Planning commission debates public-park bonus, dedication, and building massing in marine mixed-use zone

Acting Chair called the Oct. 1 special meeting of the Anacortes Planning Commission to continue review of proposed 2025 development regulation amendments for Title 19, focusing on the marine mixed-use (MMU) zone and related form and intensity standards.

The commission, staff and a developer representative debated how the MMU public-park bonus should work. Libby Grange, Planning Manager for the City of Anacortes Planning, Community and Economic Development Department, told the commission that the current code allows developers to earn additional height by providing certain public amenities including “space for a public park equal to at least 5% of the gross floor area of the building, but not less than 10,000 square feet in area on a site agreed by and dedicated to the city.” Grange said staff’s recommendation is to keep the 5% requirement and the 10,000-square-foot minimum and consider making it a double bonus (worth 20 feet) rather than a single 10-foot height bonus.

Jimmy Blaze, representing MJB Properties, said the 10,000-square-foot…