Anacortes planning panel recommends city council approval for Port’s West Basin redevelopment framework and shoreline permit

Anacortes Planning Commission recommended Dec. 10 that the City Council approve the Port of Anacortes’ West Basin redevelopment framework development plan and a related shoreline substantial development permit, subject to conditions in the staff report. The recommendation passed by roll call vote with all voting commissioners in favor.

Grace Pollard, the city’s senior planner, told the commission the hearing is an open-record, pre-decision forum for two Type 4 applications: the framework development plan and a shoreline permit. Pollard said the shoreline review focuses on uses such as road work, utilities, parking facilities, fill and shore-related recreation and public access; the permit does not approve specific buildings but does allow grading of building pads for later development. “The elements of the Shoreline Master Program that were included in the staff report addressed the requirement of no net loss of ecological functions and values,” she said.

John Demos, executive director of…