Eastsound UGA Map Amendments Meeting & Planning Commission Public Hearing

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 9, 2025 – San Juan County is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update. The Comp Plan Update includes proposed Comp Plan Official Map amendments in the Eastsound Urban Growth Area. Prior to the scheduled September 19, 2025 Planning Commission public hearing, the Department of Community Development is hosting a community meeting to provide information about proposed Comp Plan Official Map amendments in Eastsound.

Are you interested in learning more about the Official Map Amendments in Eastsound? Come to the community meeting!

Eastsound Official Map Amendments Info Community Meeting Details:

  • When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 5-6pm
  • Were: Orcas Island Public Library
  • What: Learn about the Comp Plan Update, the proposed Official Map amendments for Eastsound, and how to comment and participate in the September 19 Planning Commission hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What are the Comprehensive Plan Official Maps?

A: The Official Maps establish the land use designations and residential densities in San Juan County. Land use designations determine allowable uses of property, permitting requirements, and development standards. Residential densities set how many dwelling units can be developed per acre of land. The Official Maps also show the boundaries of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs).

  • Q: What is an Urban Growth Area?

A: Washington State requires the County to designate Urban Growth Areas where concentrated growth and development are encouraged. UGAs make intensive use of land for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. Outside UGAs, lands are rural, and only nonurban development is permitted.

In San Juan County there are two unincorporated UGAs, Eastsound and Lopez Village. Friday Harbor is the County’s sole incorporated UGA.

The County must ensure the UGAs can accommodate projected housing and employment growth for the next 20 years.

  • Q: Why is the County proposing land use designation and UGA changes for Eastsound?

A: As part of the Comp Plan Update, the County conducted a Land Capacity Analysis for UGAs. The Land Capacity Analysis determined that, under the current Comp Plan and development regulations, Eastsound does not have sufficient space for the housing needed for the next twenty years of population growth.

Specifically, Eastsound lacks capacity for housing types needed to serve households making 0-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI in San Juan County is $89,744. Typically, higher density housing serves this group. In San Juan County, housing that typically serves 0-80% AMI households includes single-family residences, duplexes, and multifamily housing at 4-12 units per acre.

The proposed density increases and UGA expansion areas in Eastsound allow and encourage development in Eastsound to serve future and existing unmet housing needs.

  • Q: What happens if the proposed changes are adopted?

A: If the proposed changes are adopted, more housing development in Eastsound will be allowed. For properties that are in UGA expansion areas, the Comp Plan will allow property owners to apply for permits to develop and divide land at densities significantly higher than the rural designations allow. Land added to the UGA must be served by urban services, such as sewer and water, when developed.

At this time, there are no proposed developments related to the changes. The proposed changes do not require property owners to develop affordable or multifamily housing; rather, the changes create more opportunities for this sort of development over the 20-year planning horizon.

  • Q: Where can I learn more?

A: Learn more about the proposed Eastsound UGA Official Map Amendments by:

Planning Commission Public Hearing

At the Planning Commission hearing on September 19, 2025, the Planning Commission will hear public testimony and make a recommendation to the County Council regarding the 2025 Comp Plan Update. The draft ordinance includes changes to the Comp Plan Elements, Appendices, and Official Maps. The changes respond to new state legislation, updated data and population projections, and public input.

The September 19 Planning Commission meeting agenda is available HERE.

Written public comments can be submitted by September 18 at 12pm for consideration at the Planning Commission hearing on September 19, though comments may be submitted at any time throughout the update process. Send written comments to: compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov or PO Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

En Espanol: La actualización del Plan Integral del condado de San Juan es un proceso vital que forja el porvenir de la comunidad. Sus ideas nos son esenciales, y puede participar de varias maneras. Guía para participar en la actualización del Plan Integral del condado de San Juan.

Public Engagement

The Comp Plan Update shapes the future of our community and there are several ways you can participate:

  • Provide written feedback: Written comments provide an opportunity to share detailed thoughts, concerns, or suggestions. Written comments can directly impact the policies and priorities outlined in the plan. To submit feedback, email your comments or questions to compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov.
  • Speak at a Planning Commission meeting: The Planning Commission meets monthly on the third Friday of the month at 8:30am. These meetings are open to the public with “Public Access Time” at the beginning of each meeting, where anyone can share their input. Check the meeting agenda to see which elements will be discussed that month.
  • Speak at a County Council meeting: The County Council meets regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:00am. These meetings are open to the public with “Public Access Time” at the beginning of each meeting, where anyone can share their input. You can access the meeting live streams and agenda packets on the County’s website: https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/ 
  • Stay Informed: Regular updates help you understand the process, follow developments, and participate effectively. View the Guide to Getting Involved in the Comp Plan Update (en Espanol) to learn more about reviewing draft amendments during this project.

Over the coming months, the County will continue working toward adopting the Comprehensive Plan Update in an effort 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 by the end of 2025.

For additional information about the Comp Plan Update process including upcoming meetings, agendas, past drafts, and new documents to review, visit https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/2025-comp-plan-update and https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/589/Planning-Commission.

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use designations, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.

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