FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Notice of Upcoming Public Hearing on the 2022 Planning Docket with the Planning Commission

The Skagit County Planning Commission is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to hear testimony on applications to amend the Skagit County Comprehensive Plan, Land Use and Zoning Map, and Development Regulations. The hearing will be held in person in the Commissioners? Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon.

The Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.130(1)(a)) provides that each comprehensive land use plan and development regulations shall be subject to continuing review and evaluation and requires Skagit County to periodically accept petitions for amendments or revisions to our Comprehensive Plan policies, land use map, and development regulations.

Skagit County has received the following applications to amend the Skagit County Comprehensive Plan, Land Use and Zoning Map, and Development Regulations:

LR22-01 Small Scale Recreation and Tourism Rezone: rezone four parcels form Rural Reserve to Small Scale Recreation and Tourism zone.
C22-1 Wind Turbine Use Amendment: add wind turbines as an allowed use accessory to residential structures.
C22-2 Critical Areas Ordinance Correction: Code correction in SCC 14.24.080(4)(c)(vi). Reference to subsection (6) should be a reference to (5)(b).
C22-3 Guemes Island Overlay Side Setback Amendment: remove preferential side setback requirements for the Guemes Island Overlay to be consistent with other areas of the County.
C22-4 Economic Development Plan Amendment: add a new goal to the Economic Development Chapter (Chapter 11) of the Skagit County Comprehensive Plan to ensure public facilities are eligible for state economic development grants.
C22-5 Seawater Intrusion Areas Amendment: change the requirement for a County Hydrogeologist to review proposed new wells in a seawater intrusion area to instead allow for a licensed hydrogeologist employed or engaged with the County to perform the review.

The citizen-initiated petitions, notice of availability, and other information can be found on our website: www.skagitcounty.net/2022CPA.

Public Comment and Public Hearing

Written comments are being accepted October 20, 2022, through November 10, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Option 1: Email comments are preferred and must be sent to [email protected] with the proposal name (?Skagit County?s 2022 Docket of Proposed Policy, Code, and Map Amendments?) in the subject line. Include your comments in the body of your email message rather than as attachments.

Option 2: Paper comments must be printed on 8?x11 paper and mailed or delivered to:

Planning and Development Services, Comments on ?Skagit County?s 2022 Docket of Proposed Policy, Code, and Map Amendments? 1800 Continental Place Mount Vernon WA 98273

All comments must be received by the deadline referenced above and include your full name and mailing address. Comments not meeting these requirements will not be considered.

Option 3: You may also comment in person. The Planning Commission is hosting meetings in the Skagit County Commissioners? Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.? If you wish to provide online testimony, please send an email to [email protected], with your name, phone number, and include a request to be added to the speakers list in the body of the email.? Public hearing testimony is usually limited to three minutes, so written comments are preferred.

Anyone who plans to attend the public hearing and has special needs or disabilities should contact Planning and Development Services at (360) 416-1320 at least 96 hours before the hearing to discuss and arrange any special accommodations.

Please see the agenda, meeting materials, and link to watch the hearing on TV21 at:?https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/CountyCommissioners.

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