The Anacortes City Council on Dec. 15 adopted the city's 2025 comprehensive plan and companion development-regulation amendments intended to guide growth and implementation over the next 20 years.

John Coleman, director of planning, community and economic development, told the council the update completes a 2.5-year process to align local policy with recent legislative changes on housing, accessory dwelling units and climate. "We are finally 2 and a half years later with our comprehensive plan, draft ready and poised to be adopted," Coleman said.

Coleman and other staff told the council the plan contains both required elements from state law and discretionary goals and policies that guide future development regulations and zoning. "Most of the goals and policies are trying to create the future of Anacortes the way the public has informed us and the way this council wants to see it," Coleman said.

Councilmembers thanked planning staff and the planning commission for outreach and review. Councilmember Walters moved to adopt Ordinance 5013 (the comprehensive plan) and Ordinance 5014 (development regulation amendments). Both measures passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

Councilmembers noted the regulations will be implemented through subsequent code changes and that the city can amend the plan or regulations in the future as issues arise. Council discussion included ensuring engineering corrections (one errant code reference noted) and developing affordable, implementable street-design strategies.

The ordinances take effect as provided in the adopted text; staff said the updated plans and regulations will be posted for public review.