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Oak Harbor Planning Commission elects Ryan Bradley chair, Jeff Ward vice chair; new community development director introduces 2026 work program
Summary
Commissioners elected Ryan Bradley as chair and Jeff Ward as vice chair and heard Stacy Pratchener introduce the Community Development Department's 2026 work program, staffing updates and priorities including filling key positions and initiating the comprehensive plan update.
The City of Oak Harbor Planning Commission on Feb. 10 elected Ryan Bradley as chair and Jeff Ward as vice chair for 2026, and heard an introductory presentation from new Community Development Director Stacy Pratchener.
Ryan Bradley volunteered to serve as interim chair at the meeting start and was later nominated and confirmed by voice vote. Jeff Ward nominated himself for vice chair and was likewise confirmed. The commissioners ran through a roll call that identified in-person and remote members.
Stacy Pratchener, who said she began as community development director in 2025, outlined the department's 2026 work program and told the commission the department has been operating at roughly a 40% staff shortfall. "As of today, we have filled the development services director position and also the associate planner position," Pratchener said, and staff are continuing to recruit for the administrative assistant and code enforcement officer positions. She asked commissioners to reserve detailed questions about the work program until the end of her presentation but welcomed follow-up by email.
Commissioners commended the staffing updates; one member welcomed the code-enforcement position moving toward full-time to allow more proactive enforcement. The commission also discussed scheduling: staff proposed shifting the April meeting to coordinate a joint workshop with City Council so commissioners and councilmembers can review EIS alternatives together.
The chair and vice-chair elections and the staffing briefing set the commission's leadership and staff priorities as the comprehensive-plan update and associated EIS proceed in the coming months.
