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Skagit County commissioners deny appeal of Skagit Golf & Country Club turf-center permit
Summary
On June 8, 2026 the Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a closed-record appeal of permits for a proposed turf grass center at the Skagit Golf & Country Club, affirming the hearing examiner's earlier decision; Commissioner Browning recused himself from the vote because of club membership.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted June 8 to deny a closed-record appeal challenging permits for a proposed turf grass center at the Skagit Golf & Country Club in Burlington.
During opening remarks, the chair described the hearing as a closed-record appeal submitted by Dean Shaughnessy challenging the hearing examiner’s February 13, 2026 decision. County counsel explained the board’s role in a closed-record appeal is limited to reviewing the record that was before the hearing examiner, with any further remedy available by petition to Superior Court.
A commissioner said, “I am leaning towards denying the appeal,” and Commissioner Burns moved to deny BOCCA appeal 2020 and to affirm the hearing examiner’s dismissal of related appeals. Commissioner Wiesen seconded the motion. The motion passed. The board’s public record shows Commissioner Browning recused himself from the vote because of his membership in the Country Club.
Appellant’s counsel had provided a recently entered court order as an illustrative exhibit shortly before the hearing. Commissioners and counsel debated whether the late order—linked to a collateral case—should affect today’s decision. Appellant’s counsel said it was offered to illustrate procedural similarity; other participants questioned why the document arrived so shortly before the hearing and whether opposing counsel had notice.
County counsel described the sequence for administrative review: department decision, then hearing examiner review, then county commissioners on a closed record, and ultimately the Superior Court for further challenge. The board declined to reopen the record or add new evidence and affirmed the hearing examiner’s decision.
Next steps: the denial leaves the appellant the option to seek relief in Superior Court; the record and motions referenced at the hearing will form the basis of any further petition.
Quotes used in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and are attributed to the speaking commissioners and county counsel as recorded.
