5 or 20 Lands. These areas contain valued neighborhood forest lands, but have experienced some encroachment and fragmentation by residential development. Regional Plan policies under CCC 31.04.215(1)(c) for CFM designated lands support maximum residential densities at one dwelling per five acres (CFM-5) and one dwelling per 20 acres (CFM-20), and direct that new lot creation for development be clustered to retain most of the original parcel in a larger tract conducive to forestry.

(d) Critical Areas. The Little River, Valley Creek, Tumwater Creek, and Upper Dry Creek and most of their contributing watershed areas are located within this neighborhood. Wetlands are found throughout the neighborhood and are common along neighborhood streams and valleys. Large wetland complexes are located in the vicinity of Fredricksen, Wellman, and Diamond Vista Roads. Erosion and landslide hazard areas are common to the neighborhood foothill and mountain areas and along stream corridors.

(e) Open Space and Greenbelts. Neighborhood public and private forest lands, natural areas (e.g., wetlands), foothill areas, and stream corridors create neighborhood greenbelts and connected open spaces. These areas provide for a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for neighborhood residents and visitors, protect and recharge surface water and groundwater resources, provide for fish and wildlife habitat, and contribute greatly to the neighborhood’s scenic character. In addition to natural areas, human activities such as pastures, barns, animal raising, vineyards, and fields represent other valued features of neighborhood open spaces and landscapes. Retaining these features as homes are built on existing lots and land is divided to create lots for future development is a priority issue.

(f) Transportation. The Black Diamond Neighborhood is a rural area with limited public facilities and services. County roads are a major part of the neighborhood infrastructure. The neighborhood contains three primary road systems – Benson, Black Diamond, and Little River Roads. The Benson Road system serves the rural neighborhood west of the Tumwater Creek valley providing access to US 101 and the Port Angeles Urban Growth Area.

The Black Diamond Road system is functionally classified as a minor collector and serves as the only direct access to the city of Port Angeles for neighborhood residents living between Tumwater and Valley Creeks. It provides for a central north and south travel route ending at the Little River Road in the southern portion of the neighborhood.

The upper Little River Road (east of Black Diamond Road) provides access to state forest and recreational lands and connects to the Lake Dawn area and the road to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. The lower Little River Road (west of Black Diamond Road) ends at Olympic Hot Springs Road, the road that leads to the Olympic National Park Elwha Valley entrance. The Little River Road is predominantly bordered by undeveloped private and public forest lands, but also provides access to a low density rural population near and west of Black Diamond Road. Transportation improvements or public information (e.g., signage) that would encourage more non-neighborhood traffic to and from park entrances is a concern of many residents.

Retaining the rural character along neighborhood roads is a major area of community interest. Local residents regard Black Diamond and Little River Roads as not just a commuter route, but as a community public space and local access corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians of all ages. The winding, “landform” fitting, and typically narrower geometrics of these roads are an essential feature of neighborhood character and scenery and provide a rural quality that deserves preservation. These characteristics encourage slower traffic speeds that are a vital element of neighborhood rural character and public safety. Slower traffic speeds also decrease the traffic noise and thus contribute to the quietness of the neighborhood.

Neighborhood roads are important public spaces where residents take a walk, jog, meet their neighbors, and let the children walk or bike. Providing for safe comfortable access for nonmotorized users, especially on the Black Diamond and lower Little River Roads, is a neighborhood priority issue because with increasing motorized traffic this safe access is being lost. The community supports a separate trail through the Black Diamond – Little River (lower) road corridor.

Transportation improvements that would increase traffic volumes, especially non-neighborhood traffic, are a concern of neighborhood residents. The community opposes connecting neighborhood road systems across Valley Creek to Port Angeles, or across Tumwater Creek to the Benson Road system.

(g) Water Supply. Water service is provided to this neighborhood primarily by the Black Diamond Water District and by individual private wells. The Dry Creek Water Association also serves a small area of the neighborhood in the Benson Road area near US 101. The Black Diamond Water District draws water from the south branch of the Little River, and appears to have allocated nearly all the water rights that it currently has available. The availability of additional water from Little River and other sources is a limiting factor for neighborhood development.

(h) Wastewater Treatment and Disposal. Existing and new development within the neighborhood is served by either individual or community on-site sewage treatment systems. Public sewer from the city of Port Angeles is not available to serve neighborhood development.

(i) Black Diamond Community Club and Hall. The Black Diamond Community Club has been a community organization for over sixty-five (65) years, with the Black Diamond Community Hall being the focal point. Community volunteers built the Black Diamond Community Hall in 1940 and residents maintain and support this facility and the community water system. The Hall serves as the focal point for potlucks, bake sales, and other community functions including a monthly contra dance that draws participants from the entire North Olympic Peninsula. The Black Diamond Community Club uses the Hall for its monthly meetings.

(j) Police, Fire, and Emergency Services. The Clallam County Sheriff Department provides for neighborhood protective services. The Black Diamond Fire Station is one of five volunteer fire stations in Fire District No. 2. The station became operational in 1981. The station house is located on Black Diamond Road adjacent to the Community Hall. It was built by community members on land leased to the fire district by the Black Diamond Community Club. The station is staffed by community volunteers (currently five) who are on call for emergencies.

