Zoom meeting tomorrow
— by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter
At the recent EPRC special meeting, the focus was largely on lighting as it remains a flashpoint of interest to community members concerned over potential impacts to downtown rural character. It’s true that the project has been long in coming with plenty of opportunities for the public to engage, but it’s no surprise that at the eleventh hour, when things get real and there’s a lot at stake (and a project is not widely familiar), people start paying closer attention. And while it’s also clear that the county is eager to get moving after all these years, the scope of the project and its long-term effects on Eastsound’s identity merit a final, comprehensive round of citizen input.
Acknowledging this reality, the EPRC and the County are considering various feedback strategies, from a Prune Alley walk-through to a community survey to a facilitated in-person process of prioritizing options. In the meantime, the County has posted links to a slide show that EPRC member Charles Toxey presented at last week’s meeting and a hand-drawn light fixture comparison.
The EPRC’s regular monthly meeting takes place tomorrow (Thursday, July 2) from 3 –5pm via Zoom. Here are the instructions:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6061688505
Call-in #: 253.215.8782
Meeting ID: 606 168 8505
The project still appears to be on a fast track, so the time is now to add your voice to the conversation.
Public engagement was encouraged, but until last week’s meeting no actual photographs of proposed options were presented.
THAT is why you are getting a response NOW. THOSE options should have been presented earlier and with a far more definite idea of how they might integrate into a Prune Alley that invited local pedestrians and enhanced existing businesses.
“Haste makes waste” is a valuable good old adage for a reason.
Excellent comment, Milly
There is already enough ambient lighting downtown, why do we need more? Who are we putting the lighting in for if the people living downtown don’t want it?
I can understand creating more accessibility with sidewalks, but more lighting for such a short distance isn’t necessary. And since just about everyone has a cell phone with the option of a flashlight on it, if they need more lighting, they have it.
Someone also made the comment about putting in speed bumps to keep people from speeding. This seems like a better solution to slow drivers down instead of lighting.
As a former Orcas resident (2000-2010) one of the things I miss the most is being able to see the stars at night. You don’t know what you’ve lost until it’s gone. (Joni Mitchell)
Low lights to illuminate the footpath would mitigate unnecessary light pollution. Please don’t gentrify this precious village.
Thank you!
link didn’t work. anyone have the right link?
Sadie, they appear to all work from my end.
Being an outsider (Doe Bay) I had been under the now false impression that the plan was to do low lighting, sending the light downward. Boy oh boy guess I was wrong! I think having light stanchions with lights high up like some sort of quasi Victorian village would just be GROSS. I lived near Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, for some time, with its trolley tracks and quaint stone and brick buildings and shop fronts and fake gaslights that did in fact fit with the look of Germantown Avenue. We don’t need that in Eastsound. Please.
The primary stakeholders affected by this project are the property and business owners on Prune Alley. EPRC and the County Council will and should consider their preferences and needs first when they make any decisions about the lighting.
Dan, I believe all taxpayers are footing the bill for this and therefore are entitled to weigh both necessity and merits of the plan.
Please read the previous posts on pedestrian safety etc.as documented by the Sheriff’s office.
There are no”primary stakeholders”. We ALL have a vested interest in our townscape and not letting a unique seaside village morph into something we never committed to.
Dan, I agree with Milly–there are no “primary stakeholders” other than the people of Orcas. This is the first time that anything close to a FINAL plan has emerged for citizen review, after years and years of discussion. I hope that we can maintain the rural character of the village while addressing the need for sidewalks and some lighting.