The R1 Zone is not a typical urban development area and should not be reduced to a simple calculation of how many houses can fit on each lot.
Its streams, wetlands, habitat, drainage systems and trees help buffer, protect, and beautify the City. Its value has been recognized since Anacortes’ first Growth Management Act Comprehensive Plan in 1993.
Before approving more development in R1, the City should determine how much the R1 landscape can absorb without losing the ecological functions that make it valuable.
This is not opposition to all R1 development. It is a responsible and practical request to establish the environmental and infrastructure baseline first, then decide what development can proceed with no net loss of critical-area function and value.
R1 must be evaluated not only for housing capacity, but also for its ecological functions that make the City more climate resilient, livable and better prepared for future growth.
R1 development applications need early, meaningful and recurring public comment. Neighborhood meetings should be required, and residents should have prompt access to the information behind City decisions.
Although this letter focuses on the R1 Zone, permit streamlining affects all Anacortes neighborhoods. Public engagement and transparency are essential to responsible housing choices and protection of the ecological systems that serve the whole community.
Let the city know you want to have a voice in Anacortes development.
Janet Peargin
Anacortes
