A meeting to discuss changes to Freeland’s Urban Growth Area is planned for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Whidbey Water Service Building, 5585 Lotto Ave., Freeland.

Washington law defines an urban growth area (UGA) as an area in which urban growth is encouraged and outside of which growth can occur only if it is not urban in nature.

Whidbey Island has four UGAs: one each for the town of Coupeville, the non-municipal UGA of Freeland, the city of Langley and the city of Oak Harbor. State law requires counties and cities at least every eight years to review UGAs, the densities permitted within each UGA and the nature of development that has occurred.

The county commissioners hold final authority over the shape and size of UGAs, though it consults with cities on which parcels should be removed.