The San Juan County Council has scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 12 to consider whether to postpone until May 1 the effective date of the recently approved updates to the Critical Areas Ordinances. Councilwoman Patty Miller said the delay would provide time to “ensure a solid implementation of the new regulations.”

The postponement would give county staff an additional two months to complete a series of workshops with design professionals, planning staff, real estate professionals and develop materials to help individual citizens understand the new regulations before they go into force.   The public hearing on the postponement is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. during the council regular session.

The department of Community Development and Planning currently has CAO workshops for Jan. 30, 8:45 a.m.  – 1:45 p.m. at the Mullis Street Fire Station, 1011 Mullis Street in Friday Harbor and Feb. 6., 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. at the  District 2 (Eastsound) Fire Station, 45 Lavender Lane in Eastsound.

The workshops have been scheduled for design professionals, planners, land use attorneys and consultants who deal with permits and land use codes.

Preregistration for workshops is required. To register contact Lynda Guernsey at lyndag@sanjuanco.com or at 370-7579 and give your name, phone number, email address, and the class you are registering for.