Planning commission debates draft open-space ordinance; acreage minimum, public-access and tax rules draw scrutiny

Planning staff returned a revised draft of an open-space ordinance to the Clallam County Planning Commission for detailed review, prompting extended discussion over parcel-size eligibility, public access, lot-combination benefits, fees and tax implications.

The ordinance draft reworks administrative language and adds a required protection plan for applicants seeking reductions tied to rare or unique plant communities; it also reorganizes the public-benefit rating table and proposes increasing the application fee to reduce marginal applications.

Staff said they “added language in the general requirements to inform applicants regarding potential of the penalties that was asked by the assessor’s office,” adjusted administrative terms at the assessor’s request, and “added requirements for a protection plan to be submitted if requesting a reduction for rare or unique plant communities.” The draft would exclude certain lands and set a general…