Port examines draft comp plan

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2006

For the better part of a year, an eight-member community group has been developing a comprehensive plan for the Port of Coupeville.

That plan will outline future projects and make the port eligible to receive grants.

The public and the port commissioners examined a draft of the 50-page document during a special meeting Dec. 19 in the Whidbey General Hospital Board Room. The meeting took place after the Whidbey News-Times went to press.

For Coupeville, the major concern about any future marine project is to make sure work doesn’t harm the surrounding Penn Cove.

“The first thing to do is do no harm,” said Jim Patton, executive director for the Port of Coupeville.

In addition to providing solid stewardship for the environment, any future projects would also have to be consistent with the motif of Coupeville’s historic downtown.

Several practical projects could take place in the near future. Those projects include placing pavers on the gravel area near the entrance to the Coupeville Wharf, emphasizing marine science displays, and repairing the foundation of the port’s building on Front Street.

But that’s relatively minor stuff. Patton said that most of the future projects will help improve the port-owned Greenbank Farm.

“Frankly most of the resources are going down to the Greenbank Farm area,” Patton said.

For the Greenbank Farm, the major plans include placing a conservation easement on the non-commercial property to preserve it for all time, and to develop a master site plan.

Tuesday’s meeting gave the port commissioners their first chance to examine the document as a group. The port did not take public comment during the meeting. Rather, they will hold two public meetings early next year for comments.

The comprehensive plan comes from recommendations made by the community group, all of whom reside within the port district boundary. Former Greenbank Farm Executive Director Laura Blankenship edited the document.

Patton said there isn’t a solid deadline set yet for when the commissioners approve the comprehensive plan. However, he said he would like to have it ready by the end of March. That’s because many grant deadlines take place in the spring and the port needs the plan to meet eligibility requirements.