Planning commission keeps new resort‑definition policy in West End, asks staff to draft zoning standards

The Clallam County Planning Commission on March 18 agreed to retain proposed policy language in the Western Region portion of the county comprehensive plan that directs staff to develop definitions and development standards for resort and destination‑resort facilities.

The commission’s discussion followed public comments urging clearer rules for resort development and a lengthy staff presentation explaining why county code treats master‑planned resorts (MPRs) differently from smaller resort facilities. Planning staff noted the county had set a scale threshold of no less than 240 acres to distinguish an MPR — which requires a binding site plan and planned‑unit‑development‑style review — from smaller resort uses that can be processed as conditional uses.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county lacks clear, specific standards for resort‑type developments between roughly 10 and 239 acres and that ambiguity has allowed a variety of overnight‑accommodation projects to proceed under conditional‑use review. Several speakers argued that without clearer countywide definitions and use‑table changes, the rural character, water supplies and emergency‑service capacity in the western districts could be stressed.

What commissioners decided: By voice vote the commission accepted staff’s recommendation to keep the new subsection in the Western Region plan for now. The commission directed staff to draft: - a working definition that distinguishes primitive campgrounds, motels/hotels, resort facilities, and master‑planned resorts; - density and facility‑coverage standards (for example, staff cited existing MPR guidance that retains ~40% open space and limits overnight accommodation density in MPRs); - standards for buffering, emergency service access, noise and lighting; and - expanded notification where uses rely on private or shared drives.

Commissioners said the West End will be used as a pilot area for the standards; if the approach works, staff may adapt the definitions and zoning changes countywide. Several commissioners also asked that the work include outreach to the Western Region business community and the West End advisory groups.

Voices from the meeting: Resident Heather Cantua thanked staff for reviewing submitted comments and urged clearer local ordinances so residents can give meaningful input. "I shared that at the West End Business and Professional Association meeting this morning, and a lot of the people ... supported it," she said. Planning staff explained the historical intent behind the MPR threshold: "County code did decide to set a scale of no less than 240 acres because these are typically envisioned to be larger‑scale resort communities," staff said during the presentation.

Next steps: Staff will draft proposed definitions and code amendments and return to the commission and public for review, starting with West End stakeholders. The commission also discussed forming or using an advisory committee to help shape standards before any countywide roll‑out.