County planner outlines zoning changes and infrastructure constraints to spur housing

Bruce Emery, the county’s director of development, told the Clallam County West End advisory committee the county is proposing land‑use and zoning changes intended to allow more multifamily housing in the Clallam Bay/CQ urban growth area.

Emery said the county plans to reclassify parts of the current URH (urban residential high) zone to a “moderate density” designation that would allow up to about 15 units per acre in some urban areas, opening the door to apartment‑scale projects, townhouses and expanded accessory dwelling‑unit allowances. “We're proposing to change the zoning from the URH designation to the moderate density designation,” Emery said, adding that the change is intended to meet requirements in the state Growth Management Act and to create options for affordable housing.

He emphasized limits that will constrain development, including groundwater and geological conditions in the Straits region that restrict domestic water withdrawals. The county plans further study and coordination with utilities, Emery said, noting that “more study of the region's water resources [is] needed along with additional efforts focused on naturally increasing water storage for resilience against drought impacts.”

Community members and committee members raised practical barriers: remote parcels are often steep, costly to prepare for housing, and lack sewer, water and power connections. Several residents said local job availability, grocery and service infrastructure and year‑round employment are necessary to keep families in new housing. One resident said simply building homes without local jobs risks creating vacant units.

The planning staff discussed policy tools the county is considering, including 0‑lot‑line rowhouses, incentives to encourage medium‑ and long‑term rental of owner properties (rather than short‑term rentals), and monitoring or targeted limits on short‑term rental conversions. Emery and attendees also discussed manufactured housing and targeted capital investments to bring utilities to candidate development parcels. He noted that port officials have expressed interest in economic development partnerships and that a new marine barging facility and maritime‑industry land uses could produce jobs that support housing demand.

The committee discussed next steps: staff will continue outreach with the planning commission, the Port of Port Angeles and community groups to refine zoning language, pursue grant opportunities for infrastructure and monitor impacts such as short‑term rentals. No formal land‑use decisions were made at the meeting.