Speak up for R1 Before Sept 15 hearing
On Sept. 15, the Anacortes Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on amendments to streamline development permitting. The proposed changes will reduce public engagement,…
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Putting Residents at the Center of Anacortes' Growth Decisions
We strive to create a more transparent, collaborative partnership in which Anacortes residents—its owners and financiers—set community priorities and help our city implement them.
URGENT
Speak up now — before the City adopts a new permitting system that reduces public oversight. Anacortes is considering “permit streamlining” amendments that would shift many land‑use decisions from public review to administrative approval. These changes would reduce early public involvement, limit neighborhood notification, and lock in site‑plan decisions before residents have a chance to see the final project details.
The City has not yet adopted these changes. Public comments can still influence the outcome.
Submit written comments by September 14, 2026 to:
- Email: libbyb@anacortes.gov (Libby Grage, Planning Manager
- Mail: City of Anacortes, Planning, Community & Economic Development Department, 904 6th St Anacortes, WA 98221
Speak at Public Hearing:
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- City Hall Council Chambers
More Information: https://www.anacorteswa.gov/1547/Legislative-Planning-Updates
What to Know
KEY ELEMENTS
The Relationship Between the Comprehensive Plan and Anacortes’ Environmental and Infrastructure Plans
Smart Growth Anacortes is a community resource focused on helping residents better understand how planning decisions shape the future of our city.
In December 2025, the City adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan. This plan guides housing, infrastructure, and long term growth. Currently, the city is updating their critical-areas code and holding meetings to determine the laws that protect environmentally sensitive areas. By end of year they plan to roll this into the Shoreline Master Program review. These planning reviews are necessary to be in compliance with Washington State’s 2026 amended Growth Management Act (GMA) which made vast changes that influence local planning.
The Comprehensive Plan sets the long‑term policy for how Anacortes will grow — where new housing will go, how neighborhoods will change, and what kinds of development the city will allow. This is important – the plan does not evaluate infrastructure capacity or impacts on current residents. Growth only works if the infrastructure underneath it can support that growth. That’s our Sewer, Stormwater, Transportation, etc.
Because these decisions impact daily life in real ways, this site brings together key information, documents, and updates in one place so it is easier to follow what is happening.
Here, you can:
- Learn about local planning and how it affects you
- View Community Feedback & Summaries and Join the Conversation
- Read submitted materials and updates
- Follow the appeals process
- Stay informed as decisions move forward
We believe informed communities lead to better outcomes. This site is here to help you understand the process and stay connected.
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