–by Margie Doyle —
Historic Mount Baker Farm. New owners plan to convert to a campground
At the May 4 monthly meeting of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee — which was announced as the last meeting for Committee members Greg Ayers and Fred Klein — the plans to develop Mount Baker Farm and Madrona Point highlighted recent developments in Orcas Island’s biggest “hamlet.”
County Community Development Director Erika Shook briefed the committee on plans to develop the historic 80-acre Mount Baker Farm as a campground, as described in the following documents: https://sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/12021
The property was formerly owned by Burton Burton, who purchased it as a dairy farm. Ruth Vandestraat is buying the property and has applied to the county for permits to develop it as a “Commercial Recreational Development,” with 50 campsites to start, eight port a potties and four portable showers to be serviced by private contractors. A Campground trail system is also designed.
While EPRC member Fred Klein praised the proposed development, EPRC Chair Jeff Otis challenged the county’s designation of campsites as an allowable use under Commercial Recreational Development.
- The new owner’s plans submitted last fall have been redesigned: “The concept for the project as a “Glampground,” … has been readdressed and significantly altered… in favor a a simple, low impact campground ” according to Attorney Rock Sorensen of Friday Harbor, representing Vandestraat.
Erika Shook said the county department of Community Development has been involved with the preapplication for the project, saying “We haven’t given [the proposal] formal review… at first glance it meets the conditions for Outdooor Recreation Facilities, including camping [which] is allowed.”
Otis said that there was a “huge gap [with the interpretation] in that resort and camping not being allowed vs outdoor recreational use being allowed.”
Shook said that she would send Otis the memo under which she considered “personal campsites with personal portable tents falls under outdoor recreation.” Shook also said that land use permits, grading permits,septic accommodations and parking plans have not been designated in the application.
Haven Road
The EPRC discussed plans for sidewalks, curbs and gutter on Haven Road, off Main Street in Eastsound, where a residential development is proposed on the east side of the road.
The advisory board discussed a proposal for curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the west side of Haven Road, with its designation as a one-way road going south, and a bioswale on the east side of the street, “which is basically what it is now,” said County Engineer Colin Huntemer. He defined the options for the road as:
- 2-way
- Parking
- Sidewalk or pedestrian accommodations
and said that two of the three options would be possible. Huntemer recommended that the street be one-way, which would allow parking and pedestrian accommodations.
Fred Klein moved that the EPRC ask the County Council to revisit the boundaries set for sidewalks and that Huntemer be given more time to work on “the Haven Road situation.” Greg Ayers seconded the motion, in part so that the EPRC could discuss “larger things as to whether we want sidewalks in the area.”
While Ayers spoke in favor of “some type of consistency, EPRC member Margaret Payne asked, “Why does every pathway need to be a sidewalk?” and said she would welcome a larger discussion.
Otis suggested a friendly amendment to ask the Council to consider “different standards in different areas.”
Huntemer added that he was happy to assist the group in its discussion, “as a committee, or one on one.” However, he noted that such considerations would be “a deviation from what was approved in 2015 for curbs, gutters and sidewalks,” and questioned whether there would be standard requirements for future developments, such as the proposed affordable rental housing units on North Beach Road.
Leith Templin,who has lived on Haven Road for many years, cautioned: “The missing point is Harrison Point Road. The impact on that road from all cares that will exit [Madrona Point] from the Odd Fellows [Hall], or the new housing.The impact on Harrison Point Road will be huge.”
John Campbel, architect for the planned residential development, said that the EPRC had made a mistake in “applying standards far wider than anyone could have imagined them. Instead of removing the standards and studying them, you have decided to keep the restrictions and study them.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to support Fred’s motion. I think my project could proceed simply by posting a bond; but it makes more sense to me that, having stumbled, you should back off a little and study the problem.”
I am one of Mount Baker Farm’s nearest neighbors; my husband, Mike Schifsky, bought our home long before Burton ever came to Orcas Island. My comment is that there are far worse development options than a “glamping” campground would be. I hope that the Powers That Be will reconsider their rejection of that proposal.
Thea, there was no rejection of the proposal. The issue was with the process. The Planning Dept. interpretation of the code excluded review of an application for the proposal from the public process. The County interpreted the proposal as an “Yes” use which means it does not require a land use permit; it can be approved administratively with no input from the public.