the County Seal

Yesterday at their regular bi-weekly meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directed the Department of Community Development (DCD) to move forward with a Historical District (that would be us!), but limit decision-making to a Hearings Examiner and to major and minor construction. ‘Administrative Approval’ (of minor items such as tree removal, location of TV dishes, and types of fencing) will be taken out of the ordinance completely.

Enforcement of the current and future ordinance was part of the directive – a refreshing and hopeful aspect, in my opinion. For several years we have been told that there is neither funding nor manpower to enforce compliance with the existing ordinance which, predictably, has resulted in some residents ignoring the process completely. Presumably, letters have already been sent out to recent ‘transgressors’ giving them fourteen days to respond.

Pacific County Courthouse, Oysterville (1875-1893)

The new ordinance will go into effect in 2017 so, practically speaking, the DCD has a year to revise, replace, or otherwise adjust the current ordinance and its accompanying guidelines. In one form or another those items – the ordinance and the guidelines – have been ‘on the books’ for almost 40 years. The National Historic District has been able to retain its character and ambience because of them.

But, times change. Contrary to the opinion of many, Oysterville is no longer (if it ever was) a cohesive group of neighbors willing to work together for the ‘common good.’ In the matter of design guidelines and laws pertaining to them, we run the gamut. There are those who say “my property, my right to decide”; there are those who feel the status quo with the current guidelines and ordinance is just fine; and there are several groups who fall somewhere in the middle.

Pacific County Auditor’s Office, c. 1890

Two of the ‘factions’ were present at yesterday’s meeting. We sat on opposite sides of the room and our representatives addressed the Commissioners briefly, even though this was not a public hearing. One group asked that the BOCC throw out the current ordinance “immediately” and the other urged that those items that currently fall under administrative approval be included in some way in the revised ordinance. Chairman Frank Wolfe underscored that the County will continue to operate under the current set-up until 2017.

The DCD is eager for community involvement and I’m sure our work is cut out for us. It will be interesting to see how (or if) the residents work together toward a common outcome. I suspect that there will be as many proposals from our community for the new ordinance and guidelines as there are opinions in this tiny thirteen-person village. The next year will be interesting, if nothing else.

Bottom line – all of those letters and emails our supporters wrote and all of you who attended the Community Meeting here in Oysterville in October had a positive effect. Thanks to the concern of the community, we have been given the gift of time. I do so hope we don’t squander it in squabbling!