I suspect most homeowners residing within the boundaries of Ebey’s Reserve are unaware of current plans under way. The Coupeville Town Planning Commission has invited the Island County Planning Commission to form a “Joint Planning Commission,” in order to further regulate throughout the Reserve.

As a resident therein, I am all for protecting the integrity of “open spaces” and the “historical structures” of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve; but my home and property are neither.

We homeowners are already regulated by existing building codes and standards of Island County and the Reserve, which are ambitious enough. The new “Ebey’s Reserve Design Guidelines and Unified Code” being proposed, is extensive and will further regulate the lives of all those who live in the Reserve, regardless of whether your home is deemed historic or your property deemed scenic, or not.

Implications for property owners anywhere within Ebey’s Reserve are significant. (Some residents may not even know where the Reserve’s irregular boundaries are located.) Several public meetings with the two Planning Commissions have already taken place, in order to allow community input. The next meeting of the Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing is Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

ou may call the Island County Planning & Community Development office, in order to inquire about any future (and possibly final) open meetings with the planning commissions, before final decisions are made. Your awareness and your input are both timely and important!

Sally Larson-Foster

Ebey’s Reserve resident