The Kitsap County Planning Commission voted to adopt findings of fact and forward a recommendation to the Department of Public Works Sewer Utility to update the county’s standards for sanitary sewer construction.

The action follows a multi-year public process that included briefings with the Kitsap Builders Association, work studies, a SEPA comment period and a public hearing. Anthony Burgess, representing the sewer utility, told the commission the rewrite addresses “jurisdictions, means, and methods” and otherwise updates standards that had not been substantially revised in nearly 30 years.

The commission first moved to consider the package paragraph by paragraph and then approved the findings and recommendation as presented by staff. A voice vote carried the motion; the record did not include a roll-call tally.

Why it matters: The sewer standards set technical requirements that affect developers, utility installations and public works projects across the county. Burgess said the next steps, if the commission’s recommendation stands, are a briefing with the Board of County Commissioners and, subsequently, formal adoption by resolution.

Details: Staff described the rewrite as two-part: (1) modernization of jurisdictions, means and methods, and (2) changes tied to development issues identified during the process. Burgess said all public comments were compiled in the packet provided to commissioners and will remain part of the administrative record.

What’s next: If adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, the updated standards would become the county’s technical requirements for sanitary sewer construction and apply to new projects and permitted work. Staff said the package will be briefed to the board and, after that briefing, considered for formal adoption by resolution.

No formal amendments were adopted during the commission’s vote; staff will carry forward the commission’s findings to the next stage.