The City of Anacortes Planning Commission meeting on September 17, 2025, focused on significant updates to local planning codes, particularly regarding vesting and concurrency regulations. A key proposal discussed was the removal of a confusing sentence regarding site plan vesting, which has caused misunderstandings among applicants. The change aims to clarify that only specific applications, such as land divisions and building permits, vest at the time of application.

Additionally, the commission addressed updates to the concurrency chapter, which governs transportation levels of service. New state law mandates that cities cannot deny permit applications solely based on transportation service levels if impacts can be mitigated through active transportation improvements, such as sidewalks and bike lanes. The proposed changes will require applicants to provide necessary information for concurrency reviews and clarify that they will bear the costs associated with these reviews, including any contracted consultant fees.

The meeting also touched on the topic of childcare facilities in industrial zones. A recent state law requires cities to permit childcare facilities in all zones, with the exception of industrial areas, where they must at least be allowed as conditional uses. This change reflects a growing recognition of the need for childcare services across various sectors.

These updates are part of ongoing efforts to streamline the planning process and ensure compliance with new state regulations, ultimately aiming to enhance development clarity and community services in Anacortes. The commission will continue to refine these proposals in future meetings.