Young Associates Project Services, Ltd.

20/02/2013

Shoreline Master Program Update

The SMP Update approved by the Board of Commissioners on December 27, 2012 increases the layers of regulations and requirements on shoreline properties, making it more likely that property owners will need to hire “experts” to help understand how they can use and develop their shoreline property.

Some property owners will need to find creative solutions to comply with the new regulations, using options such as mitigation plans, setback or shoreline variances, reasonable use determinations, low-impact development techniques, or buffer-averaging.

Ecology received the SMP Update from the County on February 6th. In talking this week with David Pater, The Department of Ecology’s Project Manager for the review of the SMP Update, Ecology’s review process doesn’t start until they deem that the package is complete.

Mr. Pater explained that there will be a 30-day Public Comment Period, and public hearings will be held on the Island, most likely in late March or early April.

19/02/2013

January 15, 2013

More restrictions for our shorelines?

While Young Associates has been monitoring and commenting on the progress of the Island County Shoreline Master Program Update, other potential threats to shoreline development and uses have been going on behind the scenes. WEAN (Whidbey Environmental Action Network) has sued Island County in order to force them to update Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Buffers in Island County.

This could really impact shoreline property owners.

It is likely that the current 75-foot Shoreline Conservation Buffer will be increased if the “best available science” shows that the shoreline environment will be better protected by imposing larger buffers.

Public Hearings will be a required part of the buffer update process. We highly recommend that the local Real Estate community get involved and attend these upcoming hearings.

We will follow this process closely, and work to keep you informed as we find out more.

14/12/2012

Breaking news! Whidbey Island Association of REALTORS awarded Affiliate of the Year for 2012 to Young Associates Project Services, Ltd. Thank you!

07/12/2012

SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE
December 7, 2012

Recently, the Island County Board of Commissioners made changes to the Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies section of the Shoreline Master Program Update. Since the Board did not adopt it as originally recommended by the Planning Commission, it needs to go back to the Planning Commission for deliberation and comments. Apparently the Planning Commission cannot make changes to this revised SMP document, but will review the board’s changes and write a finding of fact.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and issue a report and recommendation to the Board of Island County Commissioners on SMP Goals and Policies as revised by the Board of Island County Commissioners. The public is invited to comment at the hearing.

The Planning Commission meeting will be Tuesday, December 18th at 9:00 AM in the Commissioner's Hearing Room in Coupeville.

The Goals and Policies section is the only section of the SMP that affects the Island County Comprehensive Plan, and that is why it needs to go back to the Planning Commission. You can read it at:

http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/documents/SMPGoalsandPoliciesNov292012.pdf

If, after reading this section you would like to make any comments, you can do so by commenting at the Public Hearing or by submitting comments in writing to Planning & Community Development at PO Box 5000, Coupeville, WA 98239 prior to the hearing day.

04/04/2011

Over 30 people attended the Whidbey Island Association of REALTORS® Lunch and Learn at Windermere in Freeland last Thursday. The feedback was positive, and many signed up to receive our newsletter publication, The Optimist.

07/03/2011

22/01/2011

Since our inception in 1996, Ron Young has been a principal at Young Associates.