Anacortes Planning Commission approves Depot Plaza shoreline permit to expand public plaza

The Anacortes Planning Commission on Nov. 12 approved a shoreline substantial development permit for the Depot Plaza expansion at Jim Rich Civic Park, agreeing to the eight conditions recommended in the Nov. 6 staff report.

Anna Dewey, the city’s associate planner, told commissioners the project would extend the existing Depot Plaza by about 10,000 square feet to accommodate a larger Anacortes Farmers Market and other community events, add utilities, pave an existing gravel approach from Market Street and restore the site’s surface. "This presentation... is a quick overview of what is in the staff report," Dewey said. She added that all construction would occur above the ordinary high water mark and that no in-water work is proposed.

Dewey said the application was received Aug. 7, followed a required neighborhood meeting and a 30-day…