HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-14 City Council Minutes Approved OS�:Y(0et,i
City Council Minutes—May 14, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council study session of
May 14, 2012 to order. City Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill
Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer were present.
Envision Skagit 2060 Presentation
Planning Director Ryan Larsen introduced Peggy Flynn and Tim Rosenhan from the Envision Skagit 2060
Citizen Committee. Ms. Flynn and Mr. Rosenhan presented a slide show summarizing the committee's
work and recommendations. The Envision Skagit 2060 project aims to develop and implement a broadly-
supported, 50-year plan to protect the Skagit and Samish River watersheds' many environmental values,
maintain the highly productive natural resource industries, and accommodate population growth in livable,
walkable, and economically vibrant communities. The project is a partnership among Skagit County and
numerous local and regional organizations, including conservation groups, tribes, local farmers and
foresters, cities, economic development interests and universities.
Ms. Flynn and Mr. Rosenhan reported that in the face of an estimated population increase of 100,000 by
2060 Skagit County residents want to preserve local agriculture and food production, access to outdoor
recreation, interconnected open spaces, and healthy functioning ecosystems. They said the Citizen's
Committee recommends steering future growth into the existing cities to protect farmland and natural
systems and encourages infill and creative mixed use development to preserve small town feeling and
neighborhoods. Ms. Flynn and Mr. Rosenhan discussed the tax base required to support such growth and
said the Citizen Committee has recommended designating 1600 acres of new industrial land at Bayview
Ridge with tax revenues shared equitably across jurisdictions. The Committee also recommended
consolidating Mount Vernon and Burlington, transferring existing development rights in agricultural and
resource lands and strengthening open space networks. Finally the group encouraged a collaborative
Skagit Alliance among entities in the region to plan for and implement strategies to achieve a common
vision of the future. Ms. Flynn said the third phase of the Envision Skagit 2060 project, implementation, is
beginning now with the presentations such as this one. Councilmembers discussed a number of the
committee's recommendations and expressed appreciation and support for its work.
At approximately 7:50 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called a ten minute break. At approximately 8:00 p.m. the
meeting was called back to order.
2010 Development Regulation Amendments: Proposed New Title 19
Mr. Larsen introduced a discussion of proposed new Title 19, Options A and B, and asked that the
meeting focus on Chapter 19.50, particularly the development review and appeal matrix. In overview, Mr.
Larsen reminded that Option A would have a hearing examiner render final decisions on quasi-judicial
land use matters which could be appealed to City Council whereas Option B would have the Planning
Commission make recommendations to City Council who would render final decisions which could be
appealed in Superior Court. Councilmembers walked through the drafts of both Option A and Option B
and discussed administrative approvals, administrative interpretations, public notice, coordination with
DNR clearing permits and Shoreline Master Program permitting requirements, special uses vs.
conditional uses, the role of the Board of Adjustment, legislative vs. quasi-judicial decisions, zoning code
amendments, and direction on remands among other issues. At the conclusion of the discussion Mr.
Larsen advised that he would continue editing the drafts of Title 19, Options A and B, per councilmember
input at recent review sessions and then schedule a public hearing on the revised draft early in July after
which Council could choose to decide between Option A and Option B as well as provide feedback on
other aspects of the revised draft.
There being no further business, at approximately 9:10 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of May 14, 2012 adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes May 14, 2012 1