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May 24th, 2005

GROWTH MANAGEMENT HEARING BOARD FINDS SKAGIT COUNTY LOT CERTIFICATION ORDINANCE COMPLIANT WITH GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT

SKAGIT COUNTY –The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board has found Skagit County’s Lot Certification Ordinance in compliance, according to Skagit County Planning and Development Services Department Director Gary Christensen.

Skagit County adopted the new regulations in response to an order from the Hearings Board in February, 2001. The order required that the County’s regulations prevent the encroachment of incompatible uses on agricultural lands to assure their long-term viability, and prevent low-density sprawl and development which cumulatively requires urban services in rural areas.

“This new ordinance replaces the “old aggregation code” and balances the goals of the Growth Management Act by providing more certainty and fairness while protecting natural resource lands, reducing sprawl and protecting property rights,” said Christensen.

Christensen applauded the hard work of the staff and legal counsel, the Board of Skagit County Commissioners, the Skagit County Planning Commission, farmers, conservationists, land use and property rights proponents and the community at-large for weighing in on the issue. “This replaces a 30 plus year-old land use regulation with an ordinance that attempts to balance the needs of many,” he said.