A Central Kitsap resident told the Planning Commission on Aug. 5 that citizens had submitted a petition asking the Board of County Commissioners to declare an emergency pause on approvals and permitting for future phases of the Royal Valley development until Kitsap County and state transportation agencies address infrastructure shortfalls. "About a week ago, the citizens of Central Kitsap submitted a petition to the commissioners to make an emergency declaration to pause approvals and permitting on future phases of the Royal Valley development," the resident said, and asked for follow-up.

The chair directed the speaker to submit the petition and related material to the Planning Commission record. A county staff speaker told commissioners that the Department of Community Development has received the petition and is working on a response, and cautioned that some pending permit applications may be vested and therefore limit immediate regulatory action. "DCD is in receipt of the petition, and we are working on a response," the staff speaker said.

The resident expressed concerns about traffic, emergency services, schools, hospitals and the effect of new development on private wells in the area. Commissioners acknowledged the petition and noted that the planning commission's formal authority to act on vested permits is limited; staff said they would respond to the petition and the resident should provide the materials in writing for the official record.

The planning commission did not take an action at the meeting; staff indicated they will follow up with the petitioners and that DCD is coordinating internally on next steps.