Anacortes is entering a period of rapid change. Major infrastructure decisions, accelerated growth proposals and permitting practices, City financial strains and lack of enforcement and long‑standing gaps in environmental compliance are converging at the same time — and the choices made now will shape the city for decades. Smart Growth Anacortes works to ensure these decisions protect residents, safeguard our environment, and keep long‑term costs under control.
1. Permit Streamlining: Reduced Public Oversight and Long‑Term Risks
The City is considering major changes to its permitting system that would shift many land‑use decisions from public processes to administrative approvals. These “permit streamlining” amendments would reduce early public involvement, limit neighborhood notification, and lock in site‑plan decisions before the public has a chance to review final project details.
Our Concern: Streamlining may speed up permits, but it also removes critical public‑review steps, reduces transparency, and increases the risk of unintended consequences — especially in sensitive areas like the R1 Zone. Once a Site Plan is approved, later permits cannot revisit design, environmental impacts, or mitigation needs, even if new information emerges.
Our Position: Before adopting streamlining, the City must restore early public involvement, require neighborhood meetings for Type 2 and R1 Zone projects, and ensure offsite impacts (traffic, stormwater, noise, lighting) are evaluated throughout the process. Residents deserve a meaningful voice in shaping development — not a system where decisions are made before the public is informed.
Now is the time to speak up. The City has not yet adopted these changes. Public comments and objections can still influence the final outcome from August 19 – September 15, 2026. A public hearing is scheduled before the Planning Commission on September 15, 2026.
2. A $95 Million Sewer System Upgrade
The City is preparing for a wastewater treatment overhaul estimated at $95 million — one of the largest infrastructure expenses in Anacortes history. Without careful planning, this project could lead to significant increases in utility rates for residents.
Our concern: Growth is a major driver of increased wastewater demand. Yet current planning does not clearly identify how much of the cost will be borne by new development versus existing ratepayers.
Our position: Residents should not subsidize growth. Development must pay its fair share of the infrastructure it requires.
3. Growth‑Driven Infrastructure Costs
New development proposals — including large increases in housing capacity — will require expanded roads, utilities, stormwater systems, shoreline protections, and emergency services. These costs can be substantial, and without strong accountability, they often fall on residents.
Our concern: Anacortes risks approving growth without fully understanding the long‑term financial impacts or establishing mechanisms to ensure developers cover those costs.
Our position: We need to get ahead of upcoming proposals. Infrastructure planning must be transparent, data‑driven, and financially responsible.
4. City Financial Strain and Recent Staff Layoffs
Anacortes is currently experiencing significant financial pressure, resulting in recent staff layoffs and reductions in service capacity. This is a critical warning sign: the City is struggling to maintain existing operations, even before considering major new growth or infrastructure expansions.
Our concern: When a city is financially strained, rapid growth can worsen the problem — requiring more staff, more infrastructure, and more services at a time when the City is already cutting back.
Our position: Before expanding growth capacity or approving major development proposals, the City must stabilize its finances and ensure it can meet existing obligations. Growth should not outpace the City’s ability to manage it.
5. Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Compliance Failures
Independent analysis (FACET/DCG Watershed) shows that Anacortes is not meeting core SMP requirements, including:
Mitigation sequencing
Critical areas review
Vegetation conservation standards
Bonding
Five‑year monitoring
As‑built verification
These failures mean the City cannot demonstrate no net loss of shoreline ecological functions, as required by state law.
Our concern: Weak compliance puts sensitive habitats at risk and exposes the City to legal and financial liabilities.
Our position: The City must adopt the FACET recommendations, restore monitoring provisions, and ensure shoreline development follows the law.
6. Environmental Baseline, Monitoring, and Enforcement
For years, Anacortes has lacked a functioning system to:
establish environmental baselines
monitor development impacts
enforce permit conditions
require corrective action when impacts occur
These responsibilities fall on developers — not the City’s general fund — yet they have not been consistently required or implemented.
Our concern: Without monitoring, the City cannot know whether development is harming wetlands, shorelines, or critical habitats.
Our position: Monitoring and enforcement must be reinstated, funded through fees and performance bonds, and applied consistently.
7. Public Participation and Transparency
Many of the City’s most consequential decisions — zoning changes, infrastructure planning, shoreline permits — occur with limited public visibility or unclear documentation.
Our concern: Residents often learn about major proposals only after decisions are nearly made.
Our position: Anacortes needs modern, accessible, transparent public engagement systems so residents can participate meaningfully in shaping the city’s future.
Why This Matters
If we do not address these issues now, residents could face higher costs, reduced quality of life, and development that does not reflect community values. Your voice ensures that decisions are grounded in community needs — not development pressure.
Stay Informed. Stay Involved. Shape Anacortes’ Future.
Smart Growth Anacortes will continue monitoring these issues, providing clear public information, and advocating for responsible, resident‑centered planning.
Visit our homepage to learn more or get involved.
