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Staff outlines 'Year of the Rural' plan, schedule and three deliverables
Summary
Kitsap County staff presented a 'Year of the Rural' package that would add a rural and resource lands chapter to the comprehensive plan, propose code updates (child care, equestrian, agriculture), and handle three reclassification requests; staff described outreach, a draft comment period, and a timeline leading to BOCC consideration in November/December.
Kitsap County Department of Community Development staff told the Planning Commission Sept. 23 that the Year of the Rural package will become a distinct chapter of the comprehensive plan and includes three deliverables: a rural and resource lands chapter, a set of proposed code updates, and recommendations on three reclassification requests.
"So tonight, we're here to talk about year of the rule," Scott Deener, manager of planning, said as he introduced the project overview and next steps. Heather Cleveland, long-range planner, then reviewed the draft chapter's goals and a list of proposed code updates including childcare, equestrian facility standards, and agriculture-code clarifications. Cleveland said the draft is tied to the Growth Management Act and would be integrated into Chapter 2 of the comprehensive plan if the Board approves it in December.
Staff emphasized outreach activity: two surveys in 2025 (one with more than 1,000 participants), three in-county workshops in June, briefings with community advisory councils and an open house on Sept. 11. Cleveland told commissioners the public comment period for the Planning Commission opened Sept. 2 and will be open through Nov. 10, the scheduled BOCC hearing date.
Why it matters: staff framed the update as a 20-year policy direction affecting land use, rural character, working lands, resource lands and potential code changes that would affect child care availability, equestrian operations and agricultural uses. Staff also flagged follow-ups including an equestrian facility code working group that will meet publicly before the BOCC hearing.
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