— 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.

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For more information on proposed The Village Inn at Eastsound, see the following:

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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]

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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