Tethys gets a boost: Council supports UGA expansion request Posted by Kimberly Jacobson | Sep 26, 2012 | 819 views

The Anacortes City Council Monday night approved moving forward with the city’s application to expand its urban growth area, a decision that aids Tethys Enterprises as it works to acquire property and build a huge beverage-bottling plant here.

The 6-1 vote means the county process can begin regarding the UGA expansion request.

The property, about 11 acres on the south side of Stevenson Road off Reservation Road, is being eyed by Tethys as part of the property it needs for its proposed facility.

Before the council meeting Monday, Save our Skagit River organized a peaceful demonstration in support of the Skagit River outside City Hall attended by more than 100 people. Protesters, many wearing blue, held signs with messages including “Answers before action,” “No Tethys” and “No trains in Turners Marsh.” Two also held up a giant fish puppet.

Many attended the meeting, where the council made its decision after more than an hour of discussion in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Councilman Ryan Walters voted against the motion after his own motion to table the decision until early December failed in a 4-3 vote. Supporting his motion were Eric Johnson and Brad Adams.