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List of stories about Growth Management Act in San Juan County

Line drawn for UGA

posted 08/18/00
Friday Harbor Town Councilmembers want to change the agenda for their August 30, 2000 joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners. At the top of their revised list -- the county's proposed affordable housing site -- forty-one acres off of Lampard Road.

Councilmembers were taken aback by the map showing the area just outside the town's western boundary. Town Administrator King Fitch told the council, the county was reluctant to draw the map but did so under advice from county prosecutor Randy Gaylord.

The BOCC is under orders from the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board to make changes to parts of the county's comprehensive plan. The hearings board ruled in July 1999 that some sections of the county's comp plan were invalid. One of the areas that needed to be changed was the plan's housing element.

The county reanalyzed anticipated housing needs for the next 20 years. According to their figures, there would be a shortfall of 414 additional low and very-low income housing units on San Juan Island. Since density is the key factor in making housing affordable the county determined the units would need to be in the Town of Friday Harbor.

While the county has the final say in where the Urban Growth Area boundaries will be, according to Fitch it is supposed to be a joint process. according to Fitch. He reminded the council the town has not been included in the county's planning process.

"It bothers me that they drew a line on the map and said where we'd put low-income housing," said Councilwoman Vonda Sheiman during the August 17 town council meeting.

"They're under a deadline. They have a problem,"said Councilmember Bill LaPorte. "We're not under a deadline. They're trying to give us their problem."

The county has until October 16 to respond to the hearing board's order. The town council will suggest the BOCC ask the hearings board for more time to determine where the affordable housing will be located.

"We need to put the brakes on them," said Sheiman. "We need to look at our colored maps and see where it is the best fit."

46-unit subdivision planned for Friday Harbor

The development would be done in two stages -- 27 units first, followed by 19 units in phase two. The subdivision encompasses four tax parcels between Grover and Hunt Streets.

Warren Jones, Town Permit Coordinator, is assessing the proposed subdivision's water and sewer needs and the town's capacity to fulfill them. A stormwater plan has already been approved. Road capacity is another topic under study.

As part of the process, Jones will determine if an Environmental Impact Study is necessary. Notification of neighbors and a public hearing are also part of the process. The town council has the final say in the process.

Foxhall and Village Grove were the most recent Friday Harbor subdivisions. Both ended up being reduced in size when San Juan Island School District bought property from each development.