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Chapter 31.06
WESTERN REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANSections:
31.06.010 RPC vision statement.
31.06.020 RPC belief statements.
31.06.030 Mission statement.
31.06.040 Vision.
31.06.050 Transportation – Inventory and analysis.
31.06.060 Transportation policies.
31.06.070 Public facilities and services.
31.06.080 Public facilities and services – Policies.
31.06.090 Rural land – Vision.
31.06.100 Rural land – Principles.
31.06.110 Rural land – Classifications.
31.06.120 Rural land – Definitions.
31.06.130 Rural land – Use matrix.
31.06.140 Rural land – Private property rights and critical area protection.
SOURCE: ADOPTED:
Ord. No. 583, 1995 11/07/95
AMENDED SOURCE: ADOPTED:
Ord. No. 725, 2002 08/06/02
Ord. No. 804, 2006 12/19/06
31.06.010 RPC vision statement.
The Western Clallam County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) is a planning commission formulated by joint agreement of Clallam County and the City of Forks. Its mandate is to create a comprehensive land use plan for an area in Western Clallam County that is defined by the borders of the Quillayute Valley School District, as detailed in the attached map. This comprehensive plan will be submitted directly to the Clallam County Commissioners and the Forks City Council. The RPC serves as the first cooperative planning venture between Clallam County and the City of Forks.
31.06.020 RPC belief statements.
The residents of the RPC planning area believe that:
(1) 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: (a) highly significant objectives essential to the public health, safety or welfare cannot be attained in any other manner, or (b) the other beliefs expressed herein cannot be furthered in any other manner.
(2) Development should be encouraged and facilitated by land use regulation that is simple, user friendly, and inexpensive in application for both government and property owners.
(3) The rural character of the RPC planning areas should be encouraged.
(4) Regulations that reduce the value or use of private property shall be minimized. All land owners shall be fully compensated for any such regulation.
(5) Proper planning should promote the efficient construction and use of capital facilities.
(6) Large development projects can place a strain on municipal services to the detriment of other users. Large developments should mitigate these impacts.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) Land use regulation should not impose burdens upon existing land uses due to the subsequent development of adjacent, incompatible land uses.
(10) The “grandfathering” of land uses is fundamental to the protection of private property rights and is of the highest importance to the people of the RPC planning area. Existing land uses shall not be rendered invalid nonconforming uses by changes in land use regulation.
(11) Public lands make up a large part of the RPC planning area. How this land is managed impacts the citizens and communities of the area significantly. Local citizens shall be entitled to full participation and representation on the uses of public lands in their region in order to help ensure a more stable economy and environment for the local communities to preserve the local culture, heritage and customs.
31.06.030 Mission statement.
The Regional Planning Commission’s mission is to formulate a comprehensive land use plan that strikes a responsible balance between private property rights, economic diversity and the quality of the environment.
31.06.040 Vision.
The Regional Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan will serve as the foundation for land use regulation that will be simple, minimally intrusive and inexpensive to apply. This regulation will facilitate economic development. The Comprehensive Plan will also serve to encourage the rural character of the RPC planning area and to segregate the planning area into residential, commercial and industrial uses in a manner that is compatible with existing land uses but also stabilizes property values and promotes compatibility of adjacent land uses. The Comprehensive Plan will promote the efficient construction and use of local government capital facilities and the availability of affordable, quality housing for all. The Comprehensive Plan shall also serve as a tool to increase local input in the federal land use decision making process.
31.06.050 Transportation – Inventory and analysis.
(1) GMA Goals.
(a) Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with County and City comprehensive plans.
(b) Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.
(2) Definition. The transportation system is composed of air, water, and land transportation facilities and services, including highways and streets, paths, trails and sidewalks, transit, airports, and ports.
(3) Circulation System. The transportation and circulation system should function to serve the land use patterns established by the Comprehensive Plan. For example, rural areas should be served by a transportation system designed for rural uses while urban areas should be served by a circulation system designed to serve urban uses. The transportation system should also focus on connections, either between urban centers such as from Forks to Port Angeles, or from Clallam Bay to Forks, or between different “modes” of travel, such as automobiles to public transit. Some parts of the circulation system in this area serve County-wide and State-wide interests, such as Highway 101, Burnt Mountain Road, LaPush Road, and the Quillayute Valley Airport. It is imperative that the County-wide and State-wide interests are considered when making land use or facility decisions affecting these systems.
(4) Land Use Coordination. In the past, land use planning and transportation planning were not always coordinated. Impacts from growth on transportation facilities were seldom considered. Transportation planning was little more than remedying existing conditions rather than preventing deterioration of service. Conversely, roads and highways were built in rural areas which encouraged the conversion of these areas into higher densities or commercial centers. The Clallam County Comprehensive Plan indicates that the transportation system should be consistent with the land use plan.
(5) Level of Service. Level of service standards measuring the degree of traffic congestion are used to serve as a gauge to judge the performance of the transportation system. Level of service is ranked from “A” (free flowing, uncongested) to “F” (highly congested, failing). When land use assumptions are made based on expected population growth and subsequent traffic demand, transportation engineers determine whether the transportation system can accommodate the increased demand by using level of service (LOS) standards. Level of service standards are based on average daily traffic (ADT), posted speed limits and characteristics of the area that the road serves (rural, suburban, and urban).
The minimum level of service established in the County-wide Comprehensive Plan for County roads is LOS “C.” Minimum level of service for State Highways is LOS “D,” as prescribed by the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO)1 These minimum standards indicate a traffic condition where flow of traffic is generally stable, but speeds are controlled by volume of traffic. This condition confines the drivers speed and freedom to maneuver and results in a poor level of comfort for the driver. Figure 2 indicates that all County roads are currently operating at or above these standards.
The forecast of future traffic on County roads in this Plan are based on two (2) methods: projected population growth2 and build-out3 potential based on proposed land use designations and their corresponding allowed densities. The latter is determined by first, examining the number of existing residences, businesses and other traffic generating entities within the region, and relating this to the average daily traffic counts for the road(s) serving the area. Next, using Clallam County Assessor records, the number of potential residences, business and other traffic generating entities are determined by figuring out how many “potential” parcels may exist under the allowed minimum lot sizes of the proposed land use designations. The increase from existing developments to potential developments directly correlates with the potential increase in average daily traffic. The forecast of traffic and its potential impact on adopted LOS standards is used to determine if the transportation system is capable of handling the demand. If the system is not capable of handling the demand, the Comprehensive Plan must identify how the system will be improved and financed, or the land use plan must be revised to ensure that the minimum “level of service” standards are met.
Figure 3 indicates that the current system is designed to handle the projected twenty (20) year population growth of this region for rural County roads. Even at build-out, only Highway 101 near the Forks Urban Growth Area would experience demand placing it below adequate level of service. Table 1 lists those rural County roads which will approach the minimum standard (C) by the year 2010 or if full build-out is to be realized.
Table 1 – Rural County Roads Level of Service (Marginal or Failing)
Road Name
Current LOS
LOS Year 2010
LOS Based on Build-out
Current ADT
ADT Year 2010
ADT Based on Build-out
From Mile Post
To Mile Post
Burnt Mountain Rd.
B
C
C
1,931
5,314
5,314
1.92
5.82
Hwy 101
D
D
E
9,300
19,654
19,654
189.55
191.69
Hwy 101
B
C
D
4,950
10,461
10,461
191.69
192.67
LaPush Rd.
B
C
C
1,344
3,865
3,865
0.00
13.86
Mora Rd.
B
B
C
694
925
2,914
2.17
2.22
Shadow Lane
A
C
C
0
6,763
6,763
0.00
0.45
(6) Road Standards. Level of service standards are an essential part of transportation planning, but they fail to provide a complete inventory of transportation needs and deficiencies. Design standards relating to road and lane width are set forth in RCW 35.83.030 and RCW 43.32.020. Those standards are as follows:
Table 2 – Design Standards for County Roads
ADT
Below 150
150 – 400
401 – 750
751 – 1,000
1,001 – 2,000
2,001 – plus
Road Width
20 – 24 ft.
24 ft.
26 ft.
28 ft.
34 ft.
40 ft.
Lane Width
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft.
11 ft.
12 ft.
