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01/12/2010: "Planning Commission Public Hearing Continues Friday On Land Use"

The SJC Planning Commission will continue a public hearing Friday (in the County Council hearing room) on a number of items, including proposed changes ((.pdf (278\k file) to the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element.

Also to be reviewed for possible changes is the “ Vision and Commitment ((pdf (50\k file) statement of the Comprehensive Plan that is the heart of the plan. The vision statement is the starting point for the statements in the Comp Plan that set the goals and policies for land use in the County. The Uniform Development Code then spells out the regulations to make the goals and policies obtainable stating what is allowed and how it is to be developed.


The Vision Statement is the result of over three years of work by the largest cross section of citizens ever assembled in San Juan County. Three large committees from the three legal districts created the statement, and based on that vision, went on to write the Comprehensive Plan.

Planning Coordinator Shireene Hale states in her staff report to the Planning Commission that the issue for the Commission is to go through the Land Use Element and: ” replace outdated terms, add cross references, remove actions that have been completed, improve support of agricultural activities, revise policies guiding Critical Area regulations, add policies for a new Fairgrounds Overlay District, ensure internal consistency and consistency with the Washington Growth Management Act, and add new policies to guide land use and development in San Juan County.”

The agenda (.doc (167\k file)) is not specific as to when the hearing will take place, as there are four major items on the agenda scheduled to start at 8:45, and the Land Use Element is number three on the list.

After the Planning Commission completes their review, they will make recommendations to the County Council, who will in turn hold at least one public hearing before making a final decision as to what changes -if any- are to be made.