— from Domenic Verbano —
Please don’t build in April’s Grove. Affordable housing is a must, but do we have to knock down one of the last stands of mature fir and madrona trees in Eastsound to build it?
I don’t know why Opal hasn’t [taken] this into consideration: The wind tunnel this will create will be detrimental to the surrounding areas and the whole of Eastsound Village once this stand of trees is cut down and/or thinned out. The wind will push strongly through from Eastsound to North Beach, and south from North Beach through Eastsound Village. This is poor sustainable management. It will be detrimental to all who live here.
Can we not find a nice field somewhere to build affordable housing? I live in affordable housing, so I’ve looked into the subject. If we are going to build new housing, concentrate on tiny-house, or “small-house” villages. Find a way to get working Islanders back into the rural areas in rentals. Tax the vacation rentals and support year-round rentals. Allow a second guest house to be built on five acres or more if the owner’s intention is to rent it out.
There are plenty of positive ways of addressing this issue. It is time we do this. Let us not knock down a bunch of ecologically and sustainably necessary trees to build affordable housing. You plan to destroy more than you are create. Put affordable housing it open space. We can together find a better space for April’s Grove.
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I thought April’s grove was an apple orchard. While they are quite old those trees would respond to pruning and care. Look how beautiful the pears are out at Ship’s Bay.
We need avolunteer Apple Corps for Aprils trees and an imimaginative architech to plan housing amonst the trees.
East sound has lost enough trees
Before I write I should really check the facts, but I can’t wait. As far as I know, April’s field is not part of the new OPAL project. As far as I know the area to the north will not be clear cut, many trees will remain and there will be a very well designed clump of houses.
I work for OPAL Community Land Trust. OPAL’s plans for new rental townhomes strive to blend and balance many different goals, including retaining as many healthy trees as possible. The buildings are designed to be durable and attractive townhomes that fit the character of Eastsound while also using all the allowable density assigned to the property. For more information, please go to the April’s Grove page on our website: http://www.opalclt.org, or contact me at the OPAL office, 360-376-3191.