Carlsborg Urban Growth Area

Draft Sewer Facilities Plan for Carlsborg UGA - Click on the following path to view the draft plan www.clallampud.net/water/sewer_study.asp

On December 5, 2000, Clallam County established the 560-acre Carlsborg Urban Growth Area (UGA). As part of this designation, Clallam County:

1. Established new community visions, land use designations, and policies under Section 31.03.350 of the Sequim-Dungeness Regional Comprehensive Plan;
2. Adopted a Carlsborg Capital Facilities Plan in 2000 to support existing and future community growth;
3. Adopted new Carlsborg UGA Zoning Regulations; and
4. Issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the environmental impacts and alternatives related to these adopted plans and regulations.

Carlsborg Sewer Feasibility Study—In late 2006 and 2007, Clallam County and Public Utility District No. 1 of Clallam County (PUD) jointly sponsored a sewer feasibility study.  Nitrate concentrations in the groundwater were rising indicating that on-site septic systems might not be adequately treating sewage.  The Sewer Feasibility Study established the preliminary planning and cost basis for the PUD, Clallam County, and the Carlsborg community to decide whether developing a sewer system to serve the Carlsborg UGA was appropriate.  The consultant BHC, Inc. of Seattle found that a sewer treatment plant and Class A water reuse system was feasible from a technical, environmental, regulatory, and financial standpoint.  The cost of providing the sewer treatment and reuse systems to an initial service area of the UGA was estimated at $13 million.  The Sewer Feasibility Study was finalized in July 2007.  (Click here to view the study).

General Sewer/Facility Plan--Since the Carlsborg Feasibility Study was finalized in 2007, the County and PUD applied for and received funds to continue the sewer system project to its next phase.  In July 2008 the County and PUD signed an MOA for Phase 2 of the project to bring a sewer system with wastewater and water reuse to the Carlsborg UGA.  Contract negotiations should be finalized shortly with the consultant BHC, enabling them to commence Phase 2 in September 2008.  Phase 2 will use much of the documentation developed for the July 2007 Carlsborg Sewer Feasibility Study and will implement several of the next steps outlined in the feasibility study.  Completion of these steps is required by the state regulation and for obtaining state and federal funding.  The main parts of Phase 2 include a land use analysis, combined general sewer/facility plan, conceptual benefit study, financial plan, and local utility formation.  A draft of the facilities plan is available for review at: www.clallampud.net/water/sewer_study.asp

WWGMHB Decision and Impacts to the Carlsborg UGA—On April 23, 2008 the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGMHB) determined that the County was noncompliant with the Growth Management Act (GMA).  The Hearings Board Decision found that the County was not compliant with the provisions of the GMA for providing sewer service in the Carlsborg UGA and that the Carlsborg Capital Facilities Plan for police service does not comply with GMA.  (Click here for more information on the WWGMHB Decision).

The Hearings Board found the Carlsborg UGA to be non-compliant and invalid.  The Hearing Board's decision does not change zoning in the UGA or remove Carlsborg's status as a UGA.  However, being termed invalid restricts development in the UGA according to RCW 36.70A.302.

• Interim Controls for the Carlsborg UGA--The Board of County Commissioners established interim control measures for the Carlsborg UGA in response to WWGMHB additional findings of "invalidity".  With such findings of ‘invalidity', and except as allowed under the interim controls, Clallam County is prevented from accepting most development applications in the areas affected by invalidity.  State law allows for a very few exceptions: 1) for construction of single-family houses on pre-existing lots for the applicant's own use or their family's use; 2) for re-modeling or expanding pre-existing structures; and 3) boundary line adjustments that do not increase the number of buildable lots.  Additionally, because of the lack of sewer and the public health and safety concerns, the remodeling or expanding pre-existing structures is possible if there is no additional septic capacity required.
   
• Compliance Response—The County's response on Carlsborg is two-fold: the County is appealing the Hearings Board's decision on Carlsborg and the County is working towards compliance.  On July 8, 2008, the County appealed the Hearing Board's Decision in regards to the Carlsborg UGA.

On the issue of compliance, staff is recommending that the BOCC request a one year extension.  The year extension will provide the County with the time needed to complete the Land Use Analysis and General Sewer/Feasibility Plan with the Funding Program and allow the County the time and information needed to decide on recommendations for proceeding with the sewer system for wastewater treatment and water reuse and to obtain public comment on the recommendations.

The County is also evaluating our current level of service (LOS) for policing at the Carlsborg UGA.  We anticipate having recommendations on police LOS available for public comment by mid-summer and fall of 2009.

Carlsborg Community Advisory Council—On August 5, 2008, the Board of County Commissioners reestablished by Resolution 62, 2008 the Carlsborg Community Advisory Council (CCAC).  (Click here for more information).  This council represents the diversified interests of the Carlsborg community and its members will make recommendations for the growth and development of the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area.  The CCAC has been meeting almost monthly since January 2009.

Click here for more information on the 2008 Growth Management Act Compliance Proceedings.

For more information on the specific changes being proposed for Carlsborg, follow the links provided, or contact Carol Creasey, Senior Planner, at (360) 417-2423 or  ccreasey@co.clallam.wa.us