Oak Harbor Hires New Community Development Director for Waterfront Renewal

Oak Harbor moved decisively on December 16 to fill a pivotal planning post, approving the hire of Stacie Pratschner as Community Development Director. The council voted unanimously to authorize the employment agreement after a recruitment that drew 56 applicants and produced three finalists. Council members voiced confidence in her background overseeing waterfront and downtown redevelopment projects.

Pratschner joins Oak Harbor from her role as Community Development Director in Mount Vernon and brings nearly two decades of planning experience across urban and rural communities in Northwest Washington. The city reclassified the position from Development Services Director to Community Development Director, signaling an expanded focus on strategic planning, land use policy and coordinated redevelopment efforts. Pratschner cited the waterfront redevelopment agenda and the ongoing comprehensive plan update as key reasons for taking the job.

For Island County residents, the appointment matters because the Community Development Director will guide permitting decisions, zoning implementation and longer term planning that influence housing supply, economic development and the character of downtown and shoreline areas. Waterfront redevelopment projects often intersect with shoreline management rules, environmental review and collaborative work with regional stakeholders. The director will play a central role in shepherding projects through those processes and linking them to the city comprehensive plan update.

The recruitment process reflected strong local interest in the position, and the unanimous council vote indicates a shared expectation that Pratschner can manage complex redevelopment efforts while navigating regulatory, community and intergovernmental requirements. Residents can expect city staff to begin integrating her priorities into the comprehensive plan update and into any waterfront or downtown planning initiatives already in motion.

Oak Harbor faces familiar regional challenges and opportunities, including balancing growth with environmental stewardship and maintaining downtown vitality in a changing economy. Pratschner’s experience in Northwest Washington positions her to work with community groups, neighboring jurisdictions and state agencies as the city advances its planning agenda. City officials have authorized the agreement and will announce next steps in onboarding and project timelines as Pratschner assumes her duties.