Planning Commission forwards 2024 annual report to Oak Harbor City Council

The Oak Harbor Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward its 2024 annual report to the City Council at its recent meeting, following a brief discussion of the commission's priorities and next steps.

Director Dave Cool told commissioners the report had been approved in draft and updated to reflect commissioner feedback; he said the packet now includes two explicit recommendations for City Council consideration: prioritizing funding for affordable housing and implementing the active transportation plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. "You approved the annual report back in January 28," Director Dave Cool said as he reviewed the updated draft with commissioners.

Commissioners said the two recommended items sit alongside longer-term comprehensive-plan work and are intended to be narrower, actionable recommendations that the council can advance now. One commissioner said the comprehensive-plan process will address larger long-term issues, and the two recommendations are "a little bit outside of that larger vision and that larger project." Commissioner Frey moved to forward the report to the council; Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission discussed logistics for providing additional input to the council if needed and agreed commissioners who cannot attend a planned joint workshop may review a recording and convey consolidated comments through staff. The commission did not alter other content of the annual report at the meeting.

The commission's action sends the 2024 Planning Commission annual report, including the two highlighted recommendations, to the City Council for their information and potential action.