Table 3 lists County roads with standard width deficiencies. As demonstrated, most of the roadways with width deficiencies have acceptable or better LOS ratings. This clearly describes the discrepancy between LOS standards and road width standards. For example, although Erickson Road is currently at LOS “A” and would remain that way even at full build-out, it is clearly deficient in road width (fourteen (14) feet). LOS measures how free-flowing a roadway segment is, but fails to recognize whether the road meets minimum safety standards.
Table 3 – Deficient Road Widths with Corresponding LOS
Road Name
Pavement Width
Current ADT
Current LOS
LOS Based on Build-out
Road Width Deficiency
David Mansfield Rd.
11
15
A
A
13
Erickson Rd.
10
10
A
A
14
Heckle Rd.
10
2
A
A
14
Lucken Rd.
12
29
A
A
12
Magnolia Rd.
12
11
A
A
12
Moriarty Rd.
12
17
A
A
12
Walgren Rd.
12
159
A
A
12
(7) Private Roads. The transportation system in the West End Planning Region also includes private streets and easements, often unimproved, design to serve lots within short plats and surveys. A mechanism to upgrade these roads to land division and fire protection minimum standards should be in place to assist property owners developing property which does not directly abut a public street.
(8) Alternative Solutions. Solutions to transportation deficiencies may include incentives to change patterns of transportation behavior, such as car pooling rather than single occupancy vehicles, and enhancements to alternative modes of transportation that would be efficient and less costly to maintain, such as transit or bicycle lanes.
31.06.060 Transportation policies.
(1) Highway 101. Preserve and enhance the Highway 101 corridor for regional mobility to improve its functionality for business, area residents, tourists, nonmotorized transportation, freight and services.
(a) Encourage the Washington State Department of Transportation to retain all of their properties adjoining Highway 101 for future use as rest stops, scenic pullouts, roadside parks and future transit pullouts.
(b) Work with the Washington State Department of Transportation and other agencies to ensure that Highway 101 meets the goal that the corridor function regionally for the mobility of goods, services and passengers. Included in this goal would be review of State access policy to ensure the direct access to the highway from individual properties is minimized.
(c) Adopt regulations prohibiting access to Highway 101 when access to County/City roads is available or when shared access points are available.
(d) Highway 101 should have adequate shoulders for bicyclists. Current deficiencies should be corrected to encourage bicycle commuting. Storage facilities for bicycles should be available in conjunction with transit shelters along the corridor.
(e) Park-and-ride lots and transit shelters should be conveniently located along the Highway 101 corridor in the Forks Urban Growth Area and at intersections of County arterials and Highway 101.
(f) Passing lanes should be planned along the highway corridor in rural areas.
(g) The proliferation of stoplights on Highway 101 should be discouraged. New development should be encouraged to locate at existing intersections where stoplights are already in place.
(2) Rural Roads. The County has agreed to allow the City of Forks to plan for the Forks Urban Growth Area. This includes establishing goals and policies for the transportation system. In lieu of this, the following policies will deal with rural County roads in the West End Planning Region and those arterial roads that connect the UGA with the rural areas of the region.
(a) The County should not pursue new County roads outside of the Forks Urban Growth Area except in those circumstances where roads are built within subdivisions with private funds and then turned over to the County for maintenance.
(b) Road systems in rural and resource areas should be at rural and resource land standards which preserve the essential character of the land use.
Improvements should be made to regionally significant roads such as LaPush Road, Burnt Mountain Road, Mora and Quillayute Road, in order to accommodate alternative modes of transportation including bicycles and transit, thus encouraging the reduction of single occupancy vehicle use and enhancing recreational opportunities in the West End Planning Region.
(c) The following road improvements have been identified based on LOS standards, improved circulation, and road width safety standards.
(i) Quillayute Road (Sol Duc River Bridge painting, engineering, construction);
(ii) Quillayute Road (Quillayute Weather Station to Mina Smith Road – regrade, drain, widen existing road and pave, engineering, right-of-way, construction).
(3) Road Standards. Improvements to County roads should consider the rural character of the West End Planning Region. Needed safety improvements should be the minimum necessary to address the safety problem, particularly in rural areas where country roads enhance the character of the area, as well as being a deterrent to speeding. In rural areas, limit the number of access points to County roads in order to limit impediments to traffic and to maintain open space qualities.
(a) When County roads are rebuilt in this area, forecasts of future traffic should be based on the following principles:
(i) If the road is on the regional transportation network (see Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization – PRTPO), the road should be designed to accommodate transportation growth rates within the PRTPO plan.
(ii) If the County road is not on the regional transportation network, the road should be designed based on 50 percent of the potential build-out as indicated in the land use plan.
(b) Private road standards should allow for flexibility while meeting minimum safety requirements for emergency vehicles, except in those circumstances where it is in the best public interest to develop a public road. Right-of-way standards, improved widths, and surfacing of private roads should not be required at the same standard as public roads. The use of Road Improvement Districts (RIDs) should be encouraged to equitably share the cost of upgrading private roads to land division and fire protection standards.
(4) Paths, Trails and Sidewalks.
(a) Non-motorized travel should be promoted within the West End Planning Region for multipurpose recreation, when it is determined to be cost effective. The County should continue work on the design, construction, and maintenance of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) and other trail systems, including Kugel Creek Bicycle Loop, the Snyder-Jackson Trail connecting the Forest Service ranger stations via Rugged Ridge, the Pacific Northwest Trail, Elk Creek Mountain Bike Loop, Clallam Bay-Sekiu Trail, Sekiu to Owens Park, the Coastal Tsunami Evacuation Route, and other trails as identified by community members and other trail groups and work to provide connector trails between the ODT and these systems to provide companion facilities such as rustic campgrounds.
(b) The following are the designated bicycle routes. All roads on a designated bicycle route should have a minimum improved shoulder width of three to five feet, depending on the speed limit of the road. However, in all such improvements, the additional costs associated with meeting bicycle requirements should only be funded if the benefits of such improvements outweigh the costs when compared to both current and projected bicycle use.
Highway 101 Burnt Mountain
LaPush Road Sol Duc Valley, Cooper Ranch and Clark Road Loop
Mora Road Sol Duc Hotsprings Road
(5) Multimodal.
(a) First priority for transit service and facility improvements should be for designated urban growth areas, rural centers (including tourist commercial designations), and routes along the regional transportation system.
(b) Park-and-ride lots and transit shelters should be conveniently located along the Highway 101 corridor in Forks, Beaver, Sappho and Quillayute Prairie Airport, and at the intersections of County arterials or collectors and Highway 101. Design park-and-ride lots with transit shelters and bicycle storage facilities on site.
(6) Airports.
(a) Ensure that land uses adjacent to the Quillayute Prairie Airport are compatible with the continued use of the airport for air transportation needs of the region.
(b) If developed for commercial use, provide adequate roadway connections between the Quillayute Prairie Airport and the existing major arterial streets, roads and highways serving the airport. Ensure that there are public transportation connections to the Quillayute Prairie Airport.
(7) Level of Service. The minimum acceptable level of service (LOS) standard for County roads in both rural and urban areas shall be LOS “C,” using standard rating methodology.4
(8) Financing.
(a) Place high priority on investment and expenditure of limited public funds on the transportation system in urban growth areas and limit investment and expenditure in rural areas to arterial development connecting communities and neighborhoods.
(b) The existing transportation system should be maintained before expenditure of limited public funds on expanded facilities.
(c) Traditional funding sources should continue to be the primary funding source pay for improvements to County roads in the region.
(d) The County shall require new development to rectify and/or compensate for impacts to transportation facilities not meeting minimum safety standards or for developments expected to increase demand, such as average daily traffic (ADT), by more than 50 percent over current demand.
(9) Emergency Transportation Planning. The Clallam County Emergency Officer should coordinate with State and private timber land owners to draft an emergency road use compact. The intent of such a compact would be to provide alternative routes in the case of bridge failure or other road system failures that could potentially leave West End residents stranded from road access to the rest of the County and State.
31.06.070 Public facilities and services.
(1) GMA Goals.
(a) Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.
(b) Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.
(c) Encourage the retention of open space and development of recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks.
(2) Overview. It is more cost efficient to provide some public facilities and services when the population is concentrated, such as in an urban growth area. Through the designation of urban growth areas, Clallam County and other service providers can plan more cost effective and efficient services.
Growth increases the demand for new and/or improved public facilities and services. New residential growth may impact school facilities by having more school aged children without a corresponding increase in school facilities. Development can increase traffic levels on County roads and transit systems. Connections to water and sewer systems diminish the available capacity for future growth.
