Planning commission recommends revisions to public participation plan for critical areas update

The Anacortes Planning Commission on June 9 voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt a revised public participation plan (PPP) for the periodic update of the city's critical areas regulations.

The commission asked staff to modify the PPP's wording on how public comments will be handled and reported. Commissioners agreed to replace the phrase about "any resulting revisions to the amendments" with a clearer commitment that "staff will prepare a comment response matrix identifying major issues raised, staff analysis and staff recommendations." The commission also asked staff to add explicit outreach language for "interested groups and individuals" and to include social media as a formal outreach channel.

Planning manager Libby Gra summarized the update process for the critical areas regulations, noting critical areas include wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and critical aquifer recharge areas. She said the Growth Management Act requires jurisdictions to use best available science when updating regulations and to complete the periodic update by Dec. 31, 2026. Gra described existing GIS mapping, an upcoming open house on June 30, and a consultant study that will inform proposed amendments.

Commissioners raised several procedural and outreach questions during discussion. Commissioner Dr. Martin urged including social media in the PPP, noting the city currently relies on department-level posting rather than a centralized social-media manager. Public commenter Mark Nihart (representing Smart Growth Anacortes) asked for a more interactive comment-and-response process so the public can challenge staff findings and recommended explicitly listing local nonprofits and interest groups among stakeholder contacts.

After debate, a motion to forward the PPP with the three revisions was made, seconded and approved in a roll-call vote; all seven commissioners present voted yes. The commission's recommendation will now move to the City Council for consideration.

What happens next: staff will finalize the PPP language and continue outreach, including the June 30 open house; draft ordinance amendments and supporting best-available science reports are scheduled for public review later this summer and fall ahead of the December 2026 deadline.