[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6148047,"mediaKeyId","5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99","parentId",5518173,"title","Roche Harbor seeks 119-acre map expansion; says no net increase in approved units, aims to add rental housing for employees","audioSeconds",3256,"startMs",562000,"endMs",3818000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99&start=562&end=3818","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99/thumbnail_562000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6148047/San-Juan-County/Washington/Roche-Harbor-seeks-119-acre-map-expansion-says-no-net-increase-in-approved-units-aims-to-add-rental-housing-for-employees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148047-e6aedf31dc62d83d42e4dc7f30dfbcae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440855&Signature=gxcgpc2S4F6EoBN60bqmkhvnrn8g0~lAazSGDFSVZzhObAoQUnaveZYhL93-XQFUPfEsUUZsBELOvzv7iXkCefd07zl9U~3bejRVRj6-GvabUBZZP~OIZnngZ4Y0qgukSU2wkKAZoBoxwNbjKcpezv1xQAgMB0hceJCGWy7fxHv0v91E2YA0etgu-eUdQMbjAujeawbuY~hHNMs0~3-h5vcHGmZDfr9mkjbXU~QlHi68A983OT92A3HwUJy8meVOsJAJ-xPqiUCWPXW5CJbuUoGF1m-D-Lv0OnXqAD~9RchVIDSCNdW6NGX1qybNH7baCx8IOvvDOvZlgf-e1hiNNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County, WA","date","2025-07-18T00:00:00Z","article","Roche Harbor representatives briefed the San Juan County Planning Commission on July 18 about a request to expand the Roche Harbor Master Plan Resort boundary by about 119 acres to replace developable land lost to recently identified wetlands. Matthew Allen, general manager at Roche Harbor, said the expansion \"does not increase the number of dwellings as are allowed in the current boundaries.\" He said the resort hopes to use the additional area to plan year-round rental housing for staff and other island residents.

Why it matters: The master plan, adopted in the 1990s, allocated a fixed number of dwelling units in the resort area. Roche Harbor’s request would reallocate potential development area within the existing unit cap rather than increase the cap; the resort says the change is necessary because wetland delineations discovered during pre-application work make some previously assumed developable uplands unsuitable.

County staff and the resort’s consultant, Colin Cooper, said the proposal would preserve the master plan’s overall unit count (the staff report referenced an existing allocation of approximately 180 units in the eastern district) while enabling development to avoid wetlands and retain required open-space and buffering standards. Cooper recommended a set of conditions, including maintaining at least 40% of resort lands as open space, formalizing continued public access to an existing trail network and retaining a 100-foot forested buffer along Roche Harbor Road and Raulieu Road. The master-plan process requires any development larger than 4,000 square feet or any new planned-unit development to go through an application-level PUD review, which will include environmental review and public notice.

During public access, Roche Harbor said it is pursuing covenants to reserve long-term accessibility for half of developed units and hopes to make some rental housing available by 2028 following the PUD review and permitting process. Commissioners asked about affordable housing options and water-supply sufficiency; representatives said the resort has discussed providing manufactured rental units for employees and residents and is continuing pre-application coordination with county staff. Staff will return next month with further recommendations and expects to ask the commission to set a public hearing for September, with council consideration possible in the fall. No formal map amendments were adopted at the July 18 briefing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - July 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Roche Harbor requested a 119-acre expansion of its master plan resort map to compensate for newly identified wetlands; the resort says the change will not raise the total number of approved dwelling units and aims to create year-round rental housing for employees after planned-unit-development review.","taxTitle","San Juan County, Washington","taxId",72708,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148051,"County staff recommends redesignating Shaw parcel to allow Public Works maintenance yard; public process, condition review next",1933,1318000,3251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99&start=1318&end=3251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6148051/San-Juan-County/Washington/County-staff-recommends-redesignating-Shaw-parcel-to-allow-Public-Works-maintenance-yard-public-process-condition-review-next","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148051-60ac4fd99f3c13cb9e13b0618baa0250/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440855&Signature=KolKT2MWSGEtBWq-NfS1NK0ndR-ASjC9-U12FagSrSL2QXCfG4Dwa7Zqa10j6oUynraMQgB2~EIpL-t1J~nv7utme8QwQ7zuR2kQB4Qa6BCDRr8NfkCwSPvsUtqAiTZBtYEnNhznh90S8a3SpQl00zuMMRSuOy1O0aIZ-wjYn2mmGcizsR8Y-nX2S0O~m9zZruOprKZCQqX2F02MexRo6GovDhFvhWgAYbZU8ax8w9~fy1LxHXxk79LZw18WXZBr-nVxBVcfWLeGFJGAu0Kpl8fUrGGf7DmLpFhpyblY0cSpim4yLTb5Ca-T5~yaigMF2uocpZU1ATtLbfmz1-b3Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County Department of Community Development staff briefed the Planning Commission on July 18 on a site-specific redesignation request to allow a Public Works road maintenance and storage yard on Shaw Island.

