Anacortes planning commission introduces draft 2025–2045 comprehensive plan; public hearing set for Aug. 27

The Anacortes Planning Commission on Aug. 13 reviewed the city’s draft 2025–2045 comprehensive plan update and heard staff identify several proposed future‑land‑use map changes — including a request to re‑designate the parcel containing the Olson Building and a separate proposal to change the Anacortes Museum parcel to a public designation — ahead of a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 27 and a written comment deadline of Aug. 28.

“The comp plan is a required portion of the Growth Management Act…we're planning for 20 years’ worth of projected population growth,” said John Coleman, director of Planning, Community and Economic Development, explaining the purpose of the update and why the city is preparing policy and regulatory changes for a 20‑year horizon.

The draft comprises two volumes: Volume 1 (goals and policies) and Volume 2 (background data and analyses). Libby Grange, planning manager, told commissioners the update integrates new state housing and climate legislation, updates background demographic and facilities inventories, adds a new climate element that did not exist in the 2016 plan, and will be followed by proposed development‑regulation amendments.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan guides land use, housing, utilities, transportation and capital facility decisions for two decades and is the local implementation tool for state Growth Management Act requirements. Grange said staff has conducted extensive outreach — including three open houses, attendance at community events, a mailer sent to about 12,000 addresses and an email project list — and had received more than 145 separate comment letters and…