KINGSTON — When stately trees began disappearing and construction equipment materialized in their place, Rash Road residents felt that their neighborhood values had been slighted by the land clearing as well.

They were also confused, having few facts about the development that has been planned for the area, and no prior warning that land clearing and construction was set to begin.

“All of the sudden in April and May, they were back there with equipment,” said Rash Road resident Sue Duffin. “They always claimed they were surveying the road.”

Duffin said road surveys generally don’t involve clearing large areas of trees and creating easements.

Rash Road resident Cindy Dudley said the neighborhood was concerned, even though residents there knew the property was slated for development. She said most residents figured that proper procedures would be followed before land clearing and construction started.

“Then we saw machines brought in, and we said, ‘What a minute, what’s going on?’” Dudley said. “This is a little road. When things start disappearing, we notice.”

“We started calling the county when we didn’t see any permits posted for the work they were doing,” Duffin said.

While the fate of the 70-acre plot near Rash’s intersection with Parcells Road is uncertain and residents are up in arms, Central Sound Construction owner Mark England maintains he has followed the protocol and procedures the county has laid out for him.

“We did not clear more than one acre per lot,” England said, speaking of the nine lots that are part of the development, and adding that only a few areas have been cleared. “We opened up the easement road. When we received the stop-work order, we turned in permits and are waiting for the county to go through their process.”

It is perfectly legal to clear less than one acre of land without a permit, said Kitsap County Department of Community Development assistant director of permitting Jeff Rowe-Hornbaker. Even so, neighbors voiced concerns about the clearing of an easement, which is not allowed without a permit, he added. The county has issued a stop-work order for the easement clearing, Rowe-Hornbaker said. This will continue to be in effect until England has obtained the proper permits.

“No permits have been issued or will be issued until some fundamental questions are answered,” DCD planner Philip Fletcher told Rash Road residents during an Aug. 2 Kingston Citizens Advisory Committee meeting.

He said Central Sound had permission to have walking equipment on the property and clear brush away to a maximum width of eight feet for surveying. “I’ve been told, assured, they cannot continue if they are doing more than that.”

“It appeared they were working as fast and furiously as possible,” Duffin said, speculating that Central Sound is trying to build an easement to a different development called Laurel View Estates. “My perception is they want to get another access way built in there. I’m afraid the county will think if the trees are already down, they’re halfway done, they may as well finish.”

As far as the property goes, England said the neighbors certainly had the opportunity to take steps and, if they saw fit, protect it from development.

“That project was for sale for a while. If they wanted to buy it and set it aside for opportunities, they had the chance,” England said of Rash Road residents. “I don’t know what else to tell them.”

Duffin and Dudley feel the work occurring is outside the rules and laws of the county, and both are concerned with the continuation of the Rash Road development, especially considering an extensive wetland that is on the property.

“Another issue is they are going through asking for permits one site at a time?” Duffin said. “It’s not going in as a development. They’re trying to slide by the county. I think that’s a crock.”

“The channels have not be gone through for this,” Dudley added. “I’m surprised this is happening.”