- Home
- Your Government
- Community Development
- Divisions
- Long Range Planning
- Comprehensive Plan Update
2036 Comprehensive Plan Update
Background and Purpose
The Comprehensive Plan is the centerpiece of local planning in the County. Like a business plan, the Comprehensive plan provides the framework for how our community will grow.
The Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) requires counties and cities to conduct a mandatory “periodic update” at least once every eight years. San Juan County is currently in the process of completing a periodic update.
There are three primary purposes of the update:
- Review plan and regulations and bring them up to date
with any relevant changes to state law and the Growth
Management Act (GMA); - Respond to changes in land use and population; and
- Address any local preferences or needs.
Roadmap to Adoption in 2022
The Comprehensive Plan update is on track to be adopted by the end of 2022. The Planning Commission held public hearings during the Summer of 2022 and made a recommendation on the draft Comprehensive Plan and Official Maps on September 16. The County Council reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation at briefings between September 12 - November 7. The County Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing to adopt the Comprehensive Plan Update on November 29, 2022.
How to Participate
- Read the staff memo, linked HERE Version Options2036 Comprehensive Plan UpdateHeadline. Combined memo with attachments (1600 pages) HERE Version Options2036 Comprehensive Plan UpdateHeadline.
- Review the draft ordinance, Plan elements, appendices, and official maps posted on the tabs to the right.
- Submit written comments by sending an email to: compplancomments@sanjuanco.com.
- Attend the November 29, 2022 public hearing online or in-person in Friday Harbor. Provide testimony during the public hearing. County Council meeting information is available HERE.
If you would like to be notified of opportunities to participate the update process, please sign up for notifications under the heading “News Flash” and "Comprehensive Plan Update" here: http://sanjuanco.com/list.aspx . Individual notices of events and opportunities will also be sent to print and online newspapers and blogs, posted on the County website, and otherwise broadly distributed.
QUESTIONS? Contact Sophia Cassam, Planner III at sophiac@sanjuanco.com or (360) 370-7589.
Between September and October, 2022, staff briefed the County Council on the Planning Commission's recommended draft Comprehensive Plan, including the Plan Elements, Appendices, and the Official Maps. After the briefings, staff made edits in response to County Council feedback, resulting in the "Staff Version." At the November 29, 2022 public hearing, the County Council will consider the Staff Version and the Planning Commission's recommendations. The Staff version of the draft Comprehensive Plan is available in one document as a combined Ordinance and Exhibits and as individual documents below.
Section B, Elements
- Governance
- Land Use
- Shoreline Master Program [EXCLUDED FROM COMP PLAN UPDATE]
- Water Resources
- Housing
- Transportation
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Historical and Archaeological Preservation
- Economic Development
Appendices
- Appendix 1, Population Forecast and Land Capacity Analysis
- Appendix 2, Countywide Planning Policies
- Appendix 3, Friday Harbor UGA Management Agreement
- Appendix 5, Housing Needs Assessment
- Appendix 6, Transportation
- Appendix 7, Capital Facilities Plan
- Appendix 8, Utilities Inventory
Official Maps
Other
The Deer Harbor Hamlet Plan has been modified to reflect the proposed removal of the Deer Harbor Community Center Overlay on the District 2 Official Map.
The Planning Commission made a recommendation on the draft Comprehensive Plan, including the Elements, Appendices, and Official Maps, on September 16, 2022. At the November 29, 2022 public hearing, the County Council will consider the Planning Commission's recommendation. The Planning Commission version of the draft Comprehensive Plan is available in one document as a combined Ordinance and Exhibits and as individual documents below.
Section B, Elements
- Governance
- Land Use
- Shoreline Master Program [EXCLUDED FROM COMP PLAN UPDATE]
- Water Resources
- Housing
- Transportation
- Capital Facilities
- Utilities
- Historical and Archaeological Preservation
- Economic Development
Appendices
- Appendix 1, Population Forecast and Land Capacity Analysis
- Appendix 2, Countywide Planning Policies
- Appendix 3, Friday Harbor UGA Management Agreement
- Appendix 5, Housing Needs Assessment
- Appendix 6, Transportation
- Appendix 7, Capital Facilities Plan
- Appendix 8, Utilities Inventory and Existing Conditions
Official Maps
Past Staff Reports (Starting with Planning Commission July 15, 2022 Public Hearing)
July 5, 2022 Staff Report for July 15, 2022 Planning Commission Public Hearing (includes draft ordinance and all exhibits)
August 8, 2022 Staff Report for August 19, 2022 Planning Commission OFFICIAL MAPS Public Hearing (includes draft Official Maps as exhibits T, U, and V of the draft ordinance). Presentation Slides.
September 1, 2022 Staff Report for September 16, 2022 Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed Friday Harbor Urban Growth Area expansion at Jensen Marina and surrounding properties. Presentation slides.
Summary of the Planning Commission's September 16, 2022 recommendations regarding proposed Official Map changes
September 28, 2022 staff report for the October 3 and 10 County Council Official Maps briefings.
-
San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan Update Nears Completion
A series of County Council briefings, Planning Commission meetings, and public hearings contribute to the Plans’ pending adoption before the end of the year Read on... -
San Juan County Enters Final Stage of Review for Comprehensive Plan Update
A series of County Council briefings will lead to final Plan adoption before 2023 Read on...