Land Use

Recommendation that all agriculturally related Land Use goals and policies move to a new section under Resource Lands.

Agricultural Lands

Recommendation that this goal and policies be moved to Economic DevelopmentorHousing and Human Servicessection of Comp Plan. Also, add definition of Food System to glossary.

Land Use Goal 8. Promote food security, food systems, local food production, and public health by encouraging locally based food production, distribution, and choice through urban agriculture, community gardens, farmers markets, and food access initiatives.

Land Use Policy 32. Promote inter-agency and intergovernmental cooperation to expand community gardening opportunities.

Land Use Policy 33. Support the development and adoption of joint-use agreements on publicly-owned sites or institutional facilities to allow gardens, distribution and sales.

Land Use Policy 34. Prioritize underserved communities, including communities with “food deserts” e.g. lack of grocery stores, as areas for potential locations for community gardens, farmers markets, and local food access programs.

Land Use Policy 35. Consider allowing alternative retail models including pop-ups and mobile markets.

Commented [EC1]: Definition for food security added in glossary

There are no goals to support remaining policies in this section. Recommendation as follows.

Land Use Goal 14. Preserve and expand land suitable for agricultural production within the County through regulatory and non-regulatory means.

Land Use Policy 55. Re-examine and, if appropriate, adopt or amend criteria used to determine if land meeting Growth Management Act designation criteria as Agricultural Resource Land exists within the county.

Land Use Policy 56. Explore creation of a “no-net-loss” policy for agricultural lands.

Land Use Policy 57. Foster agriculture opportunities by promoting flexibility in development regulations.

Land Use Policy 58. Continue regulatory and non-regulatory preservation of historic or working farm land, particularly through tax policy, conservation easements, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), Purchase of Development Rights (PDR), innovative design criteria and the establishment of a small farms institute, to encourage small farms. Some historic Kitsap County working farms should be preserved for food and fiber production, educational and scenic purposes.

Land Use Policy 59. Develop and implement new and existing models of land ownership which invite next-generation farmers.

Land Use Policy 60. Assess and if feasible support and incentivize the development and adoption of joint use agreements on publicly-owned lands or institutional facilities for agriculture production, processing and distribution.

Land Use Policy 61. Coordinate with federal, state and local governments, community groups, and private landowners to promote long-term preservation of farmlands.

Land Use Policy 62. Develop and promote incentives for continued agricultural uses.

Land Use Policy 63. Review development regulations to consider impacts of non-farm-related commercial or industrial uses on agricultural areas.

Land Use Goal 15. Promote diverse agricultural activities.

Land Use Policy 64.Land Use Policy 59. The Kitsap County Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory shall be the basis for Kitsap’s food system, including agriculture, policies and programs developed by the County. Agricultural mapping detailed in the plan shall be maintained and refined.

Land Use Policy 65.Land Use Policy 60. Allow agricultural activities and practices from cultivation to harvest as well as on-farm value-added processing within the Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts or the Farming Focus Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

Land Use Goal 16. Retain and preserve land suitable for agricultural production and encourage the continued practice of farming within the County through regulatory and non-regulatory means.

Land Use Policy 66.Land Use Policy 61. Permit all agricultural uses as defined KCC 17.110.050 and agricultural activities as defined in Revised Code of Washington 7.48.310 in the Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts.

Land Use Policy 67.Land Use Policy 62. Slaughtering facilities, meat packing or commercial feed lots shall be limited to the Farming Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

Land Use Policy 68.Land Use Policy 63. Develop and adopt standardscriteria forpermitting temporary farm worker housing standards and policies to allow for construction of farm worker housing and infrastructure.

Land Use Policy 69.Land Use Policy 64. Consider procedures to notify neighboring landowners about approved agricultural uses in the Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts.

Land Use Policy 70.Land Use Policy 65. Coordinate with federal, state and local governments, community groups, and private landowners to promote long-term preservation of farmlands.

Land Use Policy 71.Land Use Policy 66. Develop regulations that permit appropriate farm-related activities secondary to primary farm operations in Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts. This includes, but is not limited to, farm infrastructure buildings, commercial activities in conjunction with adding value to products grown on the farm (on-farm processing, community kitchens), farm stands and sales, and other essential farm support activities.

Land Use Policy 72.Land Use Policy 67. Develop and promote incentives for continued resource uses, including but not limited to a Transfer of Development Rights program, an expedited agricultural activity permit review program, and educational and agritourism activities.

Land Use Policy 73.Land Use Policy 68. Recognize recreational equine activities and animal grazing uses as compatible uses with agricultural uses and activities because of their economic contribution to the County’s agricultural industry and for preserving large parcels of land for other agricultural uses.

Land Use Policy 74.Land Use Policy 69. Review and amend development regulations to consider impacts of non-farm-related commercial or industrial uses to the Farming Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

Land Use Goal 17. Develop and maintain adequate rural public facilities and services that support local agriculture.

Land Use Policy 75.Land Use Policy 70. Water is an agricultural necessity. Develop and adopt policies with appropriate local, county and state agencies to promote viable coordinated water resources for greater accessibility to water rights for agriculture usage.

