Hughes and Shook Give Progress Reports on County Government

— by Margie Doyle —

Eastsound Planning Review Committee, an advisory board of citizen volunteers to the County Council

The Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) monthly meeting on Nov. 1 heard reports from County Council member Rick Hughes and Community Development Manager Erika Shook, as well as the EPRC, about progress in county roads, finances, permitting, technology as well as the Orcas Island advisory committee’s report.

The meeting also heard about recent and future developments on the Zukin property west of the Eastsound Post Office (suggested to alleviate parking) and April’s Grove, OPAL’s proposed affordable rental development.

Hughes began with the good news that the Washington State Ferries (WSDOT- WSF) had been able to repair and put back into service the ferries that were due for maintenance and that had necessitated the revised, no-reservation ferry schedule for the San Juan Islands last month. The work had been completed ahead of schedule, Hughes said, while adding the caveat that the “State still needs $6M to fund new ferries.”

Eastsound streets and island roads then were addressed by Hughes, The Orcas Road project from Nordstrom Lane to McNallie Road is currently underway; Deer Harbor trails to provide pedestrian and bike safety travel zones are completed.

Tree cutting will begin on the April’s Grove property in the next two weeks, while trying to “carve out” safe and standard walkways from North Beach Road/School Road to Mt Baker Road. Hughes said the county is trying to “keep the frontage treescape as much as possible. We should focus our energies on the exchange at North Beach and Mt Baker roads with an emphasis on safety.”

EPRC member Brian Wiese asked Hughes if a stronger statement from EPRC was needed.  Hughes noted that approved streetscape plans have requirements that will affect trees; “We want to keep that section of Eastsound as close as we can to what it is now. We want development to happen on the west side of North Beach Road  and leave the view corridor.”

Later in the meeting OPAL Director Lisa Byers should drawings of which trees on the property will be cut and a video of the projected plans for the 45-unit affordable rental project.( See https://www.opalclt.org/news/opal-videos/ “Take a Tour of April’s Grove.”)

Working on 2019 budget

Hughes reports that the proposed 2019 county budget indicates a one percent increase in the total county budget and 2.2 percent increase in expenses; The Budget can be viewed at:  https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/17099/2019-Preliminary-Budget-Book.

While the County “prefers” not to increase full-time employees (FTSs) County Councilman Bill Watson is in support of adding code enforcement officers, Hughes said; and noted that the County had collected $35,000 on fine fees in 30 days for unpermitted vacation rentals. Hughes said there were 237 county staff people. and warned of the consequences of an economic downturn as occurred in 2008.

County debt is under $10M, which is its lowest indebtedness in 10 years. Hughes noted that there is also $1.8M in the budget stabilization fund; “In the county’s financial health, the budget is the biggest thing,” Hughes said.

EPRC report to council

EPRC Co-Chair Margaret Payne reported that every November, County Advisory Committees are asked to report on their accomplishments to the County Council. Payne summarized the EPRC’s work and achievements:

• Sign code enforcement, though incomplete
• Eastsound view easements along Main Street — enforcements incomplete,  however White Horse Pub replaced the fence obstructing the view with an “octopus sculpture” gate
• Zukin property for purchase or acceptance by the County — Payne indicated that this property is further on the monthly agenda
• Trail along Enchanted Forest Road at Lover’s Lane –Last year the EPRC secured County Public Facilities Funding (PFFAP)  to finish the gravel trail along Enchanted Forest; however that project has not yet started
• Streetscape plans have been revised and implemented for Haven Road, Prune Alley and North Beach Roads
• Fern Street plaza  has been developed in line with Public Works cooperation, there is “more work to be done”
• Land use analysis and the County Comprehensive Plan; Vision statement adopted, review of Service Light Industrial uses to be reviewed
• Nearshore waters recommendations presented to protect salmon and orca populations
• Village Green Playground EPRC granted $55,000 in LTAC process;  funds will be available in January, hope to have it completed by summer; project where citizens of Orcas are working with County Parks Department to make it complementary to Stage on the Green
• EPRC Work plan for next year to be involved in comp plan review

County Community Development Manager Erika Shook explained the changes taking place in the county Permitting Process and the Land Use Analysis.

Shook said  the Land capacity analysis is delayed because of final process of permit tracking system, which is expected to “go live in December, then we’ll be able to dedicate the next few week on Land capacity analysis.” The online permit tracking software will make all processes more transparent to the public than they are today; with search and map features. The public will be able to determine where the permitting is in the process and whose reviewed it; “there will be much more information available online. The hope is the files won’t get lost. The first step is to get the tracking system in place, and  learning how to work with electronic files.” The county is also implementing and learning document managing software.

John Campbell asked about the population planning for Eastsound, and Shook said that element has to be examined more carefully. “Eastsound has such a small population, it is hard for the forecasts to be accurate.”

Campbell said that growth management encourages growth in urban areas and that the County has an obligation to ensure that Eastsound has 50 % of island population. He said that county housing forecast point out that 75 percent of building permits are for non-residents.

Update on Zukin property and “A” Street traffic

Clyde Duke, former EPRC chair and member of the Eastsound Design Review Committee commended the past work by Fred Klein and Bill Trogdon on designs for traffic flow and parking on “A” Street (see https://theorcasonian.com/eastsound-committee-traffic-circles-for-a-street/  )

While public and EPRC consensus was that traffic would not be directed north on Orion Lane and the Lavender Hollow and Orcas Christian School campuses, recent EPRC and County discussions have focused on the “Zukin property” west of the Eastsound Post Office.

Much of the property is wetlands, and historically, Zukin has paid substantial fees for stormwater improvement. Traffic circles on the wetland portions may not be feasible. EPRC Co-chair Margaret Payne stated and emphasized that traffic on  “A” Street needs to be in compliance with emergency services, not just the numerous passenger vehicles but also delivery trucks

County needs to be involved with county enhancements, mitigation

Recently Zukin has been willing to donate his property to the county if the county undertook the paperwork involved. Now however, Clyde Duke and his wife are in negotiations with Zuking to purchase the property. Their intents is to “work with the county to enhance  A Street with improvements to the street incorporated into the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan.

Hughes noted that the County is in negotiations to add 50 parking spaces separately. Payne said that “A” Street is one of the most dangerous streets on the island.

Fred Klein, former EPRC member spoke regarding an outlet for street traffic  to the south, on the  property line between the Sea View Theater and the Orcas Athletic Cetnter building. Klein said, “I believe that there’s a reasonable potential from”A” Street south to connect to Main Street that would be significant to traffic in the village. Without an outlet, you’re committing to a major turnaround,”

Hughes said that Duke “has been a good partner with the County, and expressed  the need to prioritize the projects we currently face, such as trails or exit roads. Duke noted that it would probably be three to five year before due diligence on such a project would allow a go-ahead.

The Eastsound Planning Review Committee meets monthly at the Eastsound Fire Hall on the first Thursday, from 3 to 6 p.m. as an advisory committee to San Juan County. The public is welcome