HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3217Resolution 3217
A Resolution Adopting an Updated Public Participation Plan for the Periodic
Update to the Shoreline Master Program
Whereas the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires local governments to periodically review
and update Shoreline Master Programs pursuant to Chapter 90.58 RCW and applicable provisions
of Chapter 173-26 WAC;
Whereas the City of Anacortes is required to conduct a periodic review and update of its Shoreline
Master Program to ensure consistency with state law, administrative rules, and local
circumstances;
Whereas Chapter 36.70A RCW and Chapter 173 -26 WAC require local governments to establish
and broadly disseminate a public participation plan identifying procedures for early and
continuous public participation in shoreline planning processes;
Whereas the Anacortes Municipal Code (AMC) Chapter 19.16 Legislative Actions establishes a
program for early and continuous public participation in land use legislation consistent with 36.70A
RCW;
Whereas the City established Public Participation Plan for the Shoreline Master Program periodic
update in 2019 and desires to update and replace that Plan;
Whereas the Anacortes Planning Commission held a public hearing on, and recommended
approval of, the proposed Public Participation Plan with changes, on May 12, 2026;
Now, therefore, the City Council does resolve as follows:
Section 1. The City Council adopts the Public Participation Plan attached hereto as Attachment A
for the periodic update of the Anacortes Shoreline Master Program.
Section 2. The Public Participation Plan is intended to serve as a fluid document and may be
updated as needed during the Shoreline Master Program periodic update process to
improve public outreach and participation, address scheduling or procedural needs,
and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Section 3. The Director of Planning, Community & Economic Development is authorized to
implement the Public Participation Plan and to make minor administrative
modifications as necessary.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Anacortes this 26th day of May 2026.
CITY OF ANACORTES:
________________________________
Ryan Walters, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Steven D. Hoglund, City Clerk-Treasurer
Approved as to Form:
________________________________
Darcy Swetnam, City Attorney
Darcy Swetnam (May 27, 2026 10:09:27 PDT)
Darcy Swetnam
Steven D. Hoglund (Jun 1, 2026 09:17:20 PDT)
Steven D. Hoglund
Resolution 3217 – Attachment A Page 1 of 5
Anacortes Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review -
Updated Public Participation Plan
Updated: May 26, 2026
Background Note: The City began its most recent SMP Periodic Review process in 2019 with publication
of a Public Participation Plan (PPP). Over the next several years, the City followed the PPP, including
public outreach, draft amendments, public comment periods, and a joint Planning
Commission/Department of Ecology public hearing. The Department of Ecology issued an initial
determination of consistency in October 2021, and in April, 2022, the Planning Commission
recommended approval of the proposed SMP updates to the City Council. Upon review of the Planning
Commission's recommendation, the Council requested additional amendments, and a revised draft SMP
was published for public review and comment. However, Council adoption of the updates was
subsequently delayed pending the outcome of appeals of amendments to the City’s critical area
regulations. The City is now reinitiating the SMP update effort, including a revised Public Participation
Plan to guide the remainder of the process through adoption.
Introduction
Periodic Update
The City of Anacortes is undertaking a periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), as
required by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA), RCW 90.58.080(4). The SMA
requires each SMP be reviewed and revised, if needed, on ten-year schedule established by the
Legislature. In accordance with the SMA, the purpose and scope of the periodic review and update is:
• To assure that the SMP complies with applicable state laws and guidelines in effect at the time
of the review; and
• To assure consistency of the SMP with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, development regulations,
and other City plans and regulations; and
• To consider amendments needed to reflect changed local circumstances, new information and
improved data.
Public Participation Plan
This Public Participation Plan is intended to ensure that everyone having an interest in the SMP is
provided with a full opportunity for involvement in the periodic update process. The PPP describes:
• How the City of Anacortes will encourage early and continuous public participation throughout
the process of reviewing the SMP.
• The steps that the City will take to provide opportunities for public engagement and public
comment.
• City staff contact information and web addresses where additional information can be accessed.
This PPP is in addition to any other minimum requirements for public participation required by
Anacortes Municipal Code (AMC) 19.16.030. It is a working document and may be adjusted as needed.
Resolution 3217 – Attachment A Page 2 of 5
1.0 Public Participation Goals
• To provide the public with timely information, an understanding of the process, and
opportunities to review and comment on the SMP review and potential amendments, and to
have these comments forwarded to decision makers.
• Actively solicit information from citizens, property owners and stakeholders about their
concerns, questions and priorities for the review process.
• Encourage the public to review and comment on the update throughout the process.
• Provide forums for formal public input at milestones prior to decision making by local officials.
• Consult and consider recommendations from neighboring jurisdictions, federal and state
agencies, and Native American tribes.
2.0 Public Engagement Opportunities
Anacortes is committed to providing multiple opportunities for the public to engage in the Update
throughout the process. The City will take advantage of various modes of communication to inform the
public and encourage their participation. Opportunities will include:
2.1 Website
The City of Anacortes’s website will house a SMP Periodic Review webpage
(www.anacorteswa.gov/smpupdate) where interested citizens and community members may visit for
status updates, draft documents, official notices, minutes, frequently asked questions, and other project
information. This webpage will be the primary repository of all information related to the Update
process. An e-mail link for questions or comments will be provided.
