Year of the Rural - Public Hearing | 11.10.2025
On November 10, 5:30pm, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing on the Year of the Rural documents. This is the portion of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan specifically related to Rural and Resource Lands Use.
Kitsap’s rural nature is the reason many of us have made it our home. The preservation and quality of our county’s rural character cannot be taken for granted in these times of rapid change.
Yesterday, KEC leaders submitted the attached comments in preparation for the public hearing. We urge others to submit comments through the comment form and/or to make a comment at the public hearing. Feel free to draw on the attached letter for ideas or raise other issues of importance to you. You can attend the public hearing in person or by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89632189186
By phone, dial 1-253-215-8782; Webinar ID: 896 3218 9186.
Year of the Rural - KEC Letter to Board of Commissioners
November 5, 2025
TO: Kitsap Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Kitsap Environmental Coalition (KEC)
RE: Comments on Kitsap County Year of the Rural Documents for BOCC Public Hearing
The Kitsap Environmental Coalition (KEC), as a key stakeholder, has carefully reviewed the draft Rural and Resource Lands (R&RL) Chapter and the Reclassification Requests Staff Report, with particular attention to environmental considerations.
We thank Heather Cleveland for her leadership in organizing the County’s outreach, which has enabled community participation in this critical process. Below are KEC’s overarching comments and recommendations.
Rural and Resource Lands (R&RL) Chapter. We appreciate the Planning Commission’s additions to the R&RL chapter in response to public input (Goal 17; Policy 13.5; and Strategy 12.a).We build on their work with important enhancements that can significantly strengthen environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainability in Kitsap County.
1. Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity: In addition to the inclusion of Goal 17 to address wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity, we urge careful consideration of the differing needs of species and the complexities of maintaining functional corridors.
2. Protect Critical Areas: We urge the following enhancements to support the Critical Areas Ordinance.
a. Wetlands and stream protection: Update County mapping of wetlands and streams to include their protective buffers – as the City of Poulsbo has done with their mapping of fish-bearing stream buffers. Display of buffers on the Parcel Search tool would accurately inform prospective builders of CAO restrictions. Such maps also help correlation of wildlife corridors.
b. Water quality and quantity: The new Policy 13.5, which calls for identifying and protecting natural areas contributing to aquifer recharge, is essential to safeguarding both water quality and water quantity. Recommendation: Revise the Rural Character Definition to reference both water quality and quantity, as the current language includes only water quality.
3. Non-motorized transportation (Strategy 12.a): We commend the greater attention to safe non-motorized travel in rural areas (Strategy 12.a) and recommend an added emphasis on connecting communities to promote accessibility, safety, and social cohesion.
4. Support local agriculture: Establish and maintain a strong Agricultural Advisory Council to advise the County on policies and codes that include ensuring a resilient local food system in the face of changing climate conditions. (Note that we have not submitted comments on Agricultural Codes, as we believe it is first essential to establish an Agricultural Advisory Council, which should then play a central role in code development and revisions.)
5. Support best available science use: Promote forestry and agricultural practices grounded in Best Available Science, that support long-term land and forest health and climate resilience.
Reclassification Requests. KEC reviewed the Staff Report on the three reclassification requests with focus on environmental impacts, legal mandates, and consistency with the Kitsap County Code (KCC). We considered factors including past permit denials, public input, and the multiple criteria required under two KCC sections.
While we recognize that reclassifications may sometimes be appropriate, the County Code requires that all criteria be met—a standard these requests do not fulfill. The burden of proof lies with the applicant and they have not met that burden of proof. Thus, we oppose the proposed reclassification requests.
We also recommend the BOCC:
1. Establish Clear Guidance for Future Applications
Require applicants to address environmental conditions explicitly and demonstrate full compliance with the Critical Areas Ordinance.
2. Ensure Transparency and Public Engagement
Announce the next application period for rezone and land designation requests well in advance to allow meaningful public participation.
We appreciate the Planning Commission’s dedication to the Year of the Rural review, though we note their limited time and data hindered a thorough evaluation of the reclassification requests.
Implementation and Ongoing Review. Once the R&RL Chapter is adopted, we urge the BOCC and relevant departments to conduct regular, transparent reviews of the chapter’s implementation. Turning goals and policies into real-world outcomes requires consistent monitoring, public reporting, and adaptive management.
Sincerely,
KEC Board: Martha Burke, Bob Gilby, David Onstad, Beverly Parsons, Russ Sciandra, Dave Shorett
KEC Year of the Rural Working Group: Marion Allen, Martha Burke, Joe Forsthoffer, Joe Lubischer, Beth Nichols, Doug Hayman , Paul Larson, Beverly Parsons, Carol Price, April Ryan, Robin Salthouse, Dave Shorett, Margaret Tufft, Pat Weagant, Steve Weagant
