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Time limits lifted on Waldron

posted 01/26/01
Waldron Island's conditional use permit limitations -- 15-year-time limit and no transferability -- have been dropped. The BOCC amended the Waldron Subarea Plan Tuesday, Jan. 24 and eliminated those rules in order to make the plan consistent with the county's Comp Plan. Micki Bostrum of Waldron Island argued for the limits. "Is there a need for such a policy countywide? Yes. The rest of the county just doesn't know it yet."

At least one commissioner agreed with the concept. County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said, "We do need to look at time limits for conditional use permits and other types of permits -- transient rentals for example." She directed Planning Director Laura Arnold to add the issue of time limits to the Unified Development Code amendment docket.

The Waldron Subarea Plan has been the subject of heated debate among the island's residents for several years. In September 15, 2000 the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board ruled time limitations for conditional use permits on the island were inconsistent with the county's Comp Plan. Subarea plans are allowed as long as they are reviewed for consistency with the county's Comp Plan.

Elimination of the special rules on Waldron Island conditional use permits should resolve the issue of inconsistency. Permits issued while the time limitation was in effect will not be affected by the amendment. Two permits were issued under the 15-year time limit rules -- one for logging transfer and one for propane storage. Both of the permits will have to be renewed after 15 years.