The overall purpose of this growth management plan is to identify urban areas where public facilities and services keep pace with growth so that service levels are not diminished; and plan for where facilities and services will be located.
(3) Definition. The Growth Management Act defines public facilities as streets, roads, highways, sidewalks, street and road lighting systems, traffic signals, domestic water systems, storm and sanitary sewer systems, parks and recreation facilities, and schools. Public services include fire protection and suppression, law enforcement, public health, education, recreation, environmental protection, and other governmental services.
(4) Schools. The West End regional planning area is serviced by the Quillayute Valley School District No. 402. Facilities include one elementary school with grades kindergarten through five, one middle school which includes grades six to eight, one high school with grades nine through twelve, and one alternative school. These facilities are currently located within the incorporated City of Forks. With 1,680 students currently being instructed and a projected annual growth rate of two (2) percent,5 there may be a need for future increases in school capacity over the twenty (20) year planning period. Due to the large rural nature of the West End Planning Region, location of future facility sites may need to be considered outside of the Forks urban growth area.
(5) Water. The City of Forks provides water for the City and some outlying residents in the immediate vicinity. The City’s reservoir storage capacity is 1.9 million gallons. With an estimated peak load of 800,000 gallons, the City has the capability to expand service to over twice its current customers. This exceeds the requirements of the Forks urban growth area far beyond the twenty (20) year planning period.
(6) Sewer. Only a small portion of the City of Forks is serviced by a municipal sewer system. Rural areas in the West End Region are served by both community and private septic systems.
(7) Parks and Recreation. Recreational opportunities are abundant in the West End Planning Region. The Olympic National Park forms the eastern boundary of the region and includes a strip along the Pacific Coast to the west. The Sol Duc, Calawah and Bogachiel Rivers all have boat launch facilities located throughout these river systems. Resort facilities like the ones located at Bear Creek and Three Rivers provide sports fishermen and recreationalists with ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in a resort type atmosphere. However, it is believed that these will be insufficient to meet the growing demand for such facilities as the tourist oriented sector of the economy continues to grow. Ball parks and other sports facilities are located at Beaver and within the incorporated City of Forks. Tillicum Park within the City of Forks provides fifteen (15) acres of ball fields, tennis courts and other recreational facilities serving the local community. There are no golf courses in the region. Resort facilities and golf courses are recognized as the only significant deficiencies over the twenty (20) year planning period.
(8) Fire Protection and Suppression. Fire protection in the West End Planning Region is provided by Clallam County Fire Protection District #1. Volunteer forces operate from stations in Forks, Beaver and Three Rivers. Response to emergency medical calls is provided by the hospital district which operates from Forks Community Hospital. The fire district has a mutual aid agreement with District #6, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service. The district also provides structure protection for Olympic National Park. Fire protection districts, like hospital and library districts, are junior taxing districts. Funding for these junior taxing districts comes from property taxes.
(9) Public Health. The Forks Community Hospital located in the City of Forks provides a broad range of basic health services in the West End planning area. However, no transitional senior care facilities exist on the West End. Additional care is provided through Clallam County’s Home Health Care Program and the Quillayute Tribal Indian Health Services. These facilities are needed to care for area residents through the twenty (20) year planning period. It is foreseeable that the projected growth will require further expansion in this area of service.
(10) Other Governmental Services. Clallam County provides no other direct governmental facilities within the West End planning area. Due to remote geographic conditions, consideration has been made in the past for satellite offices for some of the County’s services, such as law enforcement, health and community development. At this time, the most efficient use of these facilities is to continue basing them within Port Angeles.
One alternative to facility expansion is to pursue electronic networking technology as a means of expanding governmental resources and services to the residents of the West End and enhance interaction between those residents and the County seat in Port Angeles. As the population grows in the West End, the need for satellite facilities and increased services needs to be closely monitored.
(11) Financing. New development often pays for the cost of extending new public facilities and services. For example, if a development is proposed on a County road that is not adequate to handle additional traffic, the County is able to require the developer to pay the costs of improving the County road (called “mitigation”). Water and sewer systems are similarly financed. If a developer proposes to extend water and sewer to a property, it is the responsibility of the developer to pay the costs for extending those services.
Another way that development pays for the cost of extending new public facilities is through development fees. For example, the City of Forks requires anyone who hooks up to the sewer or water system to pay a connection fee. This fee is put into a special account for the eventual planning and upgrade of the system. This connection fee is in addition to requiring the developer to extend the actual collection or distribution lines.
This method of payment for public facilities and service extension is based on three (3) principles: (a) setting level of service standards for public facilities and services; (b) ensuring that public facilities and services necessary to support development are adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use (called “concurrency”); and (c) requiring development to pay fees for the new facilities rather than rely solely on property taxes or grants to fund development of these public facilities.
31.06.080 Public facilities and services – Policies.
(1) Schools.
(a) Expansion of existing school facilities should be encouraged within the Forks urban growth area where public facilities and services (e.g., water, sewer, transportation, fire and police) can be provided in an efficient manner.
(b) School facilities necessary to support development should be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use, or a financial commitment is in place to complete the improvements within six (6) years without decreasing current service levels below established minimum standards.
(c) The County, City of Forks, State of Washington and the Quillayute Valley School District should work cooperatively to identify funding sources needed for improvements to school facilities caused by new development.
(2) Water.
(a) Public water systems should be provided within designated urban growth areas, rural centers, and tourist commercial areas. Public or municipal water systems (i.e., PUD and the City of Forks) should be limited in rural lands to those areas that can demonstrate water quantity limitations, water quality problems or hydraulic continuity to rivers and streams.
(b) Extension or existence of public water service in designated rural areas or resource lands shall not result in or be justification for higher density than that anticipated by a regional or subarea comprehensive plan.
(c) Level of service and facility standards should be developed by the water service provider, with standards set based on expected land use densities established by this Plan.
(d) Water systems necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use.
(3) Sewer. Please see County-wide Comprehensive Plan policies for specific reference to sanitary waste disposal within and outside of urban growth areas.
(4) Parks and Recreation.
(a) Identify and provide for increased recreational and public access opportunities to natural resource lands and water where appropriate.
(b) Encourage further development of public access to freshwater areas, particularly the Quillayute, Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah Rivers.
(c) Methods of ensuring public access to public lands should be developed that do not adversely impact private land owners and commercial forestry operations.
(d) Parks and recreational facilities necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development as identified in the County Capital Facilities Plan, as now or hereafter amended.
(5) Fire Protection and Suppression. Fire protection and suppression facilities in urban areas should receive first priority. Fire flow (e.g., fire hydrants) in rural areas should not be required of new development or extension of public water systems except for commercial/industrial uses and public facilities.
(6) Other Governmental Services.
(a) Clallam County and other governmental service providers should continually monitor the population growth, age and other demographic characteristics of the population to determine the need for new or expanded services.
(b) Clallam County should work cooperatively with the City of Forks in pursuing a suitable location for a County courthouse annex should the need arise.
(c) Clallam County should actively pursue electronic networking technology as an alternative means of providing extension of public services and expanding the availability of governmental resources to the residents of the West End.
31.06.090 Rural land – Vision.
The mission of the Regional Planning Commission is to formulate a comprehensive land use plan that strikes a responsible balance between private property rights, economic diversity and the quality of the environment. The plan will serve as the foundation for land use regulations that will be simple, minimally intrusive and inexpensive to apply. These regulations will facilitate economic development within the Forks urban growth area. The Comprehensive Plan will also serve to maintain the rural character of the areas outside of the urban growth area.
The characteristics of rural areas that residents currently enjoy should be maintained in the Plan. Large lot sizes and minimal nuisances like noise, lights, odor or traffic should be found in rural areas. Small, home-based businesses and industries should be supported and encouraged.
The land base for private land use in this region is limited. Table 4 below demonstrates the actual acreage and percentage of lands within the planning area (Note: commercial forest lands in these tables indicate State and private lands. The Olympic National Forest has also been designated as commercial forest lands).