Recommended changes.

Agricultural Lands

Kitsap County has a rich and diverse agricultural heritage that dates back to the early 1900’s. As commerce changed from timber to naval ship making, cleared lands shifted into agricultural uses. Mostly congregating around cities, towns or other places with population density, early farms took advantage of the maritime climate and lush valleys created by glacial activity, producing such products as: fruit and vegetable crops, dairy, meat, poultry, Christmas trees, and holly. Farmers began using the Mosquito Fleet ferry system to transport goods to Seattle and other metropolitan areas, making Kitsap County a leader in local food distribution. With the onset of World War II agriculture flourished with the addition of victory gardens and 4H gardens helping to create a sustainable culture in Kitsap County. After the war, agriculture continued to grow in the area, but by the 1940’s the economy shifted yet again, this time from resource dependent industries to technology based industry. This change created an influx of population growth, transferring prime agricultural lands into non agricultural uses.

Land Use Goal 16.To meet requirements of the Growth Management Act to maintain and enhance agriculture, RCW 36.70A.177, Kitsap County will recognize the diverse nature of farms and the cultural value that farms bring to our community through their preservation of open space, environmental benefits, economic growth and access to healthy lifestyle . Farmlands are an irreplaceable resource. The Kitsap County Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory shall be the basis for Kitsap’s food system, including agriculture, policies and programs developed by the County. Agricultural mapping detailed in the plan shall be maintained and refined. Kitsap County will retain, preserve and expand land suitable for agricultural production and encourage the continued practice of diversified agricultural activities through regulatory and non-regulatory means.

Land Use Policy 62. Allow agricultural activities and practices from cultivation to harvest as well as on-farm value-added processing within the Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts or the Farming Focus Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

Land Use Policy 63. Foster agriculture opportunities by promoting flexibility in development regulations.

Land Use Policy 64. Recognize animal grazing as a compatible use with agricultural uses and activities because of its economic contribution to the County’s agricultural industry and for preserving large parcels of land for other agricultural uses.Move equine activities to rural land use, economic development and parks. Protection to non commercial farms and needed space for grazing animals. Equine specific business protection: stables, tours. Maintain trails adequate for equine activities.

Land Use Goal 17. In order to maintain and operate their farms, farmers need assistance to sustain viability in the face of increasing urbanization, soil degradation, increased flooding and water scarcity. Kitsap County will develop and maintain adequate rural and urban facilities and services that support agriculture.

Land Use Policy 65. Pursue new innovations that are supportive of agricultural resource management.

The following policies should be moved to the Land Use strategies section.

Strategy 1 – Regional Emphasis

Partnerships: Coordinate with federal, state and local governments, community groups, and private landowners to promote long-term preservation of farmlands, such as, “no-net-loss” policy.

Strategy 2 – Focus on Community Development

Projects and Programs: Assess and if feasible support and incentivize the development and adoption of joint use agreements on publicly-owned lands or institutional facilities for agriculture production, processing and distribution.

Strategy 3 – Recognize Diversity in Land Uses

Projects and Programs: Create Policies and Programs supporting Kitsap County’s food system based on the Kitsap County Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

  • Review and amend development regulations to consider impacts of non-farm-related commercial or industrial uses to the Farming Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.
  • Slaughtering facilities, meat packing or commercial feed lots shall be limited to the Farming Areas identified in the Agricultural Strategic Plan and Inventory.

Projects and Programs: Develop and implement new and existing models of land ownership which invite next-generation farmers.

Strategy 4 – Review, Revision, and Creation of Zoning Code

Projects and Programs: Re-examine and, if appropriate, adopt or amend criteria used to determine if land meeting Growth Management Act designation criteria as Agricultural Resource Land exists within the county.

Projects and Programs: Continue regulatory and non-regulatory preservation of historic or working farm land, particularly through tax policy, conservation easements, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), Purchase of Development Rights (PDR), innovativedesign criteria and the establishment of a small farms institute, to encourage small farms. Some historic Kitsap County working farms should be preserved for food and fiber production, educational and scenic purposes.

Projects and Programs: Permit all agricultural uses as defined KCC 17.110.050 and agricultural activities as defined in Revised Code of Washington 7.48.310 in the Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts, and consider procedures to notify neighboring landowners of approved agricultural uses.

Projects and Programs: Develop regulations that permit appropriate farm-related activities secondary to primary farm operations in Rural Wooded, Rural Protection and Rural Residential zoning districts. This includes, but is not limited to, farm infrastructure buildings, commercial activities in conjunction with adding value to products grown on the farm (on-farm processing, community kitchens), farm stands and sales, and other essential farm support activities.

Projects and Programs: Develop and promote incentives for continued resource uses, including but not limited to a Transfer of Development Rights program, an expedited agricultural activity permit review program, and educational and agritourism activities.

Strategy 5 – Continuous Improvement

Partnerships: Partner with appropriate local, county, tribal and state agencies to promote viable coordinated water resources for greater accessibility to water rights for agriculture usage.

Projects and Programs: Develop strategies for water collection, storage and reuse.

Projects and Programs: Develop and promote incentives for continued agricultural uses.