After three quarters of a year, the final draft of the FCS report on the economic effects of the new county road is almost ready. This draft will have minor typos and revisions still to correct, but it’s largely the content that will be presented to CERB and the Commissioners.

The report is extremely positive about the economic effects of the proposed county road, and we’re looking forward to the next steps!

Check it out, and leave us your comments!

Whidbey Airport Access Economic Study & Funding Options.

(If you’ve momentarily forgotten our email address, you can always leave a comment here.)

Little BIG Fest 2019 is coming! It’s just around the corner, from August 2-4.

Please join us for a weekend of amazing live music, arts, food, drinks, yoga, workshops, family fun and unforgettable memories!

More information.

As many of you know, we recently lost Jenny Kittle to her battle with cancer. She was looking forward to hosting a BBQ in her home on the 15th, so what better way to remember her than to continue the celebration that she created…

More information from Christian and RSVP.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the burn ban is coming early this year.

Check their Facebook page for more details, or see below:

OUTDOOR BURN BAN IN ISLAND COUNTY

TYPE I BURN BAN IN EFFECT AS OF 
12:00 PM, June 15, 2019

NO OUTDOOR BURNING OF NATURAL DEBRIS – EVEN WITH A PERMIT. RECREATIONAL FIRES ARE ALLOWED IN APPROVED FIRE PIT*

*The use of barbeque grills using propane or briquettes, or self-contained camp stoves are also allowed

PROCLAMATION and PUBLIC NOTICE

WHEREAS, by June 15, 2019, atmospheric conditions of reduced moisture levels, low humidity, and warmer weather have increased the risk of fire within the confines of Island County,

THEREFORE, in concurrence with the Fire Protection Districts of Whidbey and Camano Islands and the Northwest Clean Air Agency, I, Sheriff Rick Felici, serving as the Island County Fire Marshal, do hereby proclaim a BAN on ALL outdoor burning (except for recreational fires) within the entirety of Island County

REPORT VIOLATIONS TO 911

This Ban will remain in effect until further notice.

SHERIFF RICK FELICI Island County Fire Marshal

OUTDOOR BURNING INFORMATION
FOR ISLAND COUNTY CALL THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT: 360-679-7350 
FOR NORTHWEST CLEAN AIR AGENCY CALL 360-428-1617

Yesterday, representatives of FCS, the county, and the Middle Crawford Road Association met at the Porter Public House to discuss the funding options available to assist in building the proposed new county road.

The Island County Economic Development Study and Infrastructure Funding Options for Whidbey Airpark Access handout has a wealth of information about ways that the new road might be funded, including loans, grants, various improvement districts, public and private partnerships, and other options.

Our final meeting with FCS is scheduled for August. Watch this space for dates and times!

Please contact us with any questions or comments. We want your voice to be heard!

We’ve killed as much Scotch Broom along Crawford Road from 525 to the county road at the north end as we were able to. If you notice a patch or a broom we missed, this is the time to strike.

Be merciless. This is a 30 year battle!

In other news, members of the association and the Board met with Keith Lay , Island County’s new Engineering Manager, yesterday. He had a lot of good information to impart, and we’re excited to share some of the things we’ve learned. We also learned that Keith enjoys mountain biking, moved here from Colorado, and loves the idea of our proposed bike path.

Watch this space for an update soon about the Road Design Committee. We’ll be having a meeting to bring you up to speed on the options we’ve learned about and gather your input!

No, really.
We need to kill the Scotch Broom.
And right now is the best time!

We’ve begun to chop and pull the Scotch Broom along Crawford. We started at the intersection of 525 and Crawford and we’re working our way north.

And honestly? It’s quite satisfying!

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On April 18th we met with FCS and representatives from the county to discuss the status of the economic development plan for the Whidbey Airport Access Project (the new road). Present were Mary, Max, and JP. We had a great discussion and a ton of good information was presented.

First, FCS provided the February Meeting Notes for our review.

Second, FCS provided the Task 1 and Task 2 Findings. which includes a wealth of information about the growth of Puget Sound over the next few decades, including detailed statistics about the economics of Whidbey Island – where we work, what we work doing, which industries are under served, housing trends, and other awesome data. It’s worth a look, even if you aren’t interested in the Access Project, just to get a glimpse into the future.

From these statistics, and taking into account the available land and market segments, FCS has determined that from four to six full time jobs could be added annually to Whidbey by completion of the project (assuming existing septic limitations). The lead consultant on the project offered a considered opinion that this would probably qualify for grant approval.

Becky, from Island County Planning, has a follow up meeting scheduled for the community where we will be able to give input on zoning for our area – what’s working, what’s not working, and what we would like to see. She had several exciting ideas for us, including possibly incorporating a mixed use zoning that Freeland has adopted which allows for living / manufacturing / retail and teaching space to be permitted. She is very excited to get our input.

There’s a LOT of information to convey, and we’ll be setting up a meeting for those parties that are interested to discuss, before our next meeting with FCS in June.

Watch this space for a meeting announcement!

Our spring trash clean up and road design walkabout was a great success! A lot of ideas were exchanged, a lot of trash was picked up and disposed of, and a good time was had by all.

Since this work is ongoing – every little bit helps. If you happen to notice litter and can pick it up and dispose of it, that’s awesome! Thank you!!

We continue to research economical collection points as a more permanent solution, but just being out there on the road, and being seen to pick things up as a community matters!

Thanks again, everyone!