The adoption of a major update to the city’s zoning code and development regulations Dec. 15 was the most visible accomplishment of Ryan Larsen’s first 100 days — give or take a week — as the city’s new director of planning and community development.

Forging working relationships, learning city regulations and shepherding the planning documents through their final stages of adoption has occupied much of Larsen’s time since he started work the first week of September.

“The first part has been getting to know everyone, getting to know the systems,” Larsen said.

“He did get a boatload of Shoreline Master Plans and development regulations to complete,” said Mayor Dean Maxwell. “He’ll be working pretty hard until June to get the Shoreline Master Plan buttoned up. That’ll help make sure marine-related businesses can still get out on the water.”

After the retirement of Ian Munce last year, Larsen assumed responsibility for the final phases of the adoption of the development regulations update and the new shoreline master program. Both draft plans were being reviewed by the state when he arrived.

Last month the Anacortes City Council approved the zoning update after pulling out a section that would increase a retail size limit in the Commercial Marine 1 zone. The council is expected to take up consideration of the retail cap and the shoreline plan early this year. The public will have an opportunity to comment on any state-recommended changes to the Shoreline Master Program before it is adopted; old shoreline rules remain in place until then.

Larsen, whose starting salary is about $83,000, came to Anacortes with solid credentials. He worked on code changes as an Arlington planner and was a council member there when the zoning code was rewritten. He said he’s eager to start on the economic development aspect of his job. While attracting new businesses is important, he said he considers retention of existing ones equally crucial.

“It’s not just about economic development. It’s about economic sustainability. You’ve got to look at it from both directions,” Larsen said.

“I think he’s a quick study and he certainly has some good ideas,” Maxwell said. “I’m sure he feels a lot of pressure with the economy.”

The mayor said the city is fortunate to have stable companies such as Dakota Creek, Trident, the refineries and T Bailey. He said two or three energy development firms are eyeing March Point.

“Not everyone is seeing (things) in terms of doom and gloom. There are many here with means,” Maxwell said.

Larsen said Gems LLC is considering converting the old Sebastian-Stuart cannery into a hotel complex. Although building permits are down, he said other permits are up as people invest in the future.

“People are repairing their roofing, remodeling,” he said. “I was surprised how much activity is happening.”

He said this is a good time to make sure the city has the amenities to attract new enterprises. Codes and regulations should be completed, and processes must be smooth, efficient and clear. He said he wants to prepare information packets that include everything business owners need to know about the city.

“I think what we need to do, since the economy is so slow, is to set ourselves up for the future opportunities, so when the economy starts turning around we can attract those businesses that want to relocate,” he said.

Larsen has worked with the Anacortes Futures Project, a group that is studying the local economy and that is expected to make recommendations in coming months. One of that group’s interests is how a change in the city’s commercial mix would affect existing businesses. He has helped the group understand what can and can’t be done under existing law.

Maxwell said it is helpful to have someone come into the organization with an outsider’s perspective. He said Larsen is competitive and known for getting things done.

“He’s a bright young man. He’s working hard. He’s got some contacts that have already proved beneficial for us,” Maxwell said.

The brother of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, he has a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington, a bachelor’s degree in geography from Central Washington University and an associate degree from Skagit Valley College. He was a senior planner for Snohomish County’s Planning and Development Services and a senior planner for Arlington. He was a city council member in Arlington from 2002 to 2005. Since 2006 he was project manager for Barclays North Inc. of Lake Stevens, where he worked on land and career development projects, and he briefly headed a private consulting firm and was an investment representative with Edward Jones.

The new planning director has been impressed with the amount of input provided by Anacortesans.

“What I’m noticing is there’s an extreme amount of community involvement and community pride,” he said. “You start a committee and 30 people show up.”

He said other places are not as active — perhaps because they have less to protect.

“The other great feature of Anacortes is all the open space. It’s incredible. It’s a huge asset,” he said.