Planning Commission unanimously votes to add RCW 35A reference to rules of procedure

The Anacortes Planning Commission voted on March 26 to add a reference to RCW 35A to its rules of procedure.

Commissioner McCombs moved to add RCW 35A to the commission’s procedures; the motion was seconded (second not identified by name in the record) and carried on a roll call vote. The recorded yes votes were Commissioner Mills, Commissioner McCombs, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Stoneman, Commissioner Jarecki and Commissioner Currier. The motion passed and the commission moved on to the next agenda item.

Commissioners noted they had consulted with the city attorney, who told the commission that inclusion of RCW 35A in the rules would be permissible but was not strictly required. The discussion on the floor was brief and procedural; no ordinance, code amendment or other regulatory change accompanied the action.

What was decided and why it matters

The commission’s action adds an explicit citation to RCW 35A in the planning commission’s bylaws or procedures, clarifying the statutory framework under which the commission operates. Commissioners said the change was suggested after the mayor referenced RCW 35A in his state‑of‑the‑city remarks and after public inquiries. The city attorney had advised that inclusion would be acceptable either way, and the commission opted to add the reference for clarity.

Vote and record

Motion: include RCW 35A in Planning Commission rules of procedure (mover: Commissioner McCombs; second: not specified in transcript). Recorded vote: Mills — Yes; McCombs — Yes; Martin — Yes; Stoneman — Yes; Jarecki — Yes; Currier — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Next steps

The commission proceeded to the planning department update after the vote. Staff did not announce any immediate text changes to be published in the bylaws packet at the meeting; staff will carry out the clerical update needed to include the citation.