The Anacortes Planning Commission continued its public hearing on the 2025–2045 comprehensive plan and advised the public that the hearing will remain open through the commission’s next meeting on Sept. 24. Planning staff said a State Environmental Policy Act determination of nonsignificance (SEPA DNS) for the periodic comprehensive plan and development-regulation amendments was issued by the city on Sept. 10, and the SEPA comment period closes Sept. 24. Libby Grage, planning manager, told commissioners the full package of proposed development-regulation amendments was posted to planacortes.org on Sept. 12 and that written comment on the development regulations will be accepted through 3 p.m. on Oct. 22, the date scheduled for a separate public hearing on the development regulations.

The continuation followed a public comment period in which Commissioner Ryan read a prepared statement he had provided to the commission summarizing resident feedback collected during the comprehensive-plan outreach. Ryan said the planning department had received “a number of emails from residents regarding the 2025 to 2045 comprehensive plan under the Growth Management Act” and that staff had “reviewed and considered” those messages. He told listeners the MJB waterfront development and accessory dwelling units had generated substantial input. “This is privately owned land. And while the city can enforce zoning, building codes, and environmental standards, we have limited control over the amenities and specific design elements a private developer chooses to pursue,” Ryan said. Grage and other staff reiterated that the city can influence design and regulatory standards but cannot mandate market outcomes or private developer amenities.

Why it matters: The commission’s next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 24, is expected to include continued public testimony and the planned close of the comprehensive-plan hearing. The development-regulation amendments will remain open for written comment through Oct. 22 and are scheduled for a hearing that evening at 6 p.m. Planning staff said they will publish a consolidated document summarizing comments received and staff responses in the next commission packet.

What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to return with the consolidated comment packet at the next meeting, and staff noted that additional hearings on draft development regulations (including Division 5 street and public-right-of-way standards) will follow in October. The city posted the draft amendments and supporting materials at planacortes.org and said the SEPA comment deadline is Sept. 24.