[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551573,"mediaKeyId","5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92","parentId",5332983,"title","Public commenters press Skagit County on stormwater controls and Lake Cavanaugh road access","audioSeconds",434,"startMs",5032730,"endMs",5466950,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92&start=5032&end=5466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92/thumbnail_5032730.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551573/Skagit-County/Washington/Public-commenters-press-Skagit-County-on-stormwater-controls-and-Lake-Cavanaugh-road-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551573-459be1c426f6fdd7c355b2749f54d0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213460&Signature=cArxQb01TQeDTZFc1~~GNlPzCLoWQgQo8IR3qr9FIJP11LfNzJxBkLg31Mo6r0VN3W7Ez7qrIivh0v9JVUjRnkOuv-5BOx1r37TBLBTkAQAazzr0PADSKjYuRiv1smBqXpdpgZWtBbSHmLgkZhDUX4IskYU93iINc4zfQQ3xEDbXgpnU36~6OuwfjVuE7V2q-f8T3ZsgtuoYbLduS68ezbolEuc2tdhYROF1cFf1P7VgCKbTE9wNCOykjBhc2xc9X~OC4mRHKhfqZ1x4BjRdJqogBBtJKlGPItDUPeezMigh7bLnbYBOz8z1kgSYQdR8Wu7b0f0apkbdxijnG6jxMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skagit County","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","Several members of the public used the county’s July 7 open-comment period to urge stronger stormwater management and to call for repairs to a closed portion of North Shore Road at Lake Cavanaugh.

Jan Edelstein, a Big Lake resident, told commissioners she believes current regulatory triggers and the county’s reliance on the stormwater manual can produce permitted projects that still harm lake function and water quality. “The answer is not sufficient in my opinion,” Edelstein said after staff described how stormwater and critical-area codes interact. She cited a recent approved subdivision above Big Lake and urged the county to require site assessments and stronger on-site retention for projects that increase impervious area.

Other commenters focused on access and public-safety concerns at Lake Cavanaugh. A resident identified as Bridal Humboldt (‘‘Tweedy’’ in the record) said a blocked segment of North Shore Road is covered with debris and that emergency-medical responders cannot drive through to reach homes; the speaker requested restoration of a low-cost road surface to restore access for residents and visitors.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments. Commissioner Browning said he had toured Lake Cavanaugh and called repair of the closed road a priority. Commissioners also noted the county’s stormwater program and permitting framework are separate from the critical-areas code and that existing stormwater permits and municipal programs can require measures beyond the development review process, but public speakers said those programs are insufficient and urged more proactive county action.

Comments at the meeting also included broader political remarks and local event concerns; commissioners set no immediate new policy in response but thanked speakers and noted follow-up avenues — permitting records and staff contact information — for additional input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Skagit County - Record of the Proceedings - Monday Session - Jul 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 7 meeting, residents urged stronger stormwater protections and expressed concern about a long-standing closure of North Shore Road at Lake Cavanaugh, saying both issues affect water quality and public safety.","taxTitle","Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5125,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551575,"Skagit County approves consent agenda and several contract and code items; recusals noted",507,2316210,2823840,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92&start=2316&end=2823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92/thumbnail_2316210.jpg","/articles/6551575/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-approves-consent-agenda-and-several-contract-and-code-items-recusals-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551575-25ec7c3684f2977bb5601d85d151074d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213460&Signature=A-rz2bst4oz8eh1YXV1rP9kMDFuPZiq51eaPkmfECA09IG2sKwRnxdZYTjWQoMmBVcO98esp5wurlObeb1gZ~1tTkao7Niiq6rX0JJgll0rF14-OcJMgQZjeoGjDvY7zLzjrLgLmK6HPS8Mqswi2NhayMjb66z8hjTUiDFKR02Q6U~uM7Hudd7fKlKKOwXPg-xmWcSycrn6~YamVBUcvtdqJLC6jmsnX1ziJ9QQKJ~Nb7F8S1sk5OuTBFA4ZQDdwlhDNSYGU13Tmfi1D8rk1zS47z0ZN1T6K4KfrIxlbDg1H17EU1M6vhSJNfRqpZITgXrFUBta51y3coM1P5oEj5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit County commissioners on July 7 approved a consent agenda of routine items and voted to approve several miscellaneous items and personal service agreements, with recusals recorded where commissioners disclosed potential conflicts.