Table 4 – Acreage and Percentage of General Land Use Designations
Designation
Acres
Percent
Rural Lands
15,133
5%
Commercial Forest Lands
142,892
48%
National Forest Lands
118,884
40%
National Park Lands
15,323
5%
Forks UGA
4,767
2%
Table 5 – Acreage and Percentage of Rural Land Use Designations
Designation
Acres
Percent
Rural
1,052
7%
Rural Moderate
2,591
17%
Rural Low
7,543
50%
Quillayute Residential
1,268
8%
Tourist Commercial
59
0.4%
Rural Center
1,671
11%
Tribal
949
6%
31.06.100 Rural land – Principles.
The following principles guide the designation of rural lands and the permitted uses within the Western regional planning area:
(1) Tourist-related businesses should be supported throughout rural areas, including such uses as bed and breakfast inns, tourist shops, recreational activities and convenience services;
(2) Home-based business and home-based industry should be supported throughout rural areas;
(3) Timber harvesting and agriculture are traditional activities and should be permitted throughout rural areas;
(4) Recognize the limited amount of private land for development and allow for greater flexibility in development regulations while still protecting adjacent landowners from impacts caused by land uses which may be objectionable;
(5) Residential structures should allow all types of housing opportunities with rural character protected by minimum lot size and maximum residential densities;
(6) Mini-day care centers or home schools should be permitted throughout rural areas;
(7) Commercial uses which are normally associated with rural areas should be permitted, such as horse arenas, commercial greenhouses, kennels and veterinarian clinics;
(8) Nuisances, e.g., noise, light, or odor, created by commercial or industrial uses in rural areas should be contained on-site through protection measures such as fencing, limited hours, reduction in traffic volumes, lighting standards, etc.;
(9) Accessory uses to the principal uses should be permitted in all zones;
(10) Planned unit developments or cluster subdivision options, where density of a parcel is transferred to a portion of a property, should be allowed in those circumstance where property is limited by natural constraints, such as wetlands, shoreline setbacks, geologic hazardous areas, and in areas designated rural low; provided, that lot sizes are not reduced below 2.4 acres;
(11) Major industrial and commercial development should be primarily focused into the Forks urban growth area, with some development as outlined allowed in rural areas;
(12) Rural centers and tourist commercial zones should be designated to allow for a mixture of commercial and residential uses in rural areas. These zones are where communities have been established historically and allowed for a variety of land uses.
31.06.110 Rural land – Classifications.
The following land use classifications outside of the Forks urban growth area and commercial forest designations are proposed:
(1) Rural Center. A land use classification intended for areas with a mixture of land uses, including commercial, residential and industrial.
(a) Standards.
Minimum Lot Size – one-half acre;
Maximum Residential Density – Based on health regulations;
Setbacks – Per existing Zoning Code;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for Sappho, Beaver, Three Rivers, Quillayute Prairie Airport.
(2) Tourist Commercial. A land use classification intended for areas primarily devoted to providing services to the traveling public.
(a) Standards.
Minimum Lot Size – one-half acre;
Maximum Residential Density – Based on health regulations;
Setbacks – Per existing Zoning Code;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for Bear Creek, Bogachiel River Bridge.
(3) Quillayute Residential. A land use classification intended primarily for areas with existing lots less than one acre in size outside of the Forks urban growth area.
(a) Standards:
Minimum Lot Size – one-half acre;
Maximum Residential Density – Based on health regulations;
Setbacks – Per existing Zoning Code;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for Salmon Drive area, Whitcomb-Dimmel, Lake Pleasant and Quillayute River, and Quillayute Prairie.
(4) Rural. A land use classification in areas where residential one acre lots in rural areas is either currently the predominant land use or is proposed.
(a) Standards.
Minimum Lot Size – one acre;
Maximum Residential Density – one dwelling unit per 2.4 acres;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for various areas.
(5) Rural Moderate. A land use classification intended for those areas and persons who desire to live in a low density rural setting with limited encroachment of commercial and industrial activities.
(a) Standards.
Minimum Lot Size – 2.4 acres;
Maximum Residential Density – one dwelling unit per 2.4 acres;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for various areas.
(6) Rural Low. A land use classification intended to provide homesites in rural forestry areas with limited encroachment of commercial and industrial activities.
(a) Standards.
Minimum Lot Size – 2.4 acres (flexible zoning allowed);
Maximum Residential Density – one dwelling unit per 4.8 acres;
(b) Permitted Uses. See matrix in CCC 31.06.130;
(c) Location. Proposed for various areas.
31.06.120 Rural land – Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms or words herein shall be interpreted as specifically defined in this chapter. All other words in this chapter shall carry the meanings as specified in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary of 1980.
(1) “Accessory dwelling unit” means a separate dwelling unit within a single-family dwelling that complies with the standards set forth in this chapter and is accessory in nature to the main dwelling on the property. Accessory dwelling units are not computed when calculating density or minimum lot size.
(2) “Accessory improvements” means an improvement which is subordinate to or incidental to the main use of a parcel. Such improvements shall be, but are not limited to, fences, garages, storage sheds, walkways, driveways, utilities, sewage disposal systems, landscaping, off-street parking, guest houses and small buildings for workshop. Improvements which are detached from a dwelling unit located on the parcel and intended for overnight sleeping uses are an accessory improvement to a residential use.
(3) “Accessory uses” means a use which is normally subordinate to or incidental to the main use on the lot.
(4) “Agriculture” means improvements and activities associated with the raising and harvesting of crops and livestock.
(5) “Bed and breakfast inns” means a dwelling which is constructed or converted partially or entirely into an overnight, short-term boarding house which does not detract from the residential appearance of the structure.
(6) “Church” means a building or buildings intended for religious worship including ancillary activity and improvements such as religious education, assembly rooms, kitchen, reading room, recreation hall and may include a residence for church staff. This definition does not include schools devoted primarily to nonreligious education.
(7) “Club” means an association of persons for a common object, jointly supported and meeting periodically in a given place.
(8) “Commercial use” means any premises devoted primarily to the wholesaling or retailing of a product or service for the purpose of generating an income.
(9) “Conditional use” means an activity or structure which is allowed by this chapter in one or more land use classifications. Conditional uses are those uses often not compatible within the zone in which they might be located because at times they may create a nuisance which might not be capable of being mitigated. A conditional use permit requires a public hearing, notice to adjacent property owners and is either approved, approved with conditions or denied by the County Board of Adjustment (or Hearing Examiner), appealable to the Board of County Commissioners.
(10) “Day care center” means a person or agency that provides care for thirteen (13) or more children during part of the twenty-four (24) hour day.
(11) “Density” means the number of dwelling units per gross acre of land.
(12) “Duplex” means a building containing two (2) dwelling units and not otherwise defined as an accessory dwelling or guest house.
(13) “Dwelling unit” means any building or any portion thereof which is intended or designed to be used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes having independent living facilities for one family including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, sanitation and including accessory structures and improvements.
(14) “Greenhouse or nursery” means a structure or land devoted to the cultivation and sale of plants.
(15) “Grocery store” means a structure devoted primarily to the sale of staple foodstuffs and household commodities.
(16) “Guest house” means living quarters which are located on the same parcel with a principal single-family dwelling for the impermanent use by personal guests of the occupants of the principal single-family dwelling and which may not be rented or used as a permanent residential dwelling.
(17) “Home-based industry” means a commercial, manufacturing or processing business located on a parcel together with an existing dwelling. The industry is located in a fully enclosed building separate from the dwelling and no larger than 2,000 square feet, limited to no more than two (2) part-time or full-time employees other than the owner. An attached garage is considered as a building separate from the dwelling.
(18) “Home enterprise” means a revenue-generating enterprise which is located in a dwelling and is subordinate to and incidental to the residential use of the dwelling.
(19) “Home school” means a person or agency providing instruction during part of the twenty-four (24) hour day to twelve (12) or fewer persons in a home.
(20) “Horse arena” means an outside area or facility greater than 2,000 square feet in area for the commercial boarding, care, instruction or riding of horses.
(21) “Industrial use” means any premises devoted primarily to the manufacturing of semi-finished products, finished products and the processing of materials, to a degree that exceeds the definitions of home-based industries and home enterprises. This definition includes accessory facilities such as, but not limited to, storage facilities, transfer facilities, warehousing, heavy vehicular storage and repair, log storage and sorting.
(22) “Kennels” means an establishment which is designed to accommodate the temporary boarding of six (6) or more household pets owned by persons other than the owner of the premises.
(23) “Labor camp” means facilities which are designed to provide overnight sleeping, waste disposal and one cooking facility to serve the entire facility for the construction industry, timber management, etc.
