Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Kitsap Planning Commission deadlocks on Boundary Line Adjustment code after amendments; findings moved to April 7
Loading...
Summary
After passing several targeted amendments — including an expedited five-business-day review tied to purchase-and-sale agreements and new recording guidance — the Kitsap County Planning Commission deadlocked 4–4 on final approval of the Boundary Line Adjustment code on March 17 and unanimously postponed Findings of Fact to April 7.
The Kitsap County Planning Commission on March 17 failed to approve a proposed Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) code after a 4–4 tie, even as commissioners adopted several amendments that change review timelines and recording requirements.
Chair Ashlee Hall presided over a virtual meeting during which Department of Community Development (DCD) staff Rafe Wysham (DCD Director), Scott Diener (DCD Planning Manager) and Garrett Ballew (DCD Long Range Planner) presented an overview of the draft code. Commissioners used a paragraph-by-paragraph approach to consider the draft; Commissioner Adrienne Hampton moved to consider by paragraph and recommend adoption, a motion that passed unanimously.
The commission approved several amendments that alter the draft code. Commissioner Ryan Wixson successfully moved to remove the word "tidelands" from section C.4 and then to add an exception clarifying that the restriction does not apply to properties that already cross zone classification districts, urban growth areas, overlay districts, or jurisdictional boundaries. Wixson also moved and won an amendment to section D establishing a limited expedited-review option: "approve a five-business day priority review when a real estate purchase and sale agreement is provided with the application," which passed 7–1.
On recording and survey guidance, the commission passed (7–1) an amendment to section K requiring applicants to record final documents (a recordable survey or recordable exhibit map, revised legal descriptions, notice to title, and any deeds) within one year of approval and adding a sentence encouraging applicants that not all BLAs require a full field survey. A subsequent motion to direct DCD to add specific state statutory (RCW) language about surveyor discretion failed on a 4–4 vote after discussion about legal sourcing and staff drafting authority.
The final motion to approve the BLA code as presented and amended, moved by Commissioner Adrienne Hampton, resulted in a 4–4 tie and failed. Following a short break and additional staff discussion, Chair Ashlee Hall moved to postpone the Findings of Fact hearing to the commission's April 7 meeting; that postponement passed unanimously.
Members of the public and local real estate professionals addressed the commission in both public comment periods. Speakers who identified themselves included Linda Wood (Central Kitsap resident, realtor), Jamie Clough (Kitsap resident, KBA), Richard A. Brown (Kitsap resident, realtor), William Palmer, Bruce MacLearnsberry (land surveyor), Gary Chapman and Frank Leach (North Kitsap realtor). Comments focused on the proposed BLA changes, recording and survey requirements, and the public comment process.
Commissioner Adrienne Hampton also announced she will be on maternity leave and will not attend meetings until August. Chair Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
What happens next The commission will reconvene the Findings of Fact for the Boundary Line Adjustment code at its April 7 meeting; any formal approval of the code remains pending until that hearing and any subsequent procedural steps are complete.