Anacortes planning commission approves Depot Plaza shoreline permit to expand farmers market plaza

The Anacortes Planning Commission voted Nov. 12 to approve a shoreline substantial development permit (SDP-2025-0004) allowing roughly a 10,000-square-foot expansion of the Depot Plaza at Jim Rich Civic Park to support the Anacortes Farmers Market and other community events.

Anna Dewey, the city ssociate planner, told the commission the project proposes a new concrete plaza, a new asphalt entrance, and paving of the existing gravel approach off Market Street. Dewey said all construction will occur above the ordinary high-water mark, no in-water work is proposed, and the use qualifies as a permitted "water enjoyment" recreational use under the City of Anacortes Shoreline Master Program. "This project is valued under a million dollars," Dewey said, which makes the application a Type 3 review decided by the planning commission.

The staff report, incorporated into the public record, recommends approval subject to eight conditions that address pedestrian connectivity, landscaping, protection of the Madrona Grove, clearing and grading limits, archaeological and historic resources, compliance with shoreline master plan regulations, permit time limits, and related scope and compliance requirements. Dewey said the project is not anticipated to result in any net loss of shoreline ecological function and that the proposal is consistent with the Shoreline Management Act and the City of Anacortes Shoreline Master Program.

Commissioners asked how the market nd vendors would operate if the plaza is expanded. John Lunsford, representing Parks and Recreation and the market, said the market plans to use the new plaza and that it will include utilities for vendors. "This plaza will have utilities, so water and electrical, and allow them to have just another zone of use for their Saturday markets and community events," Lunsford said. He added that vendors who currently park on areas that could become plaza space would likely park on Market Street or other nearby streets as overflow; the Farmers Market could also seek a permit to keep a street closed for market use.

Commissioners also raised questions about a neighborhood meeting and comments from OARS (Organization for Anacortes Recreational & Ramp Support). Dewey said two people attended the neighborhood meeting but they were there expecting to discuss a different project and left after clarification. Regarding OARS, staff said the group has operated under a "handshake" agreement for years and that staff will work to formalize an arrangement; engineering review estimates an approximately 8-inch elevation increase in the zone of concern that staff believes will accommodate OARS' operations.

Funding for the work, Lunsford said, comes from an economic development grant from Skagit County, and staff have an agreement to complete construction by May 2026.

Commissioner Mills moved to approve SDP-2025-0004 "subject to the eight recommended conditions of approval stated in the November 6 staff report." The motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote: Commissioners Mills, Ryan, Martin, Stoneman and Juratsky voted yes; the chair announced the motion passes.

The permit approval is limited to the scope described in the staff report. The staff report and exhibit materials (including five public comments in Exhibit G) remain part of the project record. The commission thanked Parks and Recreation staff and planning staff before moving to other business.