The first in a series of workshops about the future of Eastsound was held at the Orcas Senior Center on Thursday, Oct. 14.
More than 60 people gathered to discuss what may become of the village. Also in attendance were members of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee, Councilman Rick Hughes, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lance Evans and Director of Community Development for San Juan County Erika Shook.
“These are just ideas,” said EPRC Chairman Greg Ayers. “They’re just things to start people thinking.”
Over the past nine months, community members united with the EPRC to tackle the vision for the future of Eastsound. The group, which was led by James Jonassen, compiled a 200-page report, entitled “Seeking a Vision for Eastsound: An invitation to engage,” which was submitted to the EPRC for review in May and has been available to the public since June at https://goo.gl/5LCCnu and in the library. The report provided broad suggestions for what Eastsound should look like in 20 years. The purpose of the Thursday night meeting was to narrow that scope down.
“We think the image of the village is the center of the vision,” said Jonassen, noting that half the growth of the island needs to occur in the urban growth area. “It’s a fraction of a whole. It’s the highest density part of the island.”
Jonassen pointed out the need to solve the lack of workforce housing. He added that the island is expected to see a significant increase in population over time and that any changes are subject to regulatory influence.
“Vision is very ethereal, but it is an essential guide,” said Jonassen. “It is very essential and I hope we can get a workgroup to focus on it.”
Jonassen went on to provide details on key points of interest for the community, including parking. He said that 400 to 900 additional cars are to be expected over the next two decades. Options for mitigating the parking problems in town include rerouting traffic around the village core.
He also mentioned the importance of wildlife and land preserves, building the village’s character, treating stormwater runoff and the prospect of needing to close Crescent Beach Road due to sea level rising.
“It will only work if we have a strong vision to go on,” said Jonassen. “There are some very great opportunities here.”
The next workshop will narrow the suggestions even more. To garner input from community members of all ages, another meeting will be held from 6–8 p.m. at the Fire Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The purpose is to unite people to have an intergenerational discussion on the visioning of Eastsound.
“We’re stewards at a very special place,” said Jonassen. “It’s pretty open-ended.”
