City of Anacortes - Planning Commission Meeting (10/13/26)

The City of Anacortes Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 13, 2026, regarding proposed amendments to the city’s critical areas regulations in Anacortes Municipal Code Chapter 19.70. Staff said the changes would incorporate best available science, protect critical-area functions and values, and clarify review and permitting procedures for wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, and frequently flooded areas. The commission took no action on the amendments at this meeting. Written comments are due October 22; staff plans to prepare a comment-and-response matrix, and the commission is expected to resume consideration on November 10. A commissioner requested that the matrix be provided as early as possible before that meeting.

Public testimony included requests to map constraints and reassess development assumptions in the R1 zone, strengthen neighborhood participation, and consider additional amendments and unresolved environmental review concerns. Another speaker urged the commission to move the update forward to support housing and provide certainty. The commission also voted to excuse three members’ absences and unanimously approved prior meeting minutes. No procurement activity, contracts, or spending decisions were identified.