(24) “Medical service facility” means a medical physicians clinic or outpatient care clinic where overnight accommodations are not provided.
(25) “Mineral extraction” means activities involved in the extraction of minerals from the earth for industrial, commercial, or construction uses, excluding water. For the purpose of this chapter, removal of solid materials from the earth is not deemed mineral extraction until the activity collectively results in more than three (3) acres of land being disturbed or that results in pit walls more than thirty (30) feet high and steeper than one horizontal to one vertical. This definition does not include disturbances greater than three (3) acres of land if the accumulative area that has not been rehabilitated according to the State’s reclamation requirements outlined in Chapter 78.44 RCW is less than three (3) acres. Farming, road construction, mineral exploration testing and site preparation for construction shall not be deemed mineral extraction activities.
(26) “Mini-day care center” means a person or agency providing care during part of the twenty-four (24) hour day to twelve (12) or fewer children in a facility.
(27) “Minimum lot size” means the smallest parcel size upon which a dwelling may be placed or constructed; provided, that roads and open spaces, dedicated to the public, and tidelands shall be excluded when calculating lot size.
(28) “Mobile home park” means a lot or parcel of land occupied by two (2) or more mobile homes on a rent or lease basis, and approved by Clallam County pursuant to County regulations.
(29) “Motel” means a structure which provides overnight, short-term boarding to transient guests and not defined as a bed and breakfast inn facility.
(30) “Multiple-family dwelling” means a building containing three (3) or more dwelling units.
(31) “Outdoor oriented recreation use” means improvements and land use activities which are intended to provide for recreation activity which is carried on outside of buildings or which involves the use and enjoyment of features of the surrounding environment to include but not be limited to campgrounds, boat launching facilities, golf courses, and ballfields.
(32) “Permitted use” means an activity or structure which is allowed in a zone pursuant to this chapter without conditions or formal action by the County, except as required by other chapters of the Clallam County Code. A permitted use includes uses and improvements which are customarily accessory to the use.
(33) “Professional offices” means a structure accommodating the following professional offices: medical, dental, chiropractic; accounting, consulting, cosmetologist, real estate offices or such other offices of persons required to be licensed by the State of Washington following completion of required training.
(34) “Public building” means a building which is used or owned by a governmental agency.
(35) “Race track” means an area devoted to the racing of motor and nonmotorized vehicles or animals, and all improvements normally associated with racing such as off-street parking, patron seating, and a fixed race track.
(36) “Recreational vehicle park” means a lot occupied by two (2) or more recreation vehicles as defined by State health laws for the purpose of lease or rent for overnight occupation.
(37) “Research facility” means an improvement devoted to or supporting research activities and having minimal nuisance characteristics related to odor, noise, glare and radiation. Research is an activity devoted to the obtaining of knowledge and does not include any product retailing or wholesaling activity. Testing for surface and subsurface minerals is not a research activity.
(38) “Retail use” means a land use devoted primarily to the sale of a product or service to the general public.
(39) School. For the purposes of this chapter, a “school” is a building where instruction is given to persons to enhance their knowledge or skills. Buildings where instruction is given primarily on religious matters are not deemed to be schools.
(40) “Single-family dwelling” means a dwelling unit detached from any other dwelling unit and intended for occupation by one family and including accessory improvements and uses. This definition includes manufactured homes such as mobile homes, modular homes and other homes manufactured in components or as one complete dwelling unit.
(41) “Solid or liquid waste disposal” means a facility typically owned and operated by a public entity for disposal of solid or liquid waste, including transfer stations, sewage facilities and biosolids.
(42) “Special use” means an activity, use or structure which is allowed in one or more land use classifications. Special uses are those uses normally compatible within the zone in which they are located but may at times create a nuisance which might be mitigated through issuance of the special use permit or denied if: (a) unable to be mitigated; or (b) found to be incompatible with other uses in the zone in which it is locating; or (c) is inconsistent with this chapter; or (d) is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. A special use permit requires notice to adjacent property owners and is either approved, approved with conditions or denied by County planning staff, appealable to the Board of County Commissioners.
(43) “Storage facility” means a building or fenced open yard used solely for the storage of goods and materials; provided, that automobile wrecking or salvage facilities are excluded from this definition.
(44) “Tavern” means any establishment with special space and accommodation for sale by the glass and for consumption on the premises, of beer and/or wine.
(45) “Timber harvesting” means limited improvements and activities associated with the growing and harvesting of trees that will have only minimal impact on neighboring residential uses when undertaken in rural land use zones. Such activity includes timber harvesting; land preparation for tree planting; road construction; tree thinning; brush control; temporary storage of logs, materials, vehicles and equipment supporting timber growing on-site; temporary chipping and barking of timber harvested on site utilizing portable equipment; and minor extraction of gravel and rock necessary to support timber management activity on-site (and not otherwise defined as mineral extraction).
(46) “Timber management activity” means improvements and activities associated with the growing and harvesting of trees. Such activity includes land preparation for tree planting, road construction, tree thinning, brush control, log storage and sorting yards, tree nursery facilities, research activity related to timber growing, improvements required for environmental impact mitigation, temporary chipping and barking activity utilizing portable equipment, storage of materials, vehicles and equipment supporting timber growing, harvesting and transportation activities, staging areas and facilities, timber transshipment facilities, log scaling facilities, the extraction of gravel and rock necessary to support timber management activity and all other silviculture and associated practices which are recognized by and consistent with the regulations of the Washington State Forest Practices Act of 1974.
(47) “Tourist shop” means a facility devoted primarily to the sale of a product or service to the traveling public, including antique or curio shops, crafts, memorabilia.
(48) “Unclassified use” means an activity or land use not listed as permitted, special or conditional use, or prohibited in this Plan.
(49) “Utility” means a fixed, conveyance type improvement serving two (2) or more ownerships. Said improvement conveys power, gas, water, sewage, surface drainage, and communication signals. This definition does not include intercounty or interstate transmission facilities.
(50) “Vehicular repair” means a structure or land use devoted to the repair of motor vehicles and not otherwise defined as a home-based industry.
(51) “Wrecking yard or junk yard” means an open area where scrap materials or motor vehicles are bought, sold, exchanged, recycled, stored, disassembled or handled, but which cannot be used again for the purpose for which it was originally intended.
31.06.130 Rural land – Use matrix.
The attached rural land use matrix identifies a range of land uses which may be permitted within one of the rural land use zones. Although there are six (6) Rural land use zones, the three (3) zones of rural, rural moderate and rural low have been identified as similar in nature and therefore the permitted uses are proposed to be identical. There are three (3) types of permitted land uses: permitted outright, special use, and conditional use. See definitions in CCC 31.06.120 for explanation of these terms.
Table 6 – Rural Land Use Matrix
Use
Rural Center
Tourist
Commercial
Quillayute
Residential
Rural
Rural Moderate
Rural Low
Accessory dwelling units
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Agriculture
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Bed and breakfast inn
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Cemetery
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Churches
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Clubs
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Commercial greenhouse
Special
Special
Special
Special
Commercial storage facility
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Day care center
Permitted
Permitted
Special
Special
Duplex dwellings
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Gas stations
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Grocery stores
Permitted
Permitted
Special
Conditional
Home enterprise
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Home-based industry
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Horse arena
Special
Special
Conditional
Special
Labor camps and staging areas
Special
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Industrial use
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Medical service facility
Permitted
Permitted
Special
Special
Mineral extraction
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Mini-day care center or home school
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Mobile home parks
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Motel
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Multiple-family dwelling
Special
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Outdoor-oriented recreation use
Permitted
Special
Special
Special
Planned unit developments
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Power generation facilities greater than five (5) megawatts
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Professional office
Permitted
Permitted
Special
Special
Public buildings and facilities
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Race track
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Research facilities
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Restaurant
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Retail store
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Special
Rock crushing and asphalt plants
Special
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
RV parks
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Conditional
Schools
Special
Special
Conditional
Conditional
Single-family dwellings
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Solid or liquid waste disposal
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Tavern
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Timber harvesting
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Timber management activity
Special
Special
Conditional
Conditional
Tourist shops
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Special
Unclassified use
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Conditional
Utilities and fire protection
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Vehicular repair
Permitted
Permitted
Conditional
Special
Veterinarian clinic and kennels
Special
Special
Special
Conditional
Wrecking yard
Conditional
Conditional
Prohibited
Conditional
31.06.140 Rural land – Private property rights and critical area protection.
Residents in the West End Planning Region have historically enjoyed a rural lifestyle that, due to their remote location and traditional occupations, have been largely free from government regulations and intrusion. Industries such as commercial forestry and cattle farming have helped to foster a strong sense of independence throughout the West End community. This sense of independence is further strengthened by the remoteness of the region. The opportunities and options available in more metropolitan areas are not as readily available in the West End, making self-sufficiency more of an imperative.