The board approved consent agenda items 1–22, including an interlocal agreement for county economic development strategy work through SCOG, a vendor services agreement for jail health services with a new provider, ferry subsidy work with the State for Guemes Island Ferry operating deficits, facility remodel contracts for county offices, and road-rights mowing contracts. The motion to approve the consent agenda passed by voice vote.

The commissioners then voted on miscellaneous agenda items. Miscellaneous item 1 amended a personal services agreement for the county’s periodic comprehensive plan update; Commissioner Janicki recused herself because a consultant firm involved (DCG Watershed / Facet) has family ownership connections she disclosed. The amendment extended the term to Dec. 31, 2025, and kept total compensation not to exceed $1,049,915.

The board approved code amendments to Skagit County Code Title 7 addressing dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs (miscellaneous item 2). Prosecutor’s Office staff explained they had received comments and were not recommending substantive changes to the draft; staff and animal-control representatives described the rationale for provisions including a 15-dog threshold that was intended to address large packs where an attacking dog cannot be identified. Commissioners voted to approve the code updates.

The board approved a personal services agreement with Community Action of Skagit County to provide diversion services to households eligible for homelessness services (miscellaneous item 3). Commissioner Janicki recused on that item because of a board affiliation she disclosed.

All motions passed by voice vote; where a commissioner recused the meeting record notes the recusal. No public testimony accompanied these votes during the session.","The board approved its consent agenda and approved amendments/agreements including a consultant amendment for the county comprehensive plan, changes to dangerous-dog code language, and a diversion-services contract; two commissioners recused on items with personal connections.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551576,"Skagit County begins review of updated critical areas ordinance; public hearing set for July 28",1866,1788970,3655550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92&start=1788&end=3655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92/thumbnail_1788970.jpg","/articles/6551576/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-begins-review-of-updated-critical-areas-ordinance-public-hearing-set-for-July-28","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551576-723ae37dac6c47d112c5ae7f799e07f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213460&Signature=d1z9Fhf~WqIqR~wXCVY4VfHsHO1GBCD3c7MkJzHQVsvsfbpReWD5AUTwy-W8lEVhvCXSXxK~J~boPfRfsEf6hYwpM0dbQK-XMSVSZ7P3HPPmLY52HSF6mboPgsDV817sxv9GlyJsM9FACCblBzzD7sLzC0m4iu3Y2tT9NjS8qSzJF71SNHuz2GcD2fbT1XyUMKh7hm3CQjAOOIB-V6LH53rSt72LnrQOSmnXBRlfHpajJaBYvNOmhm4I-rPxjqGjEU7CHwIWgb8yBTTnOiJrGFucfNLvA-xl0kFqxsKyGGmGqct-JDPQ35hbKDCALJsy1dNkD-wbV7trjRebKf9~EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit County commissioners held a work session July 7 on a proposed update to the county’s critical areas ordinance, a multi-section rewrite that staff and outside consultants say aligns code language with best available science and the Growth Management Act.

Dan Nickel, the county’s primary consultant for the update, walked the board through the packet materials, which include a best available science report, a gap analysis and a draft ordinance. “One is the incorporation of the term no net loss,” Nickel said, describing a key objective of the update: protecting functions and values of critical areas over time.

The draft addresses the five categories defined under state guidance — wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, geologically hazardous areas and streams — and proposes structural changes intended to clarify organization, mapping references and application of site-assessment and reasonable-use provisions. Nickel said the draft reorders reasonable-use and variance provisions so reasonable use exceptions are considered before variances in cases where development rights exist but are constrained by critical areas.

Staff outlined several specific edits recommended during Planning Commission review and subsequent staff adjustments: clarifications to estuary-related language at the request of a drainage district, removal of the term “short plat” from habitat corridor requirements (an edit staff said would be included in the adoption draft), reinstatement of limited buffer-reduction allowances applicable only within reasonable-use and variance processes, added flexibility for driveways access beyond a 4,000-square-foot footprint, and allowances for small public structures (under 200 sq ft) in publicly managed parks.

Commissioner Janicki asked staff to pursue better public access to mapped resources. “I still maintain that ... from development now forward, at least there is, we're giving current owners a reminder, future owners a place to look,” Janicki said, urging staff to explore publicly accessible parcel-level records or county-hosted maps that could be updated with state datasets.

