Frequently Asked Questions

OakPAC is short for the Oak Harbor Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. This is a large group of people and agencies in the community whose voice is critical is accomplishing successful planning in Oak Harbor. This group will convene three times throughout the process to review key issues that may come up during the data collection and goal revisions process. These meetings will be open to the public. Please note, this group will not provide a formal recommendation on the plan, they will only guide direction of goals for the Planning Staff. 

A comprehensive plan is a compass that guides growth and development over the next 20-years. The plan serves as a guiding document for local governments' future decision making. The plan addresses many topics including population growth, housing, transportation, infrastructure and utilities, economic development, parks, recreation and open space, rural areas, and protection of natural resource lands. The plan includes goals, objectives, policies, actions, and standards. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan, see the Washington planning resources below.

Yes, the 2016 Comprehensive Plan will be updated during this year long process. Click the link to read the 2016 Oak Harbor Comprehensive Plan. When the last plan was adopted, it was required to update the plan every 8 years. As of 2023, the State requires comprehensive plans to be updated every 10 years.

Data collection for the project has already started. Community engagement events for the project will start mid-late Summer 2024 and go until Spring 2025. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of June 2025.

Everyone is involved in the Oak Harbor’s Comprehensive Plan. The City’s Planning team works tirelessly coordinating with agencies at the County and State level on data collection for the plan. Residents and business owners in the city contribute invaluable data about the current community conditions. This helps the Planning Commission and Council understand how the plan can improve residents’ quality of life. 

State Law requires the Comprehensive Plan be updated every 10 years. This is referred to in state law as the “periodic update”. It also requires that changes in state law since the last update get incorporated into the plan. The plan must also address changes in local circumstances, such as population growth, and community priorities. Updates ensure Comprehensive Plans remain relevant to the evolving conditions of the jurisdiction, while establishing a collective vision for the next 20 years.

The City uses the Comprehensive Plan to guide local development and capital budget decisions. The plan's goals and policies will be implemented through changes to zoning designations and development regulations.

The City Council will make the final decision on the Comprehensive Plan after the Planning Commission has completed a thorough review of the existing conditions, community engagement data, and revisions to the goals and policies. According to the project timeline, the Planning Commission will make a final recommendation to the Council in Spring 2025.

We encourage you to sign up for the City’s newsletter to stay involved on the project and receive email updates. Click here to sign up for the newsletter. There will be a series of opportunities to provide feedback including two surveys, public meetings, and multiple public comment periods. 

“Accessory Dwelling Unit” means an additional dwelling unit added to, created within, or on the same property as a single-family dwelling.  Also known as mother-in-law apartments.   

“Commercial/Industrial” means commercial uses or industrial uses, or both, are allowed on the lot with no residential allowed. 

“Mixed-use” means multiple uses developed on a single parcel or parcels in common ownership or multiple uses within the same building. Examples include hotels, offices, retail, restaurants, and residences constructed in that manner.

“Public safety” means services that protect the public, property, or environment of a community. These are most commonly emergency response, crime prevention, public health, law enforcement, safety education, and protection of infrastructure.

“Infrastructure” means publicly funded or publicly used facilities. Most commonly these are sidewalks and roads, but improvements can also be bridges, curbs, gutters, railways, tunnels, sewer, and more.

“Infrastructure improvements” means improving publicly funded or publicly used facilities. These are often road projects, but improvements can also be for bridges, tunnels, sewer, or any infrastructure facility.

“Reduce the use of fossil fuels” could mean a variety of solutions. An example of ways to reduce fossile fuels is improving energy efficiency in building heating and cooling systems, transitioning to renewable energy, and expanding sustaintable transportation solutions.

“Flooding” means a natural disaster that occurs when water overflows onto normally dry land, often due to heavy rainfall, storm surges, or the rapid melting of snow and ice. This excess water can submerge homes, infrastructure, and agricultural areas, causing significant damage and disruption.

“Sea level rise” means the gradual increase in the average level of the world's oceans due to factors such as the melting of ice caps and glaciers, as well as the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. This rise poses significant risks, including coastal erosion, increased flooding, and the displacement of coastal communities.

“Extreme precipitation” means an unusually high amount of rainfall or snowfall over a short period, often resulting in intense storms or heavy downpours. This phenomenon can lead to severe flooding, soil erosion, and damage to infrastructure and ecosystems.

“Extreme heat” means prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures that significantly exceed normal seasonal averages. This phenomenon can lead to health risks such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, strain on energy and water resources, and increased risk of wildfires.

“Drought” means an extended period of abnormally low precipitation that results in a shortage of water supply. This can lead to severe impacts on agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems, causing crop failures, reduced water availability, and damage to wildlife habitats.