This was originally posted to: Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

GIPAC Annual & Treasurer's Reports, November 19, 2016

2016 Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee (GIPAC) Annual Report

for Annual Meeting November 19, 2016

Accomplishments and Activities - Highlights

June    Adoption of Code Changes to Implement the Guemes Island Subarea Plan, as part of the 2016 Skagit County Comprehensive Plan Update

·      Guemes Island Zoning Overlay adopted (30’ height limit; side setbacks totaling 30’ or 30% of lot, lower wall height at setback line; fence height standards; no Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) where chloride levels are above 25 ppm in water supply).

·      Note that some Guemes property owners expressed concern about the proposed overlay; GIPAC responded by supporting several modifications to the Subarea Plan recommendations: higher building wall heights at the setback line; measuring from flood level not grade; and allowing administrative variances from the code.

·      Seawater Intrusion Code adopted (applies to all of Guemes Island as a “Sole Source Aquifer”; updates and codifies Interim Seawater Intrusion Policy; limits pumping rates and requires water meters; etc.)

·      Follow up meeting in November with local realtors to promote understanding of the Subarea Plan and the new code requirements

June    Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update

·      GIPAC analyzed and responded to latest draft of SMP Update and promoted inclusion of Subarea Plan recommendations, particularly the Subarea Plan’s recommendations on the Shoreline Environment Designations map.

·      In June, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners (BoC) sent draft SMP to the State Department of Ecology (DOE) for review (after 5+ years of being under development)

·      County draft still does not incorporate all Subarea Plan recommendations.

·      Upcoming schedule unclear (“adoption mid-2017”); GIPAC continues to track proposal and request incorporation of our Subarea Plan recommendations.

July      2017 Docket for Skagit County Code Amendments

·      Three code amendments submitted by GIPAC:  1. Promote and facilitate rainwater collection systems as preferred water source on Guemes;  2. Require that plans for new wells be submitted to and reviewed by the county prior to drilling, for enforcement of the Seawater Intrusion Code; and  3. Enforce the Subarea Plan policy that requires permanent protection of any open space designated in a Conservation and Reserve Development (CaRD) on Guemes.

·      Met with Board of Commissioners in October to review proposals, and will attend public hearing in December.

July

·      GIPAC received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Guemes Island Property Owners Association (split with Carol and Tom Deach)

September      Rainwater Catchment Proposals  Further Developed

·      Rainwater catchment system research, including field trip to Friday Harbor to meet with San Juan County’s Drinking Water Manager and national consultant in rainwater catchment design.

·      Based on this further research, GIPAC revised its proposal to better encourage rainwater catchment as the preferred source of potable water on the island, making it as easy and economical as possible for islanders to pursue.

Summer/Fall   Shoreline Restoration

·      GIPAC brainstorming on possible shoreline restoration projects and approaches.

·      Special program at annual meeting focuses on shoreline restoration.

 

Year-round     Building County Relationships

·      Considerable outreach to County staff, the Planning Commission, and Board of Commissioners to educate them about the Guemes Island Subarea Plan and key island concerns related to growth and development, especially groundwater concerns.

·      Numerous meetings and hearings at Planning Commission and with BoC members.

·      Extensive collaboration with Planning Dept.; give and take has been very constructive.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Attached below

 

Upcoming Work for GIPAC – 2017

Shoreline restoration projects and community involvement (using and honoring the Roz Glasser bequest).

Education about and promotion of rainwater catchment systems.

Continued work on groundwater protection, discouraging new wells in areas of seawater intrusion.

Monitoring Shoreline Master Program Update and promoting inclusion of Subarea Plan recommendations.

Expanded community outreach.

Planning Commission education and outreach.


 

GIPAC 2016 Annual Meeting: Treasurer's Report

 November 2015 – November 2016

1.  Non-Profit Checking Account (*5739)

Balances:       $2,967.04  (11/19/2016)  (- $421.51 for year)

$3,388.55  (11/15/2015)

Interest earned (.100%): $3.31

Expenditures: $474.82

            $10.00 – ck.1259 (12/18/15)   (Sec. State – annual report)

            $14.82 – ck.1258 (1/7/16)       (Nancy Fox – Fed Ex reimbursement)           

            $50.00 – ck. 1260 (3/15/16)    (Guemes Island Community Church – heating)

            $400.00 – ck. 1261 (9/7/16)    (Tim Pope – rainwater catchment consultation)

Deposits: $50.00

            $50.00 – (7/12/16)       (GIPOA Citizen-of-Year award)

 

2.  Roz Glasser Shoreline Restoration Bequest Account (*5823)

Balance:         $10,491.64 (11/19/2016)

Deposit:          $10,467.82 (7/29/2015)

Interest earned (.150%): $23.82

Expenditures: none

 

Hal Rooks

GIPAC Treasurer