Welcome to Skagit County

April 11th, 2005

GMA 2005 OPEN HOUSE TO BE HELD IN MOUNT VERNON

Skagit County citizens are invited to attend a public Open House for the 2005 Growth Management Act (GMA) update on Monday, April 25, 2005. The Open House will be held at the Skagit County PUD Building in the Aqua Room, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. For directions call the PUD at 360-424-7104.

The Open House provides an opportunity for the public to be involved in the 2005 GMA update to determine whether the goals, objectives, and policies of the Skagit County Comprehensive Plan are in compliance with the Growth Management Act and with the County’s vision for future growth. This process will eventually lead to the Board of County Commissioners reviewing and approving any changes that are necessary to update the County Comprehensive Plan.

The Open House will allow participants to browse displays explaining the Comprehensive Plan and Growth Management Act. There will also be displays explaining the update process and the progress made to date. County staff, steering committee members and consultants will be on hand to answer questions. Participants will be encouraged to fill out comment forms to give their feedback on their priorities and concerns for Skagit County.

Every seven years, the Growth Management Act (36.70A RCW) requires Skagit County to update its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations to ensure compliance with the Act. Skagit County adopted its Comprehensive Plan, under the Growth Management Act, in 1997. The County must complete its first seven-year update of the Plan by December 1, 2005. This update process is referred to as the "2005 GMA Update."

By 2025, Skagit County is expected to be home to nearly 50,000 more people. That's a 45% increase. This growth should bring more economic opportunities and more diversity to our communities. In order for the quality of life in Skagit County to remain high and its resources to be sustained, we need to work together this coming year to ensure that the Comprehensive Plan remains a strong blueprint to guide the growth.

A fifteen member Steering Committee has been appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to advise the Planning Staff and Planning Commission during the review process and to help identify issues and gaps. These committee members represent a variety of county interests and groups. This committee has met monthly since October, and will continue to do so until updates are complete.
The Skagit County Planning Commission will also review any proposed amendments relating to the update, and conduct public hearings and deliberations. The Planning Commission will ultimately make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding any needed changes.
The schedule follows a 15 month timeline that includes docketing of proposals for plan changes, analysis of current goals, policies, and strategies, preparing code amendment options, drafting a new plan, review by public and state agencies, and final adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
For more information about the 2005 GMA update, please visit the GMA update website at www.skagitcounty.net/gmaupdate or contact Guy McNally or Kirk Johnson at Skagit County Planning & Development Services 360-336-9410.
This project is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.