Welcome to Skagit County

April 21st, 2005

SECOND OPEN HOUSE FOR THE FIDALGO ISLAND SUBAREA PLAN TO BE HELD MAY 5

Community members are invited to attend an open house for the Fidalgo Island Subarea Plan on Thursday, May 5, from 4 to 7 pm. The open house will be held at the Fidalgo Island Elementary School, 13590 Gibralter Road. This will be a follow up to the first open house held in November and the recent citizen survey of South Fidalgo Island.

This second open house will present an overview of the subarea plan, summarize the outcome of the last open house and the citizen survey, and preview some of the elements that will be included in the subarea plan. This is an opportunity for citizens to see progress that has been made, and to see what kinds of options may be available for the planning of Fidalgo Island’s future.

Unincorporated South Fidalgo Island has been identified as a rural area for more detailed planning by Skagit County. This will result in a community plan for South Fidalgo that will include provisions for maintaining rural character on the island, an assessment of the natural and built environment, and will determine ways to accommodate future growth.

A Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) were formed at the beginning of this process to guide the plan in consultation with County staff and consultants. The subarea plan is a little more than half way through a four phase process. This open house will be part of phase three in which strategies are developed to implement priorities, and these ideas are presented to the public. Phase four of the plan will involve drafting of the subarea plan and facilitating environmental review.

For more information about the Fidalgo Island Subarea Plan, please visit the Skagit County website at www.skagitcounty.net/planfidalgo or contact Jeroldine Hallberg at 360.336.9410, or email jeroldineh@co.skagit.wa.us.