Anacortes consultants present draft climate element, flag sea-level rise, heat and wildfire as top risks; public input scheduled

Consultants working with the City of Anacortes presented a draft climate element to residents at an open‑house presentation in March, outlining local risks, a greenhouse‑gas inventory and a schedule for Planning Commission and public hearings. Makers Architecture and Urban Design consultant Katie Saunders, working with Parametrix and city staff, led the presentation.

The presentation summarized why the city is preparing the element: a 2023 state law requiring communities to plan for climate change through their comprehensive plans (the law was referenced in the meeting as “HB 1181”), and the city’s effort to integrate climate goals and policies across the comprehensive plan. “My firm, Makers, we’re working with the city of Anacortes in partnership with Parametrix, to put together the first climate element,” Saunders said.

A vulnerability analysis prepared for the city identified sea‑level rise and coastal flooding, increasing summer heat, and wildfire (including smoke exposure) as the highest local risks. The consultants described other climate impacts as moderate or emerging, including changes in precipitation that could increase storm flooding, drought stress,…