Anacortes planning staff briefed the Planning Commission on a docketed request and subsequent state law changes affecting childcare facilities. Planning Manager Libby Grage summarized the legislative change: “s b 55 0 9...requires that we allow childcare facilities to be an outright permitted use in all zones except industrial, where it has to at least be a conditional use.” She said the city must also exclude high-hazard areas from industrial allowances and that the adoption deadline for the local code change is 2027.

Commissioners broadly agreed childcare access is important but split on whether industrial zones should allow childcare outright or only by conditional use. Commissioner Ryan said childcare for workers in industrial areas is necessary and flagged safety concerns including noise and proximity to hazards: “they need accessibility...safety for the children...overhead hazards and decibel ratings...would be my largest concern.” Commissioner Mills asked whether design standards and licensing requirements—such as fencing and pickup/drop-off layouts—would mitigate those concerns; staff replied the state licensing rules already include detailed safety measures (for example, fencing requirements) and that staff would research and present specific use standards and licensing cross-references.

Several commissioners favored conditional use in industrial zones as a precaution. Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Dretske explicitly supported conditional-use review to ensure site-specific safeguards: Martin said she would “speak up in favor of conditional use for this one just because...we're talking about children and...it's just a precaution.” Others, including Commissioners Currier and an unnamed commissioner, supported permitting childcare outright in industrial zones with appropriate development standards to address safety.

Grage said staff will return with details on the licensing requirements, any existing city use standards that apply to childcare, and recommendations for where to allow outright use versus conditional use. She also noted the city may craft standards addressing separation from heavy transport, pickup/drop-off design, and other site-specific protections; she committed to bringing back “what the specific use standards are for child care facilities in different zones” and to cross-reference state licensing.

No vote or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will include recommended code language and proposed conditions in an upcoming packet for further Planning Commission review.