(1) BELIEF: Independence, private property rights and freedom from government intrusion are strongly valued within the RPC Planning Area. Land use regulation should incorporate these values and only compromise them when (1) highly significant objectives essential to the public health, safety or welfare cannot be attained in any other manner, or (2) the other beliefs expressed herein cannot be furthered in any other manner.

Segregation of land uses into generally defined and flexible residential, commercial and industrial zoning classifications is a desirable means of preventing incompatible adjacent land uses and stabilizing property values.

JUSTIFICATION: In the last five (5) years almost all new housing construction has consisted of setting up mobile homes. No multifamily dwellings were created in that five (5) years. At the same time there is a growing housing deficit that will increase dramatically over the next two (2) decades. Broadly defined residential zoning classifications will help prevent land use regulation as serving a hindrance to the development of new housing. With ample available land to buffer different types of residential developments, concerns over conflicts between different types of housing is not as great in the Forks community as it may be in other areas.

Objective A: New residential development should continue to occur in the east section of the City between Ford Park and the Thomas Additions. The area is well suited for development because it is surrounded by residential development and it has been subject to a high degree of subdivision activity in the last couple years.

Policy 1: The City will zone this area to ensure that various types and densities of housing are permitted in this location. This will be accomplished by a residential zoning designation that will provide for maximum flexibility in permitted types of housing.

Objective B: The City of Forks will undertake actions to promote residential development that will allow pedestrian access to commercial areas, employment, schools, and park or recreational areas.

Policy 1: The City of Forks will ensure that residential zones are placed near the downtown core area of Forks to ensure that there will be residential areas that are pedestrian accessible.

Objective C: The City of Forks will encourage the development of multifamily housing, single-family units, and other types of housing and will take steps to ensure that these developments are incorporated with the existing commercial and community structures within the City.

Policy 1: The City of Forks will implement flexible residential zones that will allow for multifamily housing, single-family units, and other housing types throughout the City.

Policy 2: The City should encourage guest houses and auxiliary apartments in residential zones as long as the unit maintains an appropriate residential character and quality living environment.

(2) BELIEF: Home-based industries are an essential part of the economic vitality of the planning area and should be permitted in all zoning classifications to the extent compatible with surrounding land uses.

JUSTIFICATION: With a twenty (20) percent unemployment rate and a relatively large proportion of the population on public assistance, it is clear that all efforts possible must be made to encourage economic development. Home-based industries can accomplish this goal by increasing the feasibility of starting new businesses.

Policy 1: Residential zoning classifications will allow for home-based industries. These classifications shall permit home occupations or professions which are incidental to or carried on in a dwelling place and do not change its residential character in a manner that is disruptive to adjoining property owners.

(3) BELIEF: Local government should encourage affordable and special housing and the rehabilitation of substandard housing.

JUSTIFICATION: Rehabilitation of substandard housing, lack of variety in affordable housing and shortages in special housing are areas that local government could improve upon through coordination of local resources or acquisition of funds and grants. Although mobile homes are in plentiful supply at affordable rates, there is almost no other form of affordable housing available for low income persons. Furthermore, as the rate of new construction increases, the percentage of affordable housing may decrease and efforts should be made to mitigate this trend. Special housing for the elderly, such as assisted living communities, is not widely available and may be one reason why Forks does not have a large elderly population. Substandard housing is a major problem in the City of Forks as evidenced by common experience and a finding of the Clallam County Assessor’s Office that twenty-seven (27) percent of the housing stock in the City of Forks is in poor or fair condition, the lowest of five (5) categories used by the Assessor’s Office to classify the adequacy of housing. At the same time government funds are available for subsidized multifamily housing and other special housing which have not yet been fully utilized.

Objective A: The opportunity for all residents to purchase or rent affordable, safe and sanitary housing should be increased. The needs of the current residents should be carefully examined in order to direct new housing development, rehabilitated housing, and assisted housing to where it is most needed.

Policy 1: State and federal housing programs should be reviewed and recommendations made regarding future grant applications, especially in the areas of multifamily housing and housing for the elderly.

Objective B: The City shall increase the opportunities for residents with special housing needs.

Policy 1: The City of Forks shall have flexible residential zones that allow for different classes of group homes.

Policy 2: Funding opportunities for the development of group homes and facilities for the elderly should be studied.

Objective C: The City shall focus on the rehabilitation of substandard housing and the redevelopment of deteriorated housing.

Policy 1: The City of Forks should facilitate rehabilitation efforts for its substandard housing stock by a combination of public and private investment. One manner in so doing would be the creation of a revolving fund for private rehabilitation efforts. Another potential project could be the provision of information services for people who wish to know how to rehabilitate their homes.

Policy 2: The City of Forks shall facilitate coordination with neighborhood-based groups or other volunteer organizations to promote rehabilitation and community revitalization efforts.

Policy 3: The City of Forks shall continue to implement its code enforcement program for dangerous buildings and shall consider incentives to motivate owners to repair and improve maintenance of their structures.