Submitted by San Juan County.

San Juan County is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update – and your input is welcome! Today, the draft Climate Element, as well as draft Official Map amendments for the Eastsound Urban Growth Area, are available for review and public comment. In addition, residents are also invited to attend a virtual drop-in session on Tuesday, March 11 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. to learn more about the Climate Element and ask questions. Details and the meeting link are available at https://www.bit.ly/CEdrop-in.

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.

The San Juan County Planning Commission will continue to review draft Comprehensive Plan amendments at their March 21 meeting. The meeting agenda is available at https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3069/files/agenda/5301. Agenda items related to the Comprehensive Plan Update include:

• Element 11, Climate: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32089/.

• Official Map Amendments for the Eastsound Urban Growth Area: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32094/.

Public comments specific to these items can be submitted by March 20 for review at the Planning Commission meeting on March 21, though comments may be submitted at any time throughout the update process. Send comments to: compplan@sanjuancountywa.gov.

About the Climate Element

The Climate Element is a new addition to San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan with the 2025 update. The Climate Element will identify goals and policies to address climate change and increase resiliency to climate impacts within the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Including this element is now required by the Growth Management Act (Chapter 36.70A RCW), which was amended in 2023 under Washington House Bill 1181 to direct cities and counties to integrate climate mitigation and/or resilience policies into their periodic comprehensive plan updates.

The draft Climate Element available for review is the result of a robust process of engagement and thoughtful input from the community, the Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee, a Climate Policy Working Group and many partners and stakeholders. Once finalized, the next step will be to produce the Climate Action Plan, which will provide implementation strategies and actions to carry out the goals and policies established in the Climate Element.

You can learn more about the process, read updates and view extensive supporting materials and resources at the Climate Resilience Planning and Action project page. Residents are also invited to attend a virtual drop-in session on Tuesday, March 11 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. to learn more about the Climate Element and ask questions. Details and the meeting link are available at https://www.bit.ly/CEdrop-in.

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 8:30 a.m. 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.

• 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 (also available in Spanish) to learn more about reviewing draft amendments during this project.

Over the coming months, the County will continue reviewing the Comprehensive Plan 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.

About San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship

San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is responsible for solid waste, marine resources, clean water, cultural resources and climate and sustainability work. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/839/Environmental-Stewardship.