In recent years, regulations aimed at protecting environmentally sensitive areas from degradation have been implemented throughout the region. While there is little debate over the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas, the methods employed to achieve this end are considered by many to be excessive and burdensome to affected property owners.
The West End Planning Commission feels it is both possible and necessary to strike a balance between the protection of valuable environmental amenities and private property rights. The following policy is designed to help achieve this goal:
Zoning ordinances, when applied to real property subject to the Clallam County Critical Areas Ordinance, the Shoreline Management Act, or the Floodplain FIRM Map/Management Plan (e.g., wetlands, steep slopes, floodplains, etc.), shall permit the transferring of densities from that portion of the parcel subject to the applicable ordinance to the remaining noncritical area portion of the property. However, no density will be allowed on the noncritical area acreage that would exceed the density allowed for the entire parcel (both critical area portions and noncritical area portions). In addition, all densities shall be subject to prevailing health codes.
While this policy shall apply to all land use designations, it will only be utilized with lands designated as being subject to the Clallam County Critical Areas Ordinance, The Shoreline Management Act, and/or the Floodplain FIRM Map/Management Plan.
An example of this transferring of densities would be as follows:
Developer owns a parcel of land that consists of a total of 14.5 acres. Of this 14.5 acres, ten (10) acres are located within the FIRM 100-year floodplain, 0.5 acres are designated as steep slopes. The Regional Plan designates the entire parcel as rural moderate (density of one single-family dwelling unit per 2.4 acres).
Under current County regulations only one single-family dwelling would be permitted on the entire parcel, with this unit being situated on the four (4) acres of non-floodplain/non-steep slope property.
Under the policy noted above, the developer shall be allowed to build no more than six (6) single-family dwelling units on the four (4) acres of non-floodplain/non-steep slope property. However, if the health regulations only permit four (4) dwellings in this area, due to septic or water issues, then the developer would only be allowed to build four (4) houses instead of six (6).
Chapter 31.07
CITY OF FORKS URBAN GROWTH AREA COMPREHENSIVE PLANSections:
Article I. Land Use Element
31.07.010 Introduction – Purpose.
31.07.020 Overview.
31.07.030 Inventory and analysis.
31.07.040 Future needs and alternatives.
31.07.050 Belief implementation.
Article II. Transportation Element
31.07.060 Introduction.
31.07.070 Inventory and analysis.
31.07.080 Future needs and alternatives.
31.07.090 Goals, objectives, and policies.
Article III. Affordable Housing Element
31.07.100 Introduction.
31.07.110 Inventory and analysis.
31.07.120 Future needs and alternatives.
31.07.130 Beliefs, objectives, and policies.
Article IV. Economic Development Element
31.07.140 Introduction.
31.07.150 Brief analysis of economic conditions.
31.07.160 Goals and objectives associated with economic development.
Article V. Capital Facilities Element
31.07.170 Introduction – Purpose.
31.07.180 Inventory and analysis.
31.07.190 Summary of City of Forks Capital Improvement Plan.
31.07.200 Future needs and alternatives.
31.07.210 Five (5) year Capital Facilities Plan.
31.07.220 Goals, objectives, and policies.
31.07.230 Plan implementation and monitoring.
Article VI. Utilities Element
31.07.240 Introduction.
31.07.250 Inventory and analysis.
31.07.260 Future needs and alternatives.
31.07.270 Goals, objectives, and policies.
SOURCE: ADOPTED:
Ord. No. 605, 1996 10/29/96
Ord. No. 805, 2006 12/19/06
Article I. Land Use Element
31.07.010 Introduction – Purpose.
This land use element has been developed in accordance with RCW 36.70A.070, the Growth Management Act, to address land uses for the City of Forks and the adjacent urban growth area. It represents the community’s policy plan for growth over the next 20 years. The land use element describes how the goals in the other plan elements will be implemented through land use policies and regulations, and is a key element in implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
The land use element has also been developed in accordance with the County-wide Planning Policies, and has been integrated with all other planning elements to ensure consistency throughout the Comprehensive Plan. The land use element specifically considers the general distribution and location of land uses, the appropriate intensity and density of land uses given current development trends, the protection of the quality and quantity of water supply, the provision of public services, and stormwater runoff.
The land use element includes:
Overview
Inventory and Analysis
Future Land Use Needs and Alternatives
Goals, Objectives, and Policies
31.07.020 Overview.
The planning area includes the lands to which Forks may feasibly provide future urban services and those surrounding areas which directly impact conditions within the City limits. This area is designated by the Forks urban growth area boundary (Forks UGA). Discussion in this element will pertain to the entire Forks UGA when possible but much of the information will be limited to the City of Forks due to constraints on the availability of information. The City and County have coordinated their activities in identifying the Forks UGA and in the development of interim management policies for the area within the Forks UGA but outside of the current City limits. The City and County have also agreed to formulate annexation policies for City annexations. This process was conducted according to the County-wide Planning Policies and the contract governing the Clallam County Regional Planning Commission.
The Forks UGA was selected in order to ensure that urban services will be available to all new development. The location of the boundary was based on environmental constraints, the concentrations of existing development, the existing infrastructure and services, the need for flexibility in location of new development and the location of designated commercial forest lands. New development requiring urban services should be located in the Forks UGA. Water, stormwater facilities, utilities, telecommunication lines, and local roads should be extended to development in these areas.
(1) Major Land Use Considerations and Goals. Land that may be developed is available both within and outside the Forks City limits. The City does have constraints on the availability of land, such as owners of large tracts of land, who currently have little interest in developing their land. Therefore, unlike many cities, the allocation of available land among competing uses will not be the sole factor in the City’s decision-making process. Coordination between the land use element and the capital facilities element will be of assistance in producing a plan with accurate projections for economic development. The land use plan in this element will guide decision-making to achieve the community goals as articulated in the vision statement.
31.07.030 Inventory and analysis.
The inventory presented in this element provides information useful to the planning process. It does not include all of the data or information that was gathered, but has presented the relevant information in an organized and useful format. Additional data is located in the appendices and support documentation. The inventory includes:
Physical Description
Types of Land Use
(1) Physical Description.
(a) Topography and Geology. The Forks UGA lies on the Forks Prairie and is relatively flat (slopes usually less than one percent) with elevations ranging from 100 to 400 feet, with the lower elevations and steep slopes primarily occurring along the banks of the Calawah and Bogachiel Rivers and the higher elevations located in some foothills recently incorporated into the City of Forks to facilitate the development of the Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC). Surrounding foothills envelop the City except to the west with elevations of up to 1,000 feet. Presently there are several residence structures in addition to the ONRC, as well as several building sites, already established in the foothills overlooking the Forks Prairie. It is anticipated that future growth could occur in this area, as a result this area should be included into the FUGA.
The Forks Prairie had its origin many thousands of years ago as a result of glacial action. It is typical of the many western Washington prairies that exist in a sea of forest. The Prairie is underlaid with a gravelly substrate that has very high permeability. Because of the relatively flat nature and gravelly substrate (glacial outwash) minimal foundation and settling problems can be expected. But the flatness does have one detrimental feature. Parts of the Prairie are low and some winter storms do cause flooding. One example of this is the practice field immediately east of Forks High School. The Russell Road just south of Bogachiel Way is another example. Many other parts within the City suffer from periodic flooding during extreme rain conditions, but improved drainage facilities in these areas to carry away runoff would alleviate much of the problem. Existing culverts which become plugged periodically cause some flooding until they are cleared. The City of Forks and Clallam County have taken a more active role in preventing flooding in the last few years by requiring on-site water retention for new development and implementing flood control ordinances. Other means of flood control still need to be investigated by Forks and Clallam County to resolve the stormwater problem in the Forks Prairie.
