Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

July 7, 2025

Meeting Called to Order: 6:40

Board Members Present: Kathy, Allen, Michael, Steve, Gabe (Zoom)

Members of the Public Present: Sue Fox, Michael Gray

July Meeting Agenda: Approved

June Meeting Minutes: Approved

Treasurer’s Report:

GIPAC Account Balance $ 3195.96

Public Comment: None

Updates/New Business:

• Schoolhouse Park: SUP Public Comment and Public Outreach: (July 21st comment due)
  • Kathy will write and submit a comment on behalf of GIPAC in support of SUP.
  • Gabe will talk to neighbors.
  • Members encouraged to write in support of SUP.
• Anacortes Dock: public comment is now open: (July 25th comment due)
  • Conversation was had about the Anacortes Terminal project. Talked about concerns in the county about BESS. Mt. Vernon FD wrote a paper about a mitigation plan for BESS. Steve talked to the AFD Chief about the proposal.
  • There was talk about other aspects of the development that impact the surrounding communities. Things like: ticket booth, holding lanes, ADA compliance, etc…
  • More conversation was had about whether or not there is even an electric ferry coming and if it even makes sense to move forward to dock remodel.
  • Final conversation about board submitting comments and others submitting comments.
  • Motion passed to engage with counsel to look at proposal MDNS decision. 
• Guemes parking lot improvement project:
  • Board discussion about parking lot improvement on guemes side. Hope to meet with SCPW to understand the plan and timeline.
• Skagit Transit:
  • The board discussed many aspects of the SKAT pilot that is currently running on Guemes. Ridership is down compared to when the ferry was in drydock.
  • Michael will post to help promote SKAT ridership. GIPAC will request that SKAT does a survey of the ridership.
• Status of Comp Plan and CAO update:
  • The board discussed comp plan language including: Reasonable Use Exceptions and Variances used during permitting process.
  • GIPAC to re-submit comment on CAO (July 28th comment due) 
• GIPAC business:
  • Board member recruitment
    • Gabe to send out the GIPAC Board Membership Information spreadsheet.
  • Website update:
    • Discussion about what content to add to the website to help the public understand what we do: What is Seawater Intrusion? What is our mission statement? Bylaws and board member list.
  • Historical GIPAC documents: went to historical society for safe keeping
  • Project progress: Not talked about.

Meeting adjourned: 8:45