Welcome to Skagit County
July 7th, 2011
Planning
& Development Services to Revise Pipeline Safety Recommendation
SKAGIT COUNTY - Having received numerous substantive comments in opposition
to the setbacks proposed in the May 17, 2011, pipeline safety draft code, Skagit
County Planning and Development Services (PDS) will provide the Planning Commission
with another draft that will scale back and revise the proposed ordinance. The
new draft will more closely align with Whatcom County's pipeline safety code.
"This process has really demonstrated the value of public involvement when
we propose changes to our land use code," PDS Director Gary Christensen
said. "We heard the public loud and clear, and we're revising in direct
response to the comments we received." The new draft will not include the
setbacks for development other than high-consequence land uses, consistent with
Whatcom County's ordinance, and will delete other provisions to clarify and
streamline.
The Planning Commission is scheduled for pipeline safety deliberations on July
19, 2011. The Board of County Commissioners must approve any code amendment
for it to become law.
Additionally, the County will be developing a permanent Pipeline Safety webpage
and brochure to provide information to landowners about the dangers of encroachment
on a pipeline easement, how to obtain copies of pipeline easements, and how
to obtain assistance locating utilities.
PDS will make the draft available to the Planning Commission and the public
via the PDS website (www.skagitcounty.net/planning) and the PDS email list.
To stay informed about Skagit County's proposals for land use regulations, subscribe
to our "Planning and Development News" email list on www.skagitcounty.net.
For more information, contact Kirk Johnson, Planning and Development Services,
at kirkj@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360)
336-9410.