Council begins review of Comp Plan elements during Spring workshop meetings

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

At today’s Council workshop meeting, Department of Community Development (DCD) staff kicked off a series of Comprehensive Plan Element review sessions. During the meeting, Council had the opportunity to review a few draft elements and provide DCD with feedback.  

These workshop reviews will continue throughout the spring and provide opportunities for Council and the public to engage with the Comp Plan. DCD staff will return to Council on the following schedule: 

• March 17, 2025: Element 1 (Governance), Element 4 (Water Resources), Element 9 (Historic and Archeological Preservation) and Element 10 (Economic Development)
• March 31, 2025: Element 5 (Housing), Element 7 (Capital Facilities), Element 11 (Climate)
• April 14, 2025: Element 2 (Land Use), Official Maps
• April 28, 2025: Element 6 (Transportation), Element 8 (Utilities), other remaining Comp Plan components

You can access the meeting live streams, recordings, and agenda packets on the County’s website: https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/ 

About the Comprehensive Plan Update

San Juan County is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) with support from a consultant team and a grant from the Department of Commerce. All counties, cities, and towns in Washington state planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to periodically review and update comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure consistency with state laws and the expected population and employment projections for the next 20 years. The County’s goal is to adopt the Comp Plan update by the end of 2025.

Public Engagement

The Comp Plan Update shapes the future of our community and there are several ways you can participate:

• Provide written feedback: Written comments provide an opportunity to share detailed thoughts, concerns, or suggestions. Written comments can directly impact the policies and priorities outlined in the plan. To submit feedback, email your comments or questions to compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov.
• Speak at a County Council meeting: The County Council meets regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:00am. These meetings are open to the public with “Public Access Time” at the beginning of each meeting, where anyone can share their input. You can access the meeting live streams and agenda packets on the County’s website: https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/ 
• Speak at a Planning Commission meeting: The Planning Commission meets monthly on the third Friday of the month at 8:30am. These meetings are open to the public with “Public Access Time” at the beginning of each meeting, where anyone can share their input. Check the meeting agenda to see which elements will be discussed that month.
• Stay Informed: Regular updates help you understand the process, follow developments, and participate effectively. View the Guide to Getting Involved in the Comp Plan Update (en Espanol) to learn more about reviewing draft amendments during this project. 

Over the coming months, the County will continue reviewing the Comprehensive Plan in an effort to ensure consistency with state laws and the expected population and employment projections for the next 20 years. The County’s goal is to adopt the Comp Plan update by the end of 2025.

For additional information about the Comp Plan Update process including upcoming meetings, agendas, past drafts, and new documents to review, visit  https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2025-comp-plan-update and https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/589/Planning-Commission.

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development 

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.