— by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter —
With time for one final question before the District 2 primary and the arrival of two significant projects that will change the nature and experience of “downtown” – and perhaps set the stage for development to come – we focus on the future look and feel of Eastsound.
The redevelopment of Prune Alley is one of those two projects. It has been drawing much attention of late as county urgency to sign off on the $4.5 million dollar plan precipitated an avalanche of articles and comments. Unfortunately, the pandemic has altered the normal public comment process and left citizens and the EPRC to rely on virtual discussions and presentations – not ideal with so much at stake. The EPRC was also forced to pull the plug on a street-level walk through because of pandemic restrictions on group size. Going forward, it encourages the public to review the conceptual design and lighting options and send comments by July 28 (eastsoundplanningreview@gmail.com). There will also be public comment by Zoom at a special EPRC meeting on Thursday July 30.
The other project is a recent application to develop an 8,000 sq. ft., mixed-used office and 8+ unit boutique hotel on the site of the current Sounder building next to Pawki’s for Pets and across from the Episcopal Church. Early reactions have generally been fiercely negative, though the project is within the mandate of the Growth Management Act (GMA) to channel growth into existing activity centers.
_________________________
For more information on proposed The Village Inn at Eastsound, see the following:
- A copy of the permit (which includes a preliminary rendering of the building)
- A copy of the “request for review” (dated July 15)
- The county parcel website link
- And, if you have a Facebook account, the lengthy and spirited discussion on “Orcas Island Rant and Rave”
_________________________
The deadline for public comment on the SEPA review (State Environmental Policy Act) is July 29. That review will address parking, water and sewage capacity, shoreline and wetland impacts, and the effects of excavation on indigenous midden, among other issues. The comment period on the overall application ends on August 14. All comments should be sent to Colin Maycock (Colinm@sanjuanco.com); those having to do with SEPA should put “SEPA Determination” in the subject line. Comments can also be directed to the EPRC via eastsoundplanningreview@gmail.com.
With the recent additions of luxury, beach-side units across from the Outlook Inn – and assuming that Eastsound Square (owned by Oprah Winfrey’s development company) may be next in line for a makeover – questions are being raised as to what kind of place Eastsound is becoming. How much development, and of what kind, is appropriate? What does the community want and need? What is being gained, what is being lost?
With all of this in mind, Orcas Issues has again reached out to the candidates running for County Council in District 2 for comment (and with apologies for our ongoing – and necessarily flexible – 300-word limit). Several efforts were made to contact Mindy Kayl, a latecomer to the race. We still welcome her comments . . . [EDITOR’S NOTE: Mindy Kayl has commented, below]
_________________________
Question:
Over the last year, there has been much discussion on the changing character of Orcas Island in general and Eastsound in particular. For example:
- the Port of Orcas master plan
- the development along Haven Road
- new luxury rental units across from the Outlook Inn
Most recently, a major redevelopment of Prune Alley is now likely, and there’s a new application to site a three-story, 8,000-sq. foot, mixed-use “inn” on Main St. across from the Episcopal Church with a projected 8+ transient luxury rental units and no clear provisions for extra parking.
Do you feel that this pattern of accelerating development represents natural growth and a needed boost to the island’s economy, or does it threaten the rural character and low-key pace that has, over the years, drawn residents to Orcas Island as a special place to live?
As a council member representing Orcas Island, to what extent would you support or disagree with the upscaling of Eastsound, and would you advocate for a different plan/vision?
_________________________
Rick Hughes
There was little to no development from 2008 – 2013 due to the recession. If you look at development patterns over time, Eastsound is about the same. There has been limited development over the last 20 years, and the recession made any development impossible. Most of the buildings are 30+ years old (and most are 40+), so a natural cycle will be to replace aged buildings with new structures.
After the economy changed, people invested in property to either build new structures or improve the existing buildings. Most of the new development has been housing – some for short term and some for long term. It’s change, and change can be hard. I don’t want to hurt the rural character, but what rural character represents may mean many different things to different people. The GMA encourages development to occur in the UGA (Urban Growth Area) instead of sprawling out into more rural areas, so the county planned for more development in Eastsound. I don’t know if it’s a boost to the island economy; I think it’s just change. I don’t mind the fact that people can live in Eastsound or stay in Eastsound. And if there is going to be development, from at least an environmental perspective, there is more infrastructure available in Eastsound for water, sewer, power, and internet access.
