Planning director presents 2025 development regulation amendments; council to deliberate in November

John Coleman, director of planning, community and economic development, presented the Planning Commissions recommendation and materials for the 2025 periodic update of development regulations.

"So my name is John Coleman. I'm the director of planning, community, and economic development," Coleman said, and then walked council through the packet exhibits and attachments that accompany the Planning Commission recommendation. He described Attachment A as the 111-page code amendment document released in September and Attachment B as a six-page planning commission list of recommended modifications since that initial release. Coleman said the package includes a zoning map update to match the future land use map.

Coleman noted the major areas of change: implementing the housing action plan (including state statutory changes such as provisions for accessory dwelling units), state-mandated GMA updates, and completion of previously unfinished 2021 comp plan items. He outlined the procedural schedule: councils first deliberation opportunity is Nov. 10, with a second read Nov. 24 and a statutory completion deadline by the end of 2025. The critical areas regulations update will follow in 2026 under a separate statutory timeline.

Public comment on the item included a call from resident Dennis Clark to reconsider the Planning Commission decision not to allow duplexes on smaller lots, citing a local example where a duplex improved housing options without harming neighborhood character.

Why this matters: The development regulation amendments implement state requirements and local housing objectives; changes could alter where and how middle housing and ADUs are allowed, affecting homeowners, developers and neighborhood character.

Next steps: Council scheduled deliberation on Nov. 10 and additional hearings and possible adoption later in November and December; staff invited councilmembers to raise specific questions to allow staff to prepare answers in advance.

Speakers

- John Coleman, Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development (presented). - Dennis Clark, resident (public comment urging more duplex allowances).

Authorities

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Actions

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Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Staff presented materials and schedule. Council did not vote on amendments; the meeting served as a first read and information session. - Direction: Council will deliberate starting Nov. 10 and may ask staff for targeted follow-up on specific code sections.

Clarifying details

- Attachments: Attachment A = 111-page development regulations (strike-through/underline); Attachment B = Planning Commission's 6-page recommended modifications; Attachment C = zoning map. Coleman explained Attachment B contains changes recommended since the large document's release. - Statutory deadlines: Planning staff noted the deadline to adopt the periodic update is end of 2025; critical areas regulations have a 2026 statutory deadline.

Proper names

[{"name":"Anacortes Planning Commission","type":"agency"},{"name":"planacortis.org","type":"other"}]

Community relevance

{"geographies":["City of Anacortes"],"funding_sources":[],"impact_groups":["homeowners","developers","renters"]}

Meeting context

{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":3,"duration_minutes":60,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"medium","history":[{"date":"2025-10-22","note":"Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation."}],"notes":"Council will have further deliberations and a second read in November."}

Searchable tags

["comprehensive_plan","development_regulations","ADU","duplexes","planning"]

Provenance

{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"block-1871","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Good evening, council, members of the public, mayor. Thank you. So my name is John Coleman. I'm the director of planning, community, and economic development...","tc_start":"00:31:11","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block-2530","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"So where where are we now? What's next? So we're hoping at the next city council meeting on November 10, we've put it on we'll put it on the, agenda to first talk about the comprehensive plan...","tc_start":"00:40:49","reason_code":"topicfinish"}] }