(b) Mineral Deposits. Gravel is the only mineral currently extracted from within the FUGA. There are several active rock pits in and near the City of Forks.
In the early part of this century, there was a substantial interest in obtaining fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) from lands within the FUGA. At that time, some individuals sold the mineral rights associated with their properties.
(c) Shorelines. The Calawah River along part of the north boundary of the Forks UGA and the Bogachiel River located at the southwest extreme of the Forks UGA are the only shorelines classified as shorelines of State-wide significance within the Forks UGA. Both rivers serve as major attractions for both local and visiting fisherman because of excellent, although dwindling, runs of steelhead and salmon. Elk Creek and Mill Creek are the only other shorelines within the Forks UGA and are both small streams which provide trout fishing during the fishing season.
(d) Wildlife and Marine Resources. Although the Forks UGA does contain some wildlife the surrounding area abounds with fauna, including protected species such as the spotted owl, the bald eagle and the marbled murrelet. The nearby ocean and rivers harbor abundant marine resources.
(e) Climate. The climate of Forks and its surroundings is cool maritime. The air from over the Pacific influences the climate throughout the year. In the late fall and winter, the low pressure center in the Gulf of Alaska intensifies and is of major importance in controlling weather systems entering the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures in the winter months average between 30 and 40 degrees, sometimes dropping lower and occasionally going into the 40’s. Summer temperatures have had extended periods where temperatures drifted into and above the 90’s. Rainfall in the area amounts to an average of 120 inches per year with the greatest volume occurring between October and April.
(f) Wetlands (see Map 1). Wetlands are fragile ecosystems which assist in the reduction of erosion, flooding, and ground and surface water pollution. Wetlands also provide an important habitat for wildlife, plants, and fisheries. The UGA has relatively few wetlands. The City has wetlands inventory information from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps. However, there is some concern about the accuracy of these maps, and whenever possible corrections are being made or areas are being re-evaluated.
In addition, Clallam County commissioned a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (September 1994) which included an Inventory of Western Clallam County Wetlands prepared by Pesha Klein and Dyanne Sheldon. Unfortunately, this comprehensive inventory failed to inspect all of the wetlands denoted on the NWI. However, two (2) of the more valuable wetlands are located in the southern portion of the UGA. These include a wetland immediately south of SR 101, the current location Timber Museum/Logger Memorial Site and the ONRC (not plotted on Map I), and a wetland located immediately west of Bunker Road.
The Klein Sheldon survey of ONRC/Logger Memorial wetland noted that it consisted of approximately 130 acres and was classified as a palustrine forested area. Vegetation includes western hemlock, Sitka spruce, skunk cabbage, and small fruit bulrush. The buffer associated with this wetland is fifty (50) percent forested. Although not inventoried, the animals associated with this area include Roosevelt elk, deer, and various waterfowl and other birds.
The other inventoried wetland is located immediately west of Bunker Road and was determined to be an emergent wetland consisting of almost three (3) acres. This wetland is classified as being palustrine scrub shrub. The only vegetation noted in this area is willow. Again, this area is associated with Roosevelt elk, deer, and various waterfowl and other birds.
An uninventoried wetland is located in the southern portion of the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 28N, Range 13W (south of Sherwood Forest Division III and west of the Campbell’s Gravel Pit). This wetland is a combination of palustrine shrub and palustrine forested with broad leafed deciduous plants. The wetland is identified associated with Roosevelt elk, deer and various birds.
Map 1
Map 2
Map 3
(2) Inventory of Land Uses. This inventory includes land uses within the entire UGA, and is not limited to the City limits. The existing types of land uses can be used to gauge the proportion of total land area that the City will need to devote to each land use in the future. In Section III the existing land uses will be adjusted for expected shifts in needs or desires, and projections of future land uses will be derived.
(a) Residential Land Use.
(i) Purpose. To provide space for housing of all types, including single-family dwelling units, duplexes, multifamily dwelling units, mobile homes and mobile home parks.
(ii) Total Residential Land Use. The City of Forks has 31.2 percent (396.6 acres) of the total land area in residential uses. The unincorporated area of the Forks urban growth area has 19 percent (547.6 acres) of its total land area in residential uses. The entire Forks urban growth area, including the City of Forks, has 22.8 percent (944.2 acres) of its total land area in residential uses.
Residences developed at greater than one unit per half acre are located throughout the City, punctuated by housing developments such as Sherwood Forest, Terra Eden, Ford Park and the Mansfield Addition. The most intense land use located outside of the Forks City limits is located adjacent to the northeast of Forks with developments along and proximate to Calawah Way and Merchant Road. There is also significant development along and proximate to Bogachiel Way heading east to the Valley View area. Duplexes are interspersed throughout the Forks UGA, with a concentration in the Thomas Third Addition and Elk Creek Loop.
There are relatively few dwelling units in the City of Forks at a density of less than one unit per half acre. The greatest concentration of these types of homes are located west of Ford Park between Calawah Way and Division Street where a series of subdivisions are composed of lots a little greater than one-half acre in area. The Mansfield Additions, located in the southwest portion of the City, also contain a few lots that fall into this classification. The unincorporated areas of the Forks UGA contain more dwelling units that fall into this classification and they tend to be scattered throughout that area.
(iii) Number of Dwelling Units by Type. The City of Forks has 686 single-family units, thirty (30) multifamily units, ninety-eight (98) manufactured homes outside of a mobile home park and four (4) mobile home parks. The unincorporated portion of the Forks UGA has 253 single-family units, 160 manufactured homes outside of a mobile home park, six (6) multifamily units and three (3) mobile home parks.
(iv) Build-Out Potential. The City has considerable potential for building within the existing incorporated land area. This inventory includes several undeveloped subdivisions. A large build-out potential is encouraged because it allows for flexibility in development and promotes low cost housing by reducing competition for available land.
(b) Commercial Land Use. This category was used to designate land currently being used for commercial purposes of all types, including land used for retail and wholesale trade, offices, hotels, motels, RV parks, restaurants, service outlets, automobile service stations, repair facilities and storage. Guidance for future zoning provisions is given in the discussion of future needs and alternatives below.
(i) Total Commercial Use. The City of Forks has six (6) percent (76.71 acres) of the total land area in commercial uses. The unincorporated UGA has less than one percent (24.81 acres) of its total area in commercial uses. The entire UGA has 2.4 percent (101.52 acres) of its total area in commercial uses.
Since the City of Forks does not have any zoning, commercial uses are scattered throughout the City. The only concentration of commercial uses are in the central business district that runs along both sides of Forks Avenue (SR 101) in the central part of the City of Forks. There are few vacancies in this area. A mini mall was created in the SR 101 corridor which has facilitated the development of new business. There is a need for more parking to provide residents and tourists with easier access to the central business core.
The unincorporated UGA also has commercial uses scattered throughout. A large number of commercial uses are located along Merchant Road on the north side of the City of Forks.
(ii) Economic Trends. Taxable retail sales for the last four (4) years are listed below. Adjusted for inflation, taxable retail sales have remained relatively flat over this time period. (Source: Washington State Department of Revenue)
Table 1 – City of Forks
Total Taxable Retail Sales
Year
Taxable Retail Sales
1990
26,088,233
1991
27,671,517
1994
15,654,151*
1992
28,396,385
1993
31,867,380
* = First and second quarters of 1994 only. Figure does reflect a 7.4% increase over the combined amounts for first and second quarter 1993.
(iii) Market Area. City commercial uses serve the UGA, northwest Jefferson County and to a limited extent Clallam Bay, La Push and Neah Bay. Of growing importance is the tourism industry, as evidenced by the heavy concentration of hotels and restaurants in the central business district.
(c) Industrial Land Use. This category includes land used for manufacturing, mineral resource extraction, processing and warehousing. In the UGA the only industrial uses are comprised of a couple sand and gravel operations, shake mills and lumber yards.
(i) Total Industrial Land Use. The City of Forks has 3.7 percent (47.42 acres) of its land area used for industrial purposes. Less than one percent (25.87 acres) of the unincorporated Forks UGA is industrialized. Lands designated for industrial use accounts for 73.29 acres, or 1.7 percent of the entire UGA.
(ii) Economic Trends. An industrial park has been developed to encourage the development of a timber manufacturing industry within the FUGA. More jobs are expected to be created as a result of the creation of a wood drying operation which is part of the industrial park project. Due to the Endangered Species Act and harvesting restrictions in our commercial forest acreage base, many wood products industries have had to shut down over the last few years.
