10/27/2006: "Meetings To Begin On Critical Areas Ordinance"

CD&P (Community Development & Planning) has released a Public Participation Plan that will be used to structure public input into the updating of the County Critical Areas Ordinance.

the GMA (Washington Growth Management Act) requires counties to amend their existing Critical Areas Ordinance to bring it into conformance with minimum State standards. With the assistance of a consultant, San Juan County has begun working on these amendments.

Long Range Planner Shireene Hale said she "expects to spend considerable time out listening to folks, and discussing their concerns and ideas." As an example of her interest in obtaining an understanding of issues and concerns, she stated that, " Next week I am going to be touring some agricultural operations on Lopez Island".

The public is invited to attend workshops on the Wetlands section of the Ordinance next Monday and Tuesday. Meeting times and locations for the Wetlands workshops are:

Orcas Island: Monday, October 30, 1:30-3:30, Senior Center, 62 Henry Road, Eastsound
San Juan Island: Monday, October 30, 7:00-9:00, Fire Station District #3, 1011 Mullis Street, Friday Harbor
Lopez Island: Tuesday, October 31, 10:45-12:45, Senior Center, 2228 Fisherman Bay Road, under Fire Station

The consultants will explain the changes required by the Growth Management Act and review their approach in drafting the Wetlands section of the Ordinance.

The consultants will answer questions and participants will be asked to identify the following

● issues or concerns relating to the Wetlands requirements,
● ideas on how to meet standards of the GMAct that is acceptable to County residents,
● suggestions on the ordinance development process, and
● any unanswered questions.

Workshops on other sections of the Ordinance will be held in the coming months, and information gained at the workshops will be used by staff, the consultants, and a review committee that will be appointed by the County Council.

For more information, or to provide comments contact Shireene Hale, CD&P, 135 Rhone St., PO Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250, 360-370-7569, shireeneh@co.san-juan.wa.us.