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Sharps Corner study finds site limits large-scale affordable housing; council discusses next steps
Summary
A city-commissioned feasibility study presented Aug. 11 found significant wetlands, steep slopes and a gas-pipeline easement on the 37-acre Sharps Corner parcel, constraining buildable area and raising costs for affordable housing. Councilmembers discussed budgeting for wetland delineation and pursuing a developer RFQ as next steps.
The Anacortes City Council on Aug. 11 received a city-contracted study of the 37-acre Sharps Corner property that concluded site constraints—wetlands, steep slopes and utility easements—substantially limit the area available for housing and commercial development.
John Coleman, the city’s director of planning, community and economic development, told the council the city-owned parcel southwest of the Sharps Corner roundabouts is encumbered by a natural-gas pipeline easement, power lines, steep slopes on the western side and a wetland complex around Howard Creek. "The buildable area is largely constrained," Coleman said, adding the study focused on roughly 5 to 5.5 acres of upland on the property’s east side as the most likely developable area.
Coleman framed the study in regional housing terms: countywide planning policies, he said,…
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