(iii) Market Area. The market for wood products extends from Clallam County to international trade. Industrial use is thereby facilitated if lands so designated are adjacent to State Road 101.
(d) Public Land Use. This category includes public and semi-public uses such as parks, schools, community recreation centers, public utilities, parking lots, city halls, libraries and fraternal organization facilities.
(i) Total Public Land Use. 11.6 percent (147 acres) of the land in the City of Forks is used for public or semi-public purposes. Less than 0.5 percent (14 acres) of the unincorporated UGA is used for public purposes. 3.5 percent of the entire UGA (161 acres) is used for public purposes.
(ii) Description of Existing Public Uses. The City of Forks has one park, Tillicum Park, located in the north entrance to the City. Tillicum Park serves as a rest stop for tourists and a staging place for community events such as Rainfest and the Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July. It is the believed that this park will be marginally sufficient for the expected growth over the next twenty (20) years.
The demand for ball fields has been alleviated by the Forks Lions Club, which built ball fields in nearby Beaver, Washington. The ball fields of the Quillayute Valley School District are also open to the public. The Little League Association benefited from the donation of land for use as ball fields by Mr. Ed Duncan.
A landscaped triangle at the intersection of SR 101 and Sol Duc Way serves as a rest area for some people as does some lawn area in front of the Forks Recreation Center.
The Forks Recreation Center is also another important community meeting place in the City of Forks that also serves as a youth and senior center. A bond has been proposed and rejected for the construction of a swimming pool adjacent to the recreation center. Public support for a swimming pool persists and it is included in the capital facilities element of this Comprehensive Plan.
Recently, the State constructed a boat launch along the Calawah River. The launch is located immediately east of SR 101’s Calawah River Bridge. It is expected that this site will be heavily used by both the local and tourist populations.
(e) Open Space. This category is limited to utilitarian open areas (mostly created by buffers) to preserve critical areas, which are identified through performance standards in the Forks Interim Critical Areas Ordinance. While it is a requirement of the GMA to plan for and identify open space, the Regional Planning Commission begrudgingly complied with this mandate. The RPC believes that there is already sufficient open space available to the residents of the FUGA since it surrounded by open space through timber lands and State and National Park lands. Guidance for zoning and planning purposes regarding open space is provided in the future needs and analysis section of this Plan.
(f) Critical Areas. The definition for critical areas is located in the executive summary of the Comprehensive Plan, and the specific critical areas for the City are included in the section on physical description. The location and size of these critical areas is specified through performance standards in the Forks Interim Critical Areas Ordinance. Since most of the Forks UGA is flat and drains well, the amount of land in critical areas is relatively small. (See Maps 1 through 3).
(g) Natural Resource Lands. There are no designated natural resource lands within the Forks UGA. The Forks UGA is surrounded by commercial forest lands and there are numerous areas within the Forks UGA that are heavily wooded.
However, there do exist a few farms of substantial size. These farms raise cattle and hay. Several of these farms are of a historic nature. Efforts should be made by the legislative bodies to ensure the continuation of these farms at current levels, thereby protecting an aspect of the region’s history and culture.
(h) Vacant Land. 50.9 percent (646 acres) of the land in the City of Forks, seventy-nine (79) percent (2,266.89 acres) of the land in the unincorporated UGA and 70.2 percent (2,913 acres) of the entire UGA is vacant.
The following summary of the Acreage in Type of Land Use includes all of the uses described above. This actual acreage corresponds to the existing land use map. Projected acreage is based on a proportionate relationship between projected population growth and actual acreage. The projected population growth is derived from the twenty (20) year linear population growth factor (1.41) used to project population growth for the Forks area (defined by Census statistics) in Table 3 of CCC 31.05.045.
Table 2 – Forks Urban Growth Area
Acreage in Type of Land Use
Type of Land Use
Actual Acreage in 1994/%
Projected Acreage in 2014/%
Residential
944/22.8%
1,334/32.1%
Commercial
102/2.4%
144/3.5%
Industrial
73/1.7%
73/1.7%
Public Facilities
147/3.5%
208/5.0%
Vacant/Underdeveloped Lands
2,892/69.6%
2,399/57.7%
TOTAL
4,157/100.0%
4,157/100.0%
Note that the actual and projected acreage do not include the area used for roads due to the unavailability of data for road area in the unincorporated Forks UGA. Within the incorporated UGA roads used 165 acres in 1994.
31.07.040 Future needs and alternatives.
This section of the land use element explains expected development trends and identifies potential development problems and opportunities. The plan for growth and development in the City of Forks was developed based on the following analyses:
Population and Demographics: An analysis corresponding to the residential land use inventory
Economic Conditions: An analysis corresponding to the commercial and industrial lands inventory
Physical Conditions: An analysis corresponding to the physical description
Amenities: An analysis corresponding to the recreational lands, open spaces, and part of the public facilities inventory
Infrastructure: An analysis corresponding to part of the public facilities inventory which examines overall land use compatibility, and coordinates the land usage with the other elements of the Comprehensive Plan (housing, transportation, capital facilities, and utilities)
(1) Analysis of Population and Demographics. The analysis of local population and demographic trends is important for a broad understanding of the community and to anticipate future needs. The analysis of population projections for the next twenty (20) years is based on a linear projection factor derived from historical Census data from the Forks subarea, as defined by the Census Bureau.
(a) Population Changes.
(i) Population Changes Over the Past Fifty (50) Years. Since 1950, the population of Forks has increased from 1,120 residents to 3,280 residents. The population has varied dramatically over the years, with both positive and negative gains and no discernible pattern. In addition, the annexation of new territory by the City of Forks has resulted in an increase in the City’s population base.
Table 3 – City of Forks
Historical Population Growth
Year
Population
Population Change
Annex
Growth
1950
1,120
N/A
—
—
1960
1,156
36
—
—
1970
1,628
472
364
144
1974
1,867
239
—
—
1980
3,060
1,193
978
454
1984
2,849
211
—
—
1990
3,280
431
478
-258
Totals
1,820
340
(ii) Source of Population Changes. The changes in population in Forks tied are to the timber industry. Annexations also account for increases in population as follows: 1960-1970 annexations increased population by 364, 1974-1980 annexations increased population by 978, and 1984-1990 annexations increased population by 478.
(iii) Projected Population Changes. The growth in population over the next twenty (20) years has been estimated using the linear projection growth factor used to determine future land use demand (see Table 4), which is a population growth of 74.9 people per year (59.1 people per year for the City of Forks and 15.8 people per year for unincorporated Forks UGA). For a more detailed discussion of population projections for the Forks area please reference Appendix A, 20-Year Population Forecast and Distribution.
The population projections are also for the Forks urban growth area, as opposed to the City population data, as reflected in Table 4 below. Table 4 does not include historical population data for the unincorporated portion of the Forks urban growth area because only a 1990 figure was available. This number, 1,081 persons, was taken from the table in Page 9 of Clallam County’s “Forks Urban Growth Area Analysis,” dated January, 1993.
Table 4 – Forks Urban Growth Area
Population Estimate
Year
Population Estimate
1990
4,361 actual
2000
5,110
2010
5,859
2015
6,234
Population figures for Forks tend to vary, due to the transient nature of the community. Movement trends are tied to timber harvesting, prison staff making career advancements, prison inmate followers, growth in the Hispanic community and changes in government budgets. Diversification efforts offer the potential of a more stabilized population growth, as well as economy. In addition, the current trend of “urban flight” will result in an increase of new residents in the FUGA as well as the surrounding areas.
Current advances in communication technologies may also result in an increase in population, as more individuals realize that they can live in rural area and conduct their business affairs via telephone and computer. Finally, the region has seen an increase in retirees moving into the FUGA. As the nation’s population continues to age, it is foreseeable that retirees from other areas will move into the FUGA.
(b) Demographics. This section develops a more complete picture of the people expected to reside in Forks. Portions of the demographic analysis are based on County-wide data and are not particular to the City of Forks. However, the level of specificity is adequate to assess the general needs of the population.
(i) Development Patterns. Settlement has occurred around the City, with the density of settlement increasing towards the center of the City. The ownership of large tracts of land by a few individuals has prevented growth and preserved a picturesque, rural setting on the east side of the City. Low interest rates and a high demand for housing ha
