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San Juan County is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) with support from a consultant team and a grant from the Department of Commerce. All counties, cities, and towns in Washington state planning under the Growth Management Act(GMA) are requiredto periodically review and update comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure consistency with state laws and the expected population and employment projections for the next 20 years. The County's goal is to adopt the Comp Plan update byJune 30, 2025.
The 2025 Comp Plan update process includes:
Implementing a public participation plan
Reviewing and incorporating GMA changes into the Comp Plan (see FAQs)
Updating data and conducting analyses
Analysis under the State Environmental Policy Act
Advisory committee meetings
Planning Commission work sessions and hearings
County Council meetings and hearings
San Juan County is developing a new Climate Element as part of its broader climate resilience planning efforts. The Climate Element is being developed separately and in coordination with the Comp Plan update. For more information, please visit the project webpage HERE.
More information, including public participation opportunities, drafts, and hearing dates, will be added to this page as they become available.
San Juan County is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) with support from a consultant team and a grant from the Department of Commerce. All counties, cities, and towns in Washington state planning under the Growth Management Act(GMA) are requiredto periodically review and update comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure consistency with state laws and the expected population and employment projections for the next 20 years. The County's goal is to adopt the Comp Plan update byJune 30, 2025.
The 2025 Comp Plan update process includes:
Implementing a public participation plan
Reviewing and incorporating GMA changes into the Comp Plan (see FAQs)
Updating data and conducting analyses
Analysis under the State Environmental Policy Act
Advisory committee meetings
Planning Commission work sessions and hearings
County Council meetings and hearings
San Juan County is developing a new Climate Element as part of its broader climate resilience planning efforts. The Climate Element is being developed separately and in coordination with the Comp Plan update. For more information, please visit the project webpage HERE.
More information, including public participation opportunities, drafts, and hearing dates, will be added to this page as they become available.
Share First Draft Public Participation Plan on FacebookShare First Draft Public Participation Plan on TwitterShare First Draft Public Participation Plan on LinkedinEmail First Draft Public Participation Plan link
The Comprehensive Plan update process includes opportunities for the public to learn, engage, and provide valuable feedback to the County. A Public Participation Plan will guide the County's engagement efforts during this project.
The first draft of the Public Participation Plan is now available. The Planning Commission will review and comment on the draft at their May 17, 2024 meeting. Feedback from the public, Planning Commission, County Council, and County staff will be incorporated into the draft in the coming weeks.
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update has finished this stage
The County Council approved Resolution 34-2023, establishing a 2045 countywide population projection of 23,014 permanent residents. The population projection is a key component of the Comp Plan update as the County plans for the future. The approved projection is consistent with the medium projection provided by the state Office of Financial Management.
Request for Proposals - January 2024
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update has finished this stage
The County issued an RFP seeking a consultant to complete the Comp Plan update. The application period closed February 7.
Contract awarded to Otak, Inc. - March 2024
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update has finished this stage
The County is working with a consulting team from Otak, Inc. to complete the Comp Plan update.
Project Kick Off - Spring 2024
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update has finished this stage
Establish final work plan based on Department of Commerce periodic update checklist. Prepare public participation plan.
Analyses
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update is currently at this stage
The Comp Plan update includes a variety of analyses that help the County understand current conditions and projected needs. The results of the analyses inform policy decisions. Analyses include:
Land Capacity Analysis: evaluates capacity for future housing and employment needs in urban and rural lands.
Housing Needs Assessment: evaluates existing housing stock and projects housing needs by income bands.
Transportation Level Of Service Assessment: evaluates traffic and performance of County transportation infrastructure.
Capital Facilities and Utilities Inventories: take stock of existing facilities and utilities and evaluates future needs based on projected population.
Draft Plan Element Amendments
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
Draft policy amendments will be drafted based on new state requirements and the results of the analyses.
Official Map Amendments
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
The County may consider land use designation, density, and urban growth area amendments based on the results of the land capacity analysis.
SEPA Process
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
Otak will prepare an expanded SEPA checklist to assess whether the proposed Comp Plan amendments are expected to cause environmental impacts.
Department of Commerce Review
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
The state Department of Commerce has 60 days to review proposed Comp Plan amendments to ensure they are consistent with the Growth Management Act.
Legislative Process: Planning Commission Hearing
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
San Juan County Code (SJCC) 18.90.020 establishes the legislative procedures for adopting Comp Plan amendments. As part of this process, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing where they recommend draft amendments to the County Council. Anyone may provide written or oral testimony at the hearing.
Legislative Process: County Council briefing
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
DCD staff will brief the County Council on the Planning Commission's recommendations. Then, the Council will set a public hearing.
Legislative Process: County Council Hearing
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
The County Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance of proposed amendments. After considering public testimony and deliberating, the Council can adopt the amendments.
Adoption Due Date: June 30, 2025
this is an upcoming stage for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
The County's Comp Plan update is due to the state on June 30, 2025. Grant funding and the County's contract with Otak ends on this date, too.