Port of Orcas commissioners discussed land purchases, stipends and hangar leases at their July 10 meeting.
Mindy Kayl, Chair of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee, approached the Port Commissioners – Al Edwards, Garth Eimers, Steve Hopkins, Ulanah McCoy and Brett Thurman – about joining forces to protect the “Lantec” property. This property is located on the northwest boundary of the Port’s airstrip, and is for sale, at about $3.5 million. A large portion of it is wetlands. Kayl, a wetland consultant said that it is essential to manage the property correctly.
As county law provides that there be no net loss of wetlands in urban growth areas, the County will want to preserve areas such as the Lantec property to offset areas where development can’t be avoided, Kayl said. The developers could buy the land and use it to offset wetlands development elsewhere in the UGA – a concept called “mitigation banking.”
Eimers said the problem was financing $3.5 million for 43 acres, of which 15 acres was usable. Also, Eimers commented that there was a 30 percent difference a year ago between the Port’s appraisal of the property and that of Lantec owners.
The Port gets money from the Federal Aviation Administration for purchase of property that supports aviation, Eimers said, and suggested that, down the line, the land may protect air space from development.
Kayl’s suggestion that the EPRC and Port stay in contact about the property met with “violent agreement,” in Eimer’s words. “We’re interested in the property, that’s about all we can say.”
Commissioner Thurman agreed to look into the matter with Kayl.
Eimers added that the property is already a conduit for much of the Port’s stormwater drainage, and “There is no stormwater plan currently, nor in the short term is there much chance of one: it all goes back to the money.”
The Commissioners agreed to ask for a formal bid to track blasting the helipad. They had received an estimate for $21,500, down from a previous estimate, for a more elaborate work, of $40,000. The commissioners discussed deferring the maintenance, but ultimately decided against it.
The Commissioners tabled the suggestion that they accept an increased stipend, as passed by the legislature this year. Hopkins suggested accepting the stipend, and passing on the increase to the Mercy Pilots, to offset their rising fuel costs.
McCoy said that she felt uncomfortable accepting the increase, as “the taxpayers have to pay for it.”
The Port waived its right of first refusal to purchase a hangar owned by Larry McNair, on the east side of the airstrip.
Port Manager Bea von Tobel noted that, with rising fuel costs, airport traffic was decreasing. Currently, the Port has eight permanent tie-downs.
However, the camping area has 21 tie-down spaces, and this summer many air travelers are taking advantage of the $6 charged to camp at the Port. It’s proximity to town and low rate are great perks to those who have invested $100,000 in a plane, von Tobel said.
The first weekend in August, the Port and the Experimental Aviators Association, are combining forces to celebrate at the annual Fly-In. The Port began 50 years ago, and the Fly-In’s first event was 25 years ago.
