09/12/2007: "Response to Sturdivant Letter"

( The Sturdivant letter follow this letter)

To the Editor:

My 12-year-old son and I make our home on Sunday Drive; a property that abuts the Buck family property. I also own my own marketing consulting business and busily work from my home during the work week. I love this neighborhood - enough so to own two properties in it - and I am seriously concerned about the efforts underway to annex the Buck property to the Town of Friday Harbor and build a high-density urban area on said.

I have specific concerns on two areas: 1) the current Town proposal for the Zoning and Location of Road/Trail access to Island Rec Property; and, 2) traffic impact of this development to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Proposed Zoning: Per the attached map, the plan includes developing multi-family housing right next to