Oak Harbor staff outline EIS-linked comprehensive-plan update, confirm 3,700 housing allocation
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Summary
City staff told the Feb. 24 council workshop that the comprehensive-plan periodic update will include an environmental impact statement (EIS) and reiterated the city’s housing allocation of 3,700 units; scoping is open through March 19 and staff expect a draft EIS this summer and a preferred alternative by fall.
Oak Harbor city officials presented the scope and schedule for a combined comprehensive-plan update and environmental impact statement at the Feb. 24 council workshop, telling elected leaders the process is intended to guide the city’s land-use and zoning choices for the next 20 years.
“We're aiming to have the project completed by the end of the year,” consultant Clay White told the council, summarizing a timetable that includes current scoping this winter and spring, a draft EIS in summer and selection of a preferred alternative in the fall. White said the scoping comment period is open and will run until March 19; comments at this stage should be narrowly focused on environmental impacts to study.
The consultant and planning staff framed the EIS as an analysis of alternatives that ranges from a “no action” scenario to higher-growth options. Principal Planner Kat Kamack said the city’s share of the Oak Harbor urban growth area allocation has been confirmed at 3,700 housing units, while the city is also planning for roughly 1,200 new jobs over the 20-year horizon. “The allocations for the Oak Harbor UGA… the number that the city will take on is, I think, confirmed, the 3,700,” Kamack said.
Staff emphasized that existing zoning already provides capacity and the EIS will analyze the delta — the gap between existing capacity and the growth target — to determine whether rezones or other policy changes are needed. White described the concept of “bookend” alternatives that set the range of change the council could later adopt without reopening SEPA review for each subsequent action.
Council members pressed staff on outreach and the accessibility of scoping materials. Councilmember Stuckey suggested using social media and utility-bill inserts to broaden participation; staff said the city website contains detailed materials and sign-up options and that further engagement will be part of the draft-EIS comment period and subsequent hearings.
On policy topics, staff previewed several draft changes: overlay zones to concentrate redevelopment incentives, expanded policies for climate resiliency and open-space preservation, and new language to support accessory dwelling units and shelter types as recognized forms of housing. Staff noted that some policy language will be refined in response to public and agency comments.
The next steps staff outlined include continued scoping through mid-March, preparation of a draft EIS this summer, an open-comment period on the draft, and a fall decision on a preferred alternative to inform final plan text and implementing code changes. Staff also said they expect a joint workshop with the planning commission and council on April 28 to review mapped alternatives and potential rezonings.
What happens next: the city will summarize scoping comments, begin drafting the EIS, and return to the council with alternatives and a proposed preferred alternative later this year. The EIS must be complete before final adoption of the comprehensive-plan update and associated development-regulation changes.
