05/23/2007: "2 Day Presentation By Nantucket Planner Scheduled"

Councilman Alan Lichter announced on Tuesday that John Pagini (former director of the Nantucket Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission), will be coming to San Juan Island for two full days of meetings, panel discussions and dinners. Lichter had informed the council members in April that an Orcas resident was willing to bring Mr. Pagini to the islands for a day of meetings, if the Council felt it might be worthwhile to hear about his experiences as a planner in Nantucket.

The one day trip for an informal presentation and discussion has expanded a bit, with a formal full two day draft agenda that starts in the morning, and ends with invited guests to evening dinners. Both meetings will be held in Friday Harbor, with the first day meeting taking place at the Mullis Center, and the second day meeting to be held at the SJI High School Commons room.

While the agenda is subject to change, the tentative plans for the first day (June 20th) call for discussions on “Tourism, Environmental Protection, Managing Growth, Affordable Housing”. Lichter has asked Bill Wright (San Juan Safaris,), Stephanie Buffum (Friends of San Juans), Brent Snow (Roche Harbor Manager), and Sandy Wylie-Echeverria ( Friends & a marine scientist) to sit on the “Tourism & Environment” panel.

In the afternoon,” Mr. Pagini introduces “Smart Growth Principles”, discusses parallels between Nantucket and SJC:. There is a private dinner planned at the end of the day for Mr. Pagini and the staff from Community Development and Planning Department.

The second day (June 21st) proposal is for a second panel, made up of Ron Henrickson (CD&PD Director), Larry Soll (Developer and Affordable Housing Advocate), John Evans (12 yr SJC Commissioner & Builders Assoc Officer), Lynn bahrych (Attorney & a Past Friends of SJ officer).

Their topic is scheduled to address “Affordable Housing, Growth”. After lunch, Pagini will present “How to use Smart Growth for San Juan County Issues”. That evening there will be another private dinner, this time with members of the County Council and the Planning Commission.