I’m neutral on the process. The GMA requires the county to plan for development and to centralize most activity on Orcas in Eastsound. I don’t like some parts of the GMA and have worked and will work in Olympia for more local control of how San Juan County plans for our UGAs. “Upscaling” Eastsound? I’m not really sure what that means. Property owners have decided to invest in their property and that is their right within the boundary of the Eastsound Subarea Plan. I am not an advocate for supporting, nor do I disagree. It’s the current code.
I think it’s important to have a vibrant, year-round community in Eastsound that provides for affordable housing and access to goods and service that the community wants and needs. If people want to eliminate or reduce development in the Eastsound UGA, then we should have that discussion.
_________________________
Cindy Wolf
Eastsound is a laid-back seaside village. Isn’t that what makes it so pleasant to be here and what brings the visitors? It feels as if much of the recent development and proposed development we’re seeing threatens our rural character and relaxed pace. I don’t think we have to look like Kirkland, WA, in order to have an economy that works for us all.
Wouldn’t our lives be better if town planning was consistent with the green, bicycle-friendly, walking village we have the potential to become? Why not improve things so that pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs have better, safer access? During the summer, could we turn the core of the village into a no-car zone, making space for sidewalk cafes and stalls for local producers to sell their goods? Instead of spending $4,500,000 on one street, could we instead use some of those funds to smooth out the sidewalks we already have?
Orcas already has plenty of tourist accommodations at a good variety of price points, but we struggle to provide year-round housing for our teachers and EMTs. I see misplaced priorities. It is long past time to start thinking about our village as a great place to live as well as a great place to visit.
_________________________
Michael Durland
I think it is time to take a step back and think about what development we want and how to regulate it with some teeth. Eastsound Village has a prohibition on flat roofs except for residential structures, and we have two commercial developments with flat roofs. One has interesting design features and blends in and the other stands out like a sore thumb. How do we make the regulations apply and yet have respect for a charming design?
The current Council changed the shoreline regulations to allow for over-the-water luxury rentals and allowed other development in the shoreline. The new proposed three-story structure on Main Street is once again excessive development not in keeping with our village and the village that tourists have come to know and love. If we allow one three-story structure, what other older structures will be renovated? The original Templin’s Market comes to mind. Who wants to see a three-story structure on that corner with boutiques below and luxury rooms three stories tall?
We cannot stop tourism and development, but we can steer the flow toward keeping Eastsound and Orcas Island manageable and relatable. How many times have you traveled to a tourist destination and were told by a local, “You should have been here ten or twenty years ago. It was heaven.” According to the recent survey of locals and tourists, both groups enjoy the same scenic byways, environmental awareness, small town attitudes, and amenities we have now. We’ve been talking for years about how to develop so we don’t end up like Martha’s Vineyard or Aspen. This election is the time to change the focus of the Council towards local jobs, low-cost housing, and a sustainable economy, and to stop focusing on how many more tourists we can accommodate.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
The Growth Management Act (GMA) does state that development should be concentrated in the Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), but as for actual development, it requires we plan to accommodate new PERMANENT residents (i.e. housing), not vacationers.
What little capacity we have for further sustainable development (if we have any at all–are we still trucking in millions of gallons of water during the summers?) should be reserved to provide for the needs of, again, the permanent residents of Orcas, human and otherwise.
Further, my reading of Eastsound building codes is that there is a very hard limit of 35 feet as the maximum height of structures within Eastsound village; or does that not apply to this 3-story building??
Excuse me for living, but where is this three story structure–or any similar structure– to be located? Just when I thought the Prune Alley project was bad, I now learn that a mega structure is being proposed for Eastsound. Who benefits from the destruction of our village? Not the current resident.
Having looked at the plans and aesthetic design of this project I am totally opposed to it. We need to have a serious public discussion about the future look we want of Eastsound before developers have their way. We need to take the time now before Eastsound completely loses its original charmingly humble rural village character and becomes just another version of mainland modern commercial development. This proposed building would look more appropriate in upscale downtown Palo Alto.
Your sincerely
Lesley Liddle
Eadtsound wa.
I am so glad Matthew has brought attention to the new Windmere project. I became aware of this project a day ago and have been working on gathering the information to make public. For those wondering it is located on Main street, where Windmere is (This is Eastsound View Investors/Windmere project). The parking garage is about 5000 sqft underground, which is the “First-level”, then two stories up from the ground.
