Community Voices

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, affecting every neighborhood in Anacortes and putting added pressure on the about 300-acre R1 Low Density Residential Zone between the city and forestlands. Residents should comment now and attend the Sept. 15 hearing to speak up for transparency and neighborhood input in Anacortes’ development decisions. The R1 Zone is not…

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Editor Opinion: Is Growth Really Inevitable?

Have you ever wondered why people often say growth is inevitable? One of our council members mentioned we’ve been growing at a slow 1% annually and that if a town stops growing, it dies. Perhaps this core belief needs to be challenged?  What do you think? Since I don’t know much about the economic realities of this issue, I asked AI. “1% annual growth or the town will die” is not supported by research on…

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Why I Believe Internal-Combustion Motorcycles Should be Banned in the ACFL

I believe internal‑combustion motorcycles should no longer be allowed in the ACFL because they pose safety risks, create harmful noise levels for wildlife and visitors, and continue to cause significant trail damage even during the limited months they’re permitted. The Forest Plan did not provide best‑available science to justify their use, nor were noise or wildlife experts consulted during public review. Enforcement remains difficult and under‑resourced, and e‑bikes offer a low‑impact alternative for riders. I’m…

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ACFL Forest Plan Security and Efficiency Improvements

The updated ACFL Forest Plan is an improvement, but it should include cost‑saving and efficiency strategies as follows: Recommend installing permanent security cameras at key parking lots and trailheads, plus expanding portable trail‑camera use. A five‑year priority list with rough cost estimates would help guide investment in security infrastructure. Permanent cameras would reduce theft, vandalism, and misuse while providing data on park use to support smarter enforcement. Explore non‑taxpayer funding options, including an ACFL trail‑pass…

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Strengthening ACFL Wildfire Defense

Climate change and ongoing drought make wildfires in the ACFL and across Fidalgo Island increasingly likely, and limited local firefighting resources mean outside help may not arrive quickly. Because the Anacortes Fire Department is responsible for wildland fire management in the ACFL, it should lead prevention efforts, hazard‑shutdown decisions, and evacuation planning, with the Forest Plan simply referencing this role and linking to AFD’s Wildland Fire Management Plan. Stronger partnerships with regional agencies could create…

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Strengthening the SMP: A Call for a Complete Climate and Science-Based Update

Smart Growth Anacortes supports the City’s Updated Gap Analysis as a useful starting point for the Shoreline Master Program update, but we believe it falls short of fully addressing the environmental realities Anacortes faces. Climate change, extreme weather, sea level rise, and shifting ecological conditions must be analyzed as interconnected risks—not simply listed as future concerns. The City has already commissioned strong scientific and compliance tools through the FACET Report, the Best Available Science review,…

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Anacortes Sewer Plan: The Hidden Costs of Growth

Anacortes residents rely on stable, affordable utility rates, and the city has historically emphasized two principles: keeping costs manageable for households and ensuring that new development pays for the infrastructure it requires. Recent planning decisions, however, indicate a shift away from these long‑standing practices. Major infrastructure expansions—particularly those tied to accommodating substantial new growth—could lead to significantly higher utility rates. Current projections show that average monthly utility bills, now roughly $200, could rise toward $400…

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Protecting Public Participation in the Title 19 Permit Streamlining Amendments

Smart Growth Anacortes urges the Planning Commission to strengthen the proposed Title 19 Permit Streamlining Amendments to ensure early, meaningful public involvement and avoid unintended consequences in sensitive neighborhoods such as the R1 Zone. While we support efforts to improve efficiency, the current draft shifts too many permits to administrative review, reduces early engagement, and creates a “lock‑in” effect by limiting later review of site plans. We recommend requiring pre‑application neighborhood meetings, restoring pre‑decision public…

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Anacortes Comprehensive Plan: Will Housing Become Even Less Affordable?

Anacortes’ new Comprehensive Plan outlines a future that could bring thousands of new housing units and significant changes to long‑standing development practices. Some provisions appear to shift major infrastructure costs—such as utility upgrades required by new construction—from developer to taxpayer. Adding roughly 3,000 market‑rate units in an already expensive housing market does not guarantee affordability for working residents or seniors. At the same time, the city’s sewage treatment plant is reportedly nearing capacity, and expanding…

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Public Participation in Growth Decisions: Why Community Input Matters

Anacortes was built on public participation — the Growth Management Act guaranteed our voice in big decisions. Now the city seems to be phasing that voice out. We’re required to absorb 7,000 new residents by 2040. Fine — but that means real planning, real cost transparency, and real public input on who pays for growth. Instead, the city is eliminating tools like conditional use permits, making major zoning changes with minimal outreach, and fast‑tracking development…

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