City of Anacortes - Planning Commission Meeting (3/10/26)

The City of Anacortes Planning Commission convened on March 10, 2026, primarily to review and approve minutes from previous meetings and to receive a comprehensive overview and update on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The SMP presentation detailed the program's history, regulatory framework, shoreline environment designations, permit processes, and the city's efforts to update the SMP in compliance with state law. The update process, initiated in 2019 but delayed due to appeals and the comprehensive plan update, aims to integrate shoreline regulations into the city's development code and shoreline policies into the comprehensive plan. The commission discussed procedural aspects, environmental protections, and public access requirements related to shoreline development. Staff also noted potential for increased meeting frequency to address ongoing SMP updates and minor code fixes. No new projects were pending council review at this time, and the mayor was in the process of appointing a new planning commissioner.