Anacortes planning commission approves shoreline permit to reduce flooding on Fidalgo Bay Road

The Anacortes Planning Commission on Aug. 20 approved a shoreline substantial development permit for stormwater improvements along Fidalgo Bay Road intended to reduce road flooding during heavy rain events.

The permit, for work led by the City of Anacortes Public Works Department, clears a project to add an overflow outlet and associated trenching and outfall infrastructure on a stretch of Fidalgo Bay Road near the Fidalgo Bay Resort and RV park. The commission voted unanimously to approve the permit with a revision to a condition requiring planning-department review before removal of any trees in the adjacent conservancy shoreline environment designation.

City stormwater program manager Aaron Esterholt told the commission the existing infiltration vault “works fine during normal flows,” but “when we have a heavy rain event, it can't keep up” and the road floods, creating a safety hazard. Esterholt said families live at the nearby RV park and a school bus picks up children near the same spot. “This really is for public safety,” he said.

Why it matters: The project aims to address repeated closures and safety risks when stormwater overwhelms an existing vault and pools onto the roadway. Commissioners pressed staff about environmental protections, archaeological review, erosion controls and timing to minimize impacts to adjacent…