Sofia, county planning staff, said the proposal would redesignate a five-acre, county-owned parcel on Neck Point Road from Rural Farm Forest to Rural Industrial to allow \"construction yards\" and \"outdoor storage yards,\" activities that are currently prohibited in the parcel’s existing designation. The parcel includes an existing single-family residence that public works proposes to convert to office and staff rest space; there are smaller outbuildings on site. Staff noted the change would not alter residential density limits (the current density is one dwelling per five acres) and the proposal does not increase dwelling-unit allocations.

Why it matters: County code includes an essential public facilities (EPF) siting process for facilities that provide services the public needs but are difficult to locate. Public Works identified a demonstrable need for on-island storage, material processing and staging to support road projects and emergency response; staff concluded the proposal would benefit public health, safety and welfare if mitigation conditions are met.

Staff said the parcel was selected after community outreach and an EPF siting process. The Department of Community Development issued a mitigated determination of nonsignificance (MDNS) with conditions that include maintaining vegetative buffers, using stormwater-management best practices and other measures to limit impacts. The department concluded the proposal meets the county’s site-specific redesignation criteria because: there is an identified need for land where the proposed industrial activities are allowed on Shaw; on-site buffers and parcel size can reduce impacts on neighboring properties; and the public benefits of improved local maintenance and faster emergency response outweigh potential adverse effects.

The county council directed Public Works to submit the application on June 13; the next step is a Planning Commission public hearing, expected to be set in September and bundled with the annual comprehensive-plan work. Sofia warned that the timeline is tentative because an outstanding appeal of the EPF siting is pending before the hearing examiner and the superior court. No final decision was made at the July 18 briefing; the commission asked staff to schedule the formal public hearing and to return with finalized recommendations and notice materials.","County staff recommended changing the land-use designation of a county-owned five-acre parcel on Shaw Island from Rural Farm Forest to Rural Industrial to site an essential public facility for Public Works storage and maintenance; the proposal proceeds toward a planning commission public hearing but is subject to pending appeals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148057,"Commission recommends adding Shaw Island standing-committee language change to DCD work plan",499,797000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99&start=797&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99/thumbnail_797000.jpg","/articles/6148057/San-Juan-County/Washington/Commission-recommends-adding-Shaw-Island-standing-committee-language-change-to-DCD-work-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148057-5a2c1db6e05e5a285837ca970260488c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440855&Signature=IxjcX3ToFT~JgjNOX4L3pGkjGHi7Y-wolQkfb4xadxiClD-yXs4e7szvUpF2vVPXPpQ6FZBE8mr0HlSACoV0fiwdnopB8tS8tVBXt43VO0h-TAd9WfdRFZ1Sk8fdjeg3nfJh~VhTGU1ku6tMK4lygak9LXHux0tkvylXVkzk9Y6QCtFqdxto9VyB5kNoYkSeBzDzYpAye597zSZ7kCUpimxLjh3zD0grX-CXGU4MgpZd7zHsUGZIjncGSewodz4lSBY1tdvZXA1scILITpUOcHDcyegXQ15Dypg1jkDGY66fm5-jvN88CXNaUNcx7yv3WfHeuDZAuO4N1DOkrkDTyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Juan County Planning Commission on July 18 voted unanimously to recommend that the Department of Community Development add a docket request to its work plan asking the County Council to consider amending county code language about a Shaw Island standing committee.

