The Anacortes Planning Commission on Nov. 12 approved a shoreline substantial development permit for the Depot Plaza expansion at Jim Rich Civic Park, agreeing to the eight conditions recommended in the Nov. 6 staff report.

Anna Dewey, the city’s associate planner, told commissioners the project would extend the existing Depot Plaza by about 10,000 square feet to accommodate a larger Anacortes Farmers Market and other community events, add utilities, pave an existing gravel approach from Market Street and restore the site’s surface. "This presentation... is a quick overview of what is in the staff report," Dewey said. She added that all construction would occur above the ordinary high water mark and that no in-water work is proposed.

Dewey said the application was received Aug. 7, followed a required neighborhood meeting and a 30-day written comment period that closed Oct. 24. She said planning staff received five public comments (listed in exhibit G of the staff packet) and incorporated applicable city staff comments into the recommendation. "The planning staff recommends that the planning commission approve the shoreline substantial development permit, subject to the proposed conditions of approval," Dewey said.

Commissioner Mills moved to approve Permit SDP-2025-0004 subject to the eight recommended conditions addressing pedestrian connectivity, landscaping and protection of the existing Madrona Grove, clearing and grading limits, archaeological and historic resources, shoreline master plan compliance, and permit time limits. The motion passed on a voice/roll call vote with Commissioners Mills, Ryan, Martin, Stoneman and Juratsky recorded as voting yes.

Commissioners questioned operational impacts for market vendors. A farmers market representative and Dewey said vendors will be able to use the new plaza (which will include utilities) and that vendor parking habits that currently use the west-side street will likely shift to Market Street or other nearby streets as overflow. Dewey said the project is funded by an economic development grant from Skagit County and staff have an agreement to complete work by May 2026.

Commissioners also raised concerns from OARS (a local boating/user group) about elevation and slope for trailer loading. Dewey said OARS’ questions appear to be resolved through continued coordination and a more formal agreement; she said the city engineer estimates roughly an eight-inch elevation increase in the affected zone, which staff believe will accommodate the group’s loading needs.

The permit is a Type 3 review because the project valuation is under $1 million, and the planning commission is the final decision-maker for this application. Dewey told the commission the proposal is considered a water-enjoyment recreational use under the city’s shoreline master program and is not anticipated to cause a net loss of shoreline ecological function. The project was determined categorically SEPA-exempt under the cited Anacortes Municipal Code provision for minor new construction involving under 500 cubic yards of fill/excavation.

The commission concluded deliberations and approved the permit. Chair Martin thanked applicant John Lunsford of Parks and Recreation and staff for their work. The permit decision was issued by the commission at the Nov. 12 meeting; no appeal or administrative challenge was announced during the hearing.