Staff noted that mapping gaps exist (not all wetlands have been inventoried) and that site assessments remain the standard practice for permit review; when a critical-area review is completed for a parcel, the approved protected critical-area map is recorded with the county auditor. Nickel and natural-resources planner Andy Wargo said the aquifer-recharge provisions were drafted to target higher-risk uses (for example, industrial sites) and not to require detailed review for typical single-family home construction.

No formal action was taken; the board set a public hearing on the draft for July 28 and scheduled further discussion and possible action for Aug. 4. Staff said supporting documents and the draft ordinance are available on the county website for review.","County staff and consultants presented a draft update to the critical areas ordinance addressing wetlands, aquifer recharge, buffers and the \"no net loss\" standard; the board scheduled a public hearing for July 28 and further discussion on Aug. 4.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551577,"Skagit County extends six-month moratorium on new agritourism permits",498,68360,566420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92&start=68&end=566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332983-411d1da2f4b29d41475836b5aa4c5e92/thumbnail_68360.jpg","/articles/6551577/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-extends-six-month-moratorium-on-new-agritourism-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551577-ed86fde940eb8b017af2502babbcb864/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213460&Signature=b8P1ZZvTw7J5LMb2JQZtkMnsjFPDPAm66bkuAqWLS11x6UOPiaA9HX0jWAQVeMai5FpHAGQ3Z7lw3-UGjWL40r4COo9yavRlZPk69vyuugx51vzxJlRXNwK2Ya7eszGH-bx1r-E~6TGmaoixj8nVMPmT1FkKKqCys~Ow2TW3WFtSbKCB5-UoeZU0C~pd9URiL79HdP6Hcaei6oHKrfqFpZDK3rdmL4PBzucQoSr6pfLVMDbRxEQXw9BZADcq1easn6Fjp2abdCX7LoCQHy8nC32VXs3dB0RcclRk3RkUJgmoOSpNKIRoyVVdGjw0XvGgOCXJml84z9txWhzqF5DCRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skagit County commissioners voted July 7 to extend an interim emergency ordinance that halts acceptance of certain permit applications for activities on agricultural natural resource lands for six months.

The extension, approved by voice vote during the regular meeting, keeps in place a moratorium first adopted Jan. 14 and set to expire July 14. The county’s Planning and Development Services staff said the pause is intended to allow more time to draft clearer code language and enforcement tools related to agritourism uses on agricultural lands.

Senior planner Tara Satushak told the board the original moratorium was intended as an emergency measure to give staff time to develop proposed code addressing agritourism and uses on ag NRL lands. “This moratorium is to provide the department and county more time to write and develop proposed code that would address the concerns regarding agritourism and the ag NRL lands,” Satushak said.

Commissioner Browning, who made the motion to extend, said public comments and stakeholder input show there remains ambiguity about what agritourism activities should be allowed and how to regulate them. “I think maintaining the moratorium for a little while longer would be to our advantage to get the clarity that people are asking for,” Browning said, adding that voluntary compliance agreements with existing operations have been largely successful.

Planning staff reported that a notice of availability for the proposed extension was published June 5, and a public hearing held June 23 drew no public testimony; the public comment period ran June 5–25 and produced six comments, most supporting the moratorium and calling for clearer code and enforcement. Satushak said 15 of 18 existing operations had submitted the required land-use forms documenting their current activities and that staff expect one or two more before the deadline.

Commissioners said the extension is intended to preserve flexibility while staff continues to consult with agricultural stakeholders and an agritourism advisory group. The motion to extend passed by voice vote with commissioners signaling “aye.”

The interim ordinance extends the moratorium for six months from its scheduled July 14 expiration; staff said they hope to have voluntary compliance agreements finalized in August and complete code updates by 2026.","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted to extend an interim emergency ordinance halting acceptance of certain permit applications for uses on agricultural natural resource lands for six months while staff finalizes code updates addressing agritourism.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters press Skagit County on stormwater controls and Lake Cavanaugh road access

Skagit County approves consent agenda and several contract and code items; recusals noted

Skagit County begins review of updated critical areas ordinance; public hearing set for July 28

Skagit County extends six-month moratorium on new agritourism permits