(k) Parks and Recreation. The neighborhood contains city, state, and federal public forest and recreational lands, and borders the Olympic National Park. Keeping neighborhood access to these public lands is a priority. The neighborhood also contains and provides access to the following public trails:

(a) Policy 1. Consider community-sponsored neighborhood planning activities such as the 2003 Black Diamond Community Survey.

(b) Policy 2. Support continued Black Diamond neighborhood involvement consistent with the Regional Plan goals and policies under CCC 31.04.150(3) and 31.04.155(4).

(c) Policy 3. Incorporate context-sensitive design into the community planning process for transportation improvements to neighborhood public roads consistent with Clallam County Administrative Policies for public input on Six-Year Transportation Improvement Projects.

(a) Policy 4. Avoid changes to the Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Zoning Map and implementing development regulations that support more intensive rural residential densities and uses that diminish rural character as defined under CCC 31.02.050.

(b) Policy 5. Promote retention of larger rural lots and contiguous open spaces to retain rural character and support small-to-moderate-scale neighborhood-based timber management, farms, pasture, animal raising, and other rural resource uses consistent with CCC 31.04.220(10) and 31.04.230(2).

(c) Policy 6. Support incentives and voluntary programs that reduce development pressures in this neighborhood such as the County’s current use tax incentive ordinance.

(a) Policy 7. Retain the large tracts of contiguous, private, and public forest lands common to the southern and western areas of the Black Diamond Neighborhood in commercial forestry designations.

(b) Policy 8. Support keeping the significant acreage of neighborhood State forest lands in public ownership. State forest lands should remain designated as Commercial Forest land if sold or traded to reduce pressures to convert these areas and adjacent lands to nonforestry uses.

(c) Policy 9. Minimize land use conflicts and safety risks at the interface of neighborhood rural and commercial forest land designations. Development regulations on adjacent rural lands should:

(a) Policy 10. Retain forest cover within and along the ravines and valleys of Tumwater Creek, Little River, Valley Creek, and Upper Dry Creek corridors to protect public safety, maintain water quality, and as linear fish and wildlife corridors through the neighborhood. These areas when left in a natural state stabilize the geologically unstable ravine and bluff environments, filter out sediments and pollutants before they reach streams and shorelines, and provide for fish and wildlife habitat and movement corridors through neighborhood rural lands.

(b) Policy 11. Allow for transfer of development rights from critical areas and connecting open space corridors designated on the Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan Open Space Overlay Corridor Map (Ordinance 643, 1998), as amended, to designated receiving areas within the Port Angeles Urban Growth Area.

(c) Policy 12. Support open space tax benefits to landowners who conserve neighborhood stream corridors, wetlands, erosion and landslide hazard areas, and other neighborhood environmentally-sensitive areas.

(d) Policy 13. Encourage development patterns that protect contiguous networks of neighborhood natural open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas.

(a) Valley Creek. Policy 14. Conduct general habitat improvements, such as revegetation, restoration of channel configuration, and placement of instream structures. Continue rehabilitation of estuarine habitat. Replace or improve culverts to correct fish passage problems.

(b) Tumwater Creek. Policy 15. Recognize that Tumwater Creek has good potential for successful restoration of natural functions. Incorporate large woody debris recruitment, and thinning for conifer growth to achieve habitat enhancement. Improve fish habitat through restoration of the natural configuration of the stream, establishment of new vegetation, and placement of instream structures and gravel for spawning.

(c) Tumwater Creek. Policy 16. In lower sections, conduct habitat improvement projects which mitigate the effects of industrial development while providing a focal point for educational and tourist activities.

(d) Tumwater Creek. Policy 17. In rural sections where agricultural practices are contributing to degradation, eliminate animal access and revegetate stream banks.

(e) Dry Creek. Policy 18. To improve summertime flows, work with landowners to eliminate the impoundment on Cameron Road at the headwaters of Dry Creek.

(f) Little River. Policy 19. The Little River is currently in good condition; land use regulations and watershed management should be stringently applied to protect it from potential negative impacts.

(a) Policy 21. The steep-sided creek ravines form natural greenbelts in this neighborhood. Commercial forestry resource lands provide for retention of many open space values. Open space will occur as a result of wetland protection, stream buffering, and rural character conservation development that require large, rural sized lots to be retained in rural areas.

(b) Policy 22. Owners of wetlands and stream ravines should be encouraged to file conservation easements on these portions of their property to protect them from development, provide open spaces and gain tax advantage. Owners of critical areas identified on the Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan Open Space Overlay Corridor Map (Ordinance 643, 1998) should receive the advantage of qualifying for open space taxation. Critical areas contained in the open space overlay should be protected and linked whenever possible in rural character conservation designations by ensuring that the large, rural-sized parcels retained as a result of development protect critical areas.

(c) Policy 23. Clallam County should support keeping recreational opportunities associated with neighborhood public lands and trails open and accessible.

(d) Policy 24. Explore community and landowner interest in expansion and connection of public trail systems within the neighborhood.

(a) (Goal 5). Promote safe, motorized and nonmotorized use of neighborhood roads.

(b) (Goal 6). Retain the rural character of the Little River and Black Diamond transportation corridors.

(c) (Goal 7). Keep traffic volumes low on the upper Little River Road and retain the rural character of this forest and recreational access travel corridor.