ISLAND COUNTY: Clinton business people raise concerns ahead of development moratorium vote
Kira Erickson reports from the Clinton Community Council meeting of Mon., June 30, 2025 for the South Whidbey Record. Read the whole story.
South Whidbey residents are continuing to voice their concerns about a development moratorium in semi-urban areas of unincorporated Island County having a negative impact on businesses.
On Tuesday, July 8, county commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. on a replacement moratorium, which includes some exceptions for minor maintenance and emergency repairs to commercial properties.
The current moratorium has been in effect since April 15 and affects areas zoned as mixed-use Rural Areas of Intense Development, or RAIDs. The commissioners have stated the purpose of the one-year moratorium is to stop development in these areas while the county is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan.
At a Clinton Community Council meeting this week, members of the public expressed their frustration with the moratorium. Emily Neff, the assistant planning director for the county, acknowledged that moratoriums are never popular and difficult decisions. Commissioner Melanie Bacon, who represents South Whidbey, was invited but not present at the meeting Monday night.
They Said It
Neff added that it’s likely new zoning in the 11 mixed-use areas will include some minimum density requirements to promote housing as part of commercial projects. The county health department is conducting a study to assess septic technologies that could support more density, which Neff cited as another reason for the pause on building in RAIDs.
Clinton Community Council members discussed the possibility of sending a letter to the county commissioners ahead of the meeting July 8 asking for an exception for projects that have already completed the pre-application process… But Bacon said she had not yet received that letter Wednesday afternoon when contacted by the South Whidbey Record.
“I would encourage the property owner and anyone who’s concerned about this to provide public comment at the hearing,” she said.
Though she likes the idea of a motel in Clinton, she said that’s not the issue here. She declined to reveal how she plans to vote but said she is leaning towards supporting the moratorium.
