Welcome to Skagit County

January 11th, 2010

Skagit County Now GMA-Compliant For the First Time in 19 Years

SKAGIT COUNTY-The Skagit County Commissioners are pleased to announce that the county has obtained GMA-compliance for the first time since the passage of the Growth Management Act in 1990, making the county eligible for additional state grant and funding opportunities.

In an order issued on Christmas Eve, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board dismissed Skagit County's last remaining GMA compliance issue and the long-running Abenroth case, which was initially filed in 1997. Skagit County reached settlement with the remaining parties in the case early last month, and all parties jointly moved for dismissal. The settlement commits the county to a community-based public participation program for creation of Planned Unit Development regulations and low impact development techniques for the Bayview Ridge Urban Growth Area. More information is available at www.skagitcounty.net/planning.

"Growth Management Act compliance is a noteworthy accomplishment and signifies that the County is working toward sustainable and well-planned growth while meeting community goals and policies under the requirements of state laws and community plans,” Skagit County Planning and Development Services Director Gary Christensen said. "Skagit County residents should be proud," Commissioner Ron Wesen declared. "We are planning for responsible growth while protecting property rights."

Although Skagit County has one additional compliance matter regarding the county's critical areas ordinance for ongoing agriculture, the county is precluded from taking action to achieve compliance by the Legislature's imposition of a statewide time out prohibiting changes to critical areas regulations affecting agriculture until July 1, 2010. The Legislature is expected to extend that timeout another year in the next legislative session.

For more information contact Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Walters at ryanw@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-336-9300 x 3135.