Per the application:
Redevelopment of existing property at 217 Main St. in Eastsound. Existing +/- 2,550 SF office building to be replaced with mixed use (real estate office on first floor and boutique hotel on second). Parking to be underground as shown on attached plans. First floor to be 4,209 SF of office space, second floor is proposed 4,579 SF (8-room boutique hotel).
Continued:
I oppose this whole project but my main opposition is that we are allowing the extraction on the Lummi Nation’s burial grounds for a parking garage. This should anger everyone. Eastsound View Investors are trying to push this project through as fast and as quiet as possible. We need to be allies for the Lummi Nation and their ancestors. We have already been in the wrong to build on top of their burial grounds, but we can at least not do more harm. If this was where our ancestors were buried, we would be shouting in opposition.
This is a prime example of how a majority of the current developers on Orcas Island have no values. It also shows the lack of creative development that the Eastsound View Investors are putting forth for our downtown and makes no ecological sense for the island. The proposed hotel and parking garage adds nothing to our community and in the long run and will aide in the destruction of what is left of our culture. It’s only for the wealthy investors being able to capitalize even more on tourism at the expense of the island’s future. We have forgotten how to understand and live in “right relationship” to our places, and we are allowing the wealthy investors to poorly design our home.
Mindy Kayl – Here, I can be reached at ElectMindyKayl@gmail.com.More of my platform can be found at http://www.mindykayl.com. My email was interrupted when I launched my website, I am sorry if you have reached out and I have not responded, please try again.
I think the acceleration of development in Eastsound represents a small percentage of our community. The noise pollution, light pollution and traffic of the recent growth boom has decreased the quality of life for most islanders. Our community, at least the waterfront property owners, made jet skies illegal, decades ago. Throughout the county voters adopted the Land Bank, in recognition of the need to preserve our open space.
Give me the chance to advocate for you – Write In Mindy Kayl, Dis. 2
The decision that we have to make as a collective is – Do we want our islands to be a community or a commodity? If both, how do we fairly and equitably accomplish that goal?
“Eastsound View Investors, LLC”
Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?
I would like to ask the developers and those who are proposing this project how they are enhancing the lives of people living on Orcas Island with this project?
How are they respecting everyone within the community and those whose land this originally was?
Are they in stewardship to all of nature and the beings, human, plant, animals by moving forward with such project?
How are they benefiting all of the orcas Island community and it’s natural environment with this project?
We are at a critical point in our community; for too long we have catered to the demands of tourism. In small and rural communities, it is not an uncommon narrative that we rely on the tourism industry to keep our local economy afloat, and while currently this is true; I would urge you to think outside of that narrative. Imagine a community that caters to the needs of the locals, a community that does not shut down in the winter due to a lack of visitation, a community that rejects gentrification and supports a healthy, sustainable economy. And yes, this building is just another building, but what it represents is a much greater issue. We cannot slap together a new boutique and call our economy fixed. We need to look into the deeper issues in our community and address them; we need to focus our attention on building and supporting ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES in our community. And lastly, we are on Lummi land; if anyone deserves our attention, our welcome, its them.
We should require any future development be in keeping with our natural environment. Let’s blend and age well with nature, lean into Earth tones and natural finishes with a Village theme and utilize less paint please(no white).This structure needs another siding at least and far more landscaping/screening. Though it is isn’t as large as the other inns a stones throw down the lane…
(https://orcasissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/VILLAGE-INN_PERMIT-SET.pdf)
Thank you, Matthew Gilbert for this fantastic reporting! For me, based on these and other responses and dealings, it’s down to Mindy or Michael this primary. Please VOTE – even if you never vote! This local primary election matters – we matter – our actions matter. And we have to continue to act in a sustained manner that holds our elected representatives accountable. Without constant vigilance by many, the pillage-for-profit will keep happening.
As Keara Axelrod stated so well, the GMA gives a lot of leeway to counties. Our county’s representatives continue to fail us and ignore our concerns. I encourage all people against this permit to contact Dept.of Ecology, environmental organizations such as Sierra Club, Friends, MRC, the Tribes, -IE – Go over the County’s heads. Get word out far and wide. Time is short! I’ll say it again: Tourism as our sole industry will destroy all that we, and they, love. We must work collectively to have this permit denied and to cap unlimited growth!
