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2036 Comprehensive Plan Update
Comprehensive Plan Adoption
On November 30, 2022, the San Juan County Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan Update by Ordinance 20-2022. Ordinance exhibits HERE Version Options2036 Comprehensive Plan UpdateHeadline Comprehensive Plan Adoption. The adopted ordinance and exhibits, as well as the drafts considered at the public hearing, are available individually below. The Plan update goes into effect on April 1, 2023.
A notice of adoption was published in the Journal of the San Juans and the Islands' Sounder on December 28, 2022.
Background and Purpose
The Comprehensive Plan is the centerpiece of local planning in the County. Like a business plan, the Comprehensive plan provides the framework for how our community will grow.
The Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) requires counties and cities to conduct a mandatory “periodic update” at least once every eight years. San Juan County is currently in the process of completing a periodic update.
There are three primary purposes of the update:
- Review plan and regulations and bring them up to date
with any relevant changes to state law and the Growth
Management Act (GMA); - Respond to changes in land use and population; and
- Address any local preferences or needs.
Adopted Comprehensive Plan - Effective April 1, 2023
Combined Section D, Appendices
Section A, Introduction and Vision
Section B, Elements
- Governance
- Land Use
- Shoreline Master Program [EXCLUDED FROM COMP PLAN UPDATE]
- Water Resources
- Housing
- Transportation
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Historical and Archaeological Preservation
- Economic Development
Section D, Appendices
- Appendix 1, Population Forecast and Land Capacity Analysis
- Appendix 2, Joint Planning Policies with the Town of Friday Harbor (not amended with this update)
- Appendix 3, Friday Harbor Unincorporated UGA Management Agreement (not amended with this update)
- Appendix 4, Water Resources (not amended with this update)
- Appendix 5, Housing Needs Assessment
- Appendix 6, Transportation
- Appendix 7, Capital Facilities Plan
- Appendix 8, Utilities Inventory
Official Maps
The Council decisions for all proposed amendments are available HERE Version Options2036 Comprehensive Plan UpdateHeadline. The adopted Official Maps are below.
Other
The Deer Harbor Hamlet Plan has been modified to reflect the removal of the Deer Harbor Community Center Overlay on the District 2 Official Map.
QUESTIONS? Contact Sophia Cassam, Planner III at sophiac@sanjuanco.com or (360) 370-7589.
Between September and October, 2022, staff briefed the County Council on the Planning Commission's recommended draft Comprehensive Plan, including the Plan Elements, Appendices, and the Official Maps. After the briefings, staff made edits in response to County Council feedback, resulting in the "Staff Version." At the November 29, 2022 public hearing, the County Council will consider the Staff Version and the Planning Commission's recommendations. The Staff version of the draft Comprehensive Plan is available in one document as a combined Ordinance and Exhibits and as individual documents below.
Section B, Elements
- Governance
- Land Use
- Shoreline Master Program [EXCLUDED FROM COMP PLAN UPDATE]
- Water Resources
- Housing
- Transportation
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Historical and Archaeological Preservation
- Economic Development
Appendices
- Appendix 1, Population Forecast and Land Capacity Analysis
- Appendix 2, Countywide Planning Policies
- Appendix 3, Friday Harbor UGA Management Agreement
- Appendix 5, Housing Needs Assessment
- Appendix 6, Transportation
- Appendix 7, Capital Facilities Plan
- Appendix 8, Utilities Inventory
Official Maps
Other
The Deer Harbor Hamlet Plan has been modified to reflect the proposed removal of the Deer Harbor Community Center Overlay on the District 2 Official Map.
The Planning Commission made a recommendation on the draft Comprehensive Plan, including the Elements, Appendices, and Official Maps, on September 16, 2022. At the November 29, 2022 public hearing, the County Council will consider the Planning Commission's recommendation. The Planning Commission version of the draft Comprehensive Plan is available in one document as a combined Ordinance and Exhibits and as individual documents below.
Section B, Elements
- Governance
- Land Use
- Shoreline Master Program [EXCLUDED FROM COMP PLAN UPDATE]
- Water Resources
- Housing
- Transportation
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Historical and Archaeological Preservation
- Economic Development
Appendices
- Appendix 1, Population Forecast and Land Capacity Analysis
- Appendix 2, Countywide Planning Policies
- Appendix 3, Friday Harbor UGA Management Agreement
- Appendix 5, Housing Needs Assessment
- Appendix 6, Transportation
- Appendix 7, Capital Facilities Plan
- Appendix 8, Utilities Inventory and Existing Conditions
Official Maps
The Comprehensive Plan Update is effective April 1, 2023. Until then, the existing Plan is in effect. The existing Plan will be replaced by the updated version on April 1. Read the existing Comprehensive Plan here.
Past Staff Reports (Starting with Planning Commission July 15, 2022 Public Hearing)
July 5, 2022 Staff Report for July 15, 2022 Planning Commission Public Hearing (includes draft ordinance and all exhibits)
August 8, 2022 Staff Report for August 19, 2022 Planning Commission OFFICIAL MAPS Public Hearing (includes draft Official Maps as exhibits T, U, and V of the draft ordinance). Presentation Slides.
September 1, 2022 Staff Report for September 16, 2022 Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed Friday Harbor Urban Growth Area expansion at Jensen Marina and surrounding properties. Presentation slides.
Summary of the Planning Commission's September 16, 2022 recommendations regarding proposed Official Map changes
September 28, 2022 staff report for the October 3 and 10 County Council Official Maps briefings.
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