2.2 Open House(s)
The City held community open houses on October 30, 2019 (in person) and March of 2020 (virtual). The
City will hold a third open house on June 9, 2026, from 4-6 PM at City Hall to re-introduce the SMP
periodic update process.
2.3 E-notice mailing list
An e-notice mailing list of interested persons and organizations has been established. Those on the e-
notice list will receive notices regarding Periodic Review progress. Individuals interested in being on the
mailing list may navigate to the City’s SMP Update webpage and click on “sign up for Notifications”, then
select “Land Use Planning” under “NotifyMe”, or click here to sign up.
Email contact information provided during earlier phases of the SMP periodic update will be included in
the e-notice list. Anyone who has signed up for Planning Commission e-notices will also receive the SMP
update e-notices.
2.4 Comments
Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the City by letter or email using the contact
info below. All comments received will be compiled, reviewed by staff, and provided to the Planning
Commission and City Council for consideration. Staff will prepare a comment-response matrix
identifying major issues raised, staff analysis, and any resulting revisions to the amendments.
Resolution 3217 – Attachment A Page 3 of 5
Documents are available for review at the City’s Planning, Community, and Economic Development
Department, and copies can be provided at the established copying cost.
To submit comments or for project information, please contact:
Libby Grage
Planning Manager
Planning, Community & Economic
LibbyB@anacorteswa.gov
City of Anacortes
P.O. Box 547
2.5 Planning Commission (PC)
The Planning Commission will be the primary forum for detailed review and recommendations to the
City Council. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and provide verbal comments to the City
during the PC deliberations, as described in Section 4, Public Comment Periods & Public Hearings,
below. Official notices of Planning Commission meetings will be published as established in City policy.
2.6 News media
The local news media will be kept up to date on the update process and receive copies of all official
notices.
3.0 Interested Parties and Tribal Engagement
3.1 The City will engage the following stakeholders:
Members of the Public
Shoreline property owners
Interested groups and individuals
City Officials
City Council
Planning Commission
City Departments and Services
Public Works
Parks and Recreation
Other Local Government
Skagit County
Port of Anacortes
Port of Skagit
Town of La Conner
City of Mount Vernon
City of Burlington
State Government
Department of Ecology
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington State Parks
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Transportation
Federal Government
US Army Corps of Engineers
3.2 Tribal Government Engagement
The City will provide early notice of the SMP Periodic Update to affected Tribal governments and invite
government-to-government consultation throughout the process.
4.0 Public Comment Periods and Public Hearings
The City will hold a formal written public comment period on the draft updated SMP. The Planning
Commission will conduct at least one public hearing to consider public comments and testimony prior to
making a recommendation to City Council.
Resolution 3217 – Attachment A Page 4 of 5
The City Council will consider and take action on the PC’s recommendation. The Council may adopt the
recommended amendments without additional process if the final version is substantially similar to
what the public has already reviewed, otherwise, the council will provide additional public comment
opportunity on proposed changes.
Public notice of future written comment periods and public hearing(s) will be provided in accordance
with City and Ecology requirements, including, but not limited to:
• Publication in the Anacortes American
• Publication on the City’s SMP Update webpage
• Sending notice to the SMP update email list
• Social media postings
• Announcements at city council meetings
The City will coordinate with Department of Ecology (Ecology) on procedural requirements for the
periodic update. After local adoption, the City will submit the revised SMP to Ecology for state review.
Ecology review may include an additional state public comment period and hearing(s), as determined by
Ecology. The revised SMP will become effective 14 days from the date Ecology provides written notice of
final action to the city.
5.0 Timeline
The following is a general timeline, including steps already completed and those upcoming. This timeline
is subject to change. A detailed timeline will be posted on the SMP Periodic Review website and
updated as needed.
Updated Timeline (2026)
March – April 2026
process (3/10/26 & 4/14/26)
May – June 2026
Community Open House (6/9/26) to reintroduce the SMP Periodic
July - August 2026
Planning Commission discussion of SMP amendments
September – October 2026
period)
November – December 2026
Transmittal to Ecology for final review/approval
Work Already Completed (2019 - 2022)
September 2019 Launched webpage on City website to advertise SMP overview
Resolution 3217 – Attachment A Page 5 of 5
Posted the Draft SMP Gap Analysis on the City’s website. The Gap
Analysis identified recommended updates to the SMP based upon
October 2019 SMP Open House – held 10/30/19
December 2019 Review SMP regulations and drafted proposed amendments
February 2020 Planning Commission joint Public Hearing with Ecology
Public comment period on draft revisions
March 2020 Submit proposed SMP code, Gap Analysis to Ecology for Initial
Determination of Consistency
2nd Open House held virtually (due to COVID restrictions)
December 2020 Planning Commission Joint Public Hearing with Ecology (12/9/20)
Public comment period on draft revisions (11/18/20 – 12/18/20)
Environmental review (SEPA)
April 2021 Submitted proposed SMP code, Gap Analysis to Ecology for Initial
Determination of Consistency
October 2021 Receive Initial Determination from Ecology (10/1/21)
February – March 2022 Make SMP changes per Ecology review
2nd Draft published for review and comment
April 2022 Planning Commission recommendation to City Council (4/13/22)
May 2022 City Council review and discussion (5/16/22, 5/23/22)
September – October 2022 City Council discussion (9/12/22)
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