Also, any comment you send Colin Maycock on the SEPA determination, be sure to copy council@sanjuanco.com and ask Ingrid Gabriel to keep your comment on the record in perpetuity. That will mean they have to keep it for 7 years; could be handy for Legal Standing.
Thank you, Matthew Gilbert for, as usual, asking the right questions at the right time. Commenters here are easily diverted by the question of the proposed 217 Main Street project, which will be evaluated under the current zoning regulations, which leave little room for discretion. The real question Matthew asks is for contenders for the future District 2 Council seat: what is your vision for Eastsound, and, more importantly, how do you propose to achieve it via changes to the subarea plan and zoning regulations? (continued…)
I see no specifics in the responses; so, Candidates, here are some more specific questions: What kind of development is appropriate for Eastsound? What do you see as the ideal density of Eastsound in terms of units per acre? What is the best balance between commercial and residential uses and how would you achieve that balance? What about single-family versus multi-family residential? Should rental units favor year-round housing for islanders or transient accommodations, and would one of those uses be better located outside of the Village?How should Eastsound be developed to accommodate tourism while reducing our dependence on the tourist economy? What specific changes would you make to the vacation rental regulations, and when?
My vote depends on the candidates’ best responses; but I’d encourage everyone to answer these questions for themselves. What is your vision for Eastsound, and how realistic is it?
Mindy Kayl has commented below.
This will not happen! I actually have a deep heartache for those who put hours of their time, energy, and dollars into something so short sided, unsustainable, and disruptive of sacred land. Many who probably aren’t even year-round residents. Investors, builders, architects, contractors-can you come out of your dollar induced slumber for even a second to see what you are really doing?????
Reviewing the EPA report their answers to environmental questions were very short sided. There is obvious avoidance and circumvention of the truth here to put forth a project that has very little benefit to any one but the 1% of visitors who could afford to stay here and be disruptive before and after for those who do. Last time I checked we are not in need of any more short term luxury accommodation? There are over 300 airbnbs and this doesn’t take it account to account hotels etc.
What if you put these 4 million dollars into expanding the food coop? This benefits locals and tourists.
I am strongly opposed to the proposed plans to construct a three story building to be used as underground parking, boutique lodging and additional retail space. The underground parking would mean the decimation of Indigenous burial lands, something incredibly disgraceful and disrespectful. Imagine your loved ones being dug up and cast aside only to have a capitalistic tourist attraction built on that same land? If more parking is needed for Eastsound, perhaps we can somehow utilize the already existing parking space across from ACE hardware without digging into our Earth and dishonoring those who came before us. How would Indigenous peoples benefit from this proposed building? How would the local islanders benefit from this proposed building? Would profits be circulated directly back into Indigenous support organizations and/or the local community?
As far as the revamping of our village sidewalks and intersections…why?? Do we want our community to be a mirror image of what we see off island in say, Ferndale or Kirkland? I know I don’t. I love our village because it DOESN’T look like every other cookie cutter town/city off island. The theme song from Weeds is playing on loop in my head right now….”little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same”.
I agree with what Cindy said above regarding (basically everything she said) using some of the funds for repairing/smoothing out the already existing walk ways. I also agree that there is already PLENTY of tourist lodging on the island. What we need is more affordable housing for locals and systems in place to support those of us who live here year round and work our asses off to do so.
The problem IS that each one of these huge-scale developments sets precedent for more of them. There’s no going back, though we’re told that laws can be changed. Yeah – weakened. Then, any permit can pass as ‘consistent’ with watered-down, toothless CAO, Comp Plan, and Subarea Plan regulations. Stalling happens if stronger Tribal or environmental protections are mandated, or studies disprove the rationale for unlimited growth and more vacation rentals. The solution to projects that are inconsistent with regulations should NOT be to further weaken the regulations to allow them!
So Orcas candidates: please answer all of the great questions posed, because how you answer them matters greatly. Anyone can promise the moon during campaigns – and they do.
Sharon Kivisto is the only SJI candidate who has openly called out this unsustainable direction we’re still going – and she would know; having shown up and consistently and reported on things for decades.
SEPA comments due today by 4:30.
When do we protest the madness of making Orcas “great again” ?
The current economy here doesn’t call for more empty offices and “luxury hotels!”
Keep the good vibe, slower pace town that tourists can take a breather from hectic lives in while visiting.
And, keep a two story look! More stories, less light and we need all the light we can get in town to keep from being over-shadowed by greedy developers.