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November 16th, 2006

COMMISSIONERS ISSUE LETTER TAKING RURAL INTERMEDIATE RESIDENTIAL ZONING PROPOSAL OFF THE TABLE FOR SOUTH FIDALGO ISLAND SUB AREA PLAN
Public meeting scheduled for November 29 at Walla Walla College Marine Center

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Board of Commissioners signed a letter yesterday taking the residential intermediate proposal off the table of the South Fidalgo Island sub area planning process. “We recognize that the “one shoe fits all” alternative is not supported by the community at large, and is inconsistent with state growth management goals, according to staff and legal staff,” stated the signed letter. Commissioners Ken Dahlstedt and Don Munks signed the letter today. Commissioner Ted Anderson was on vacation.

The residential intermediate proposal submitted earlier by the Citizen Advisory Committee called for 2 ½ acre residential zoning throughout the sub-area. The proposal received significant community opposition.

The letter also called for the Citizen Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee hold joint meetings to review and comment on land use alternatives and infrastructure issues generated by the community planning process.

“We believe that the Commissioners letter to South Fidalgo Island citizens clarifies the County’s position and responds to the community’s concern about growth and how it might occur. By re-engaging the community, we are optimistic that land use alternatives will emerge that address rural character, quality of life and other environmental and growth related issues,” said Skagit County Planning Services Director Gary Christensen.

A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at the Walla Walla College Marine Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. According to Christensen, facilitators at the meeting will spend time with residents to identify issues that need to be resolved. These issues will be addressed in an all-day workshop to be scheduled in January.