The single docket application for 2025 requests changing an existing provision that reads \"a standing committee of seven members shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners with members to serve staggered three-year terms\" to substitute \"may\" for \"shall,\" allowing the county flexibility to establish the committee when local circumstances permit. Colin Cooper, a planner assisting county staff, explained the change during a public hearing and said the request stems from Shaw’s small population and the difficulty of sustaining a required seven-member body.

Why it matters: Under the Growth Management Act the county must maintain an annual docket process for proposed comprehensive plan and map amendments; the commission’s action was only a recommendation to the County Council and did not enact a code change. The commission’s motion asked only that the Department of Community Development consider and process the proposal as part of its future workload.

Deliberations were brief. Commissioner Sarah said the change \"sounds reasonable\" while noting the subarea plan’s review mechanisms should remain in place. Commissioner Bill Banks moved to add the item to DCD’s workload; Peter seconded. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Bill Banks, Serena and the chair, and the motion passed unanimously. The County Council will receive the commission’s recommendation and decide whether to pursue an ordinance change.","The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the Department of Community Development consider a docket application asking the county to change mandatory language for a Shaw Island standing committee from 'shall' to 'may,' giving local flexibility for forming the committee.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148061,"Madrona Institute’s Compass project urges county to use islander input in comp plan update",123,312000,435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99&start=312&end=435","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5518173-89734446cec7818755bcbb178ffa2e99/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6148061/San-Juan-County/Washington/Madrona-Institutes-Compass-project-urges-county-to-use-islander-input-in-comp-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148061-4ee33351d0531ce40982c5fa9c6ff8ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440855&Signature=jzRjZaYSTWA2wXYErb-rj1SK4~MTunDKmr-1Eem4F8PbV6vou8NS3ZvCyeveG5WbgogVyIwCbVB6hWC50cyxudpSD3YSnVnYdl5~ouXLhaOK8FBKFm34tt92YydHuyvKVlRT-I0MGEBo4HeG7J1h~U1E~JWNNqQABrjRC7Re7ucGLinRK-OlZi~LYgD0G5GpZSkOcFArOTGvwnoqCyEzZclnXlYABSZi98x4x16N7XnL-Hq-B2NuAdotTt1pUfL4GuQ0DA-w~8n-j78F8f8qGMQST9p4dBsdII4vOtq9FrvawGdkjbUQ0OxRlsRoa8R1bgNLGO5r1W5cIM7hjvf3AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Faith Vandeput, speaking for the Madrona Institute and the Climate Compass Project, urged the San Juan County Planning Commission on July 18 to use the project’s outreach results in the county’s comprehensive plan update. \"When residents are given accessible tools and relevant information and structured spaces for conversation, they offer deeply meaningful and actionable input,\" Vandeput said.

The Compass project, a Madrona Institute effort conducted in partnership with Friends of the San Juans and supported by a now-completed Department of Commerce grant, convened residents from Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw islands. Vandeput told commissioners the outreach engaged 254 islanders, produced 120 comment letters and generated 945 ideas that were compiled into interim reports and are being finalized in a forthcoming final report.

Why it matters: The Planning Commission is reviewing the periodic comprehensive plan update and several map amendments that will shape land-use, climate and infrastructure policy across the county. Community-generated recommendations could influence the county’s climate element and a future climate action plan, Vandeput said.

Vandeput offered to present the final Compass findings at a future meeting and noted the project included island-by-island, Spanish-language and youth sessions so the county can examine demographic differences in priorities. \"Participants valued the opportunity to share their observations, concerns, and ideas and expressed a strong desire for their voices to directly shape county policy,\" she said.

The commission chair accepted the offer and the project’s final report will be filed with county staff ahead of later plan deliberations. No formal action was taken during the July 18 meeting on the Compass material; Vandeput’s remarks were part of the public access time.","Faith Vandeput of the Madrona Institute told the San Juan County Planning Commission that the Compass outreach collected hundreds of ideas from island residents and will submit a final report to inform the county’s comprehensive plan and climate action work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Roche Harbor seeks 119-acre map expansion; says no net increase in approved units, aims to add rental housing for employees

County staff recommends redesignating Shaw parcel to allow Public Works maintenance yard; public process, condition review next

Commission recommends adding Shaw Island standing-committee language change to DCD work plan

Madrona Institute’s Compass project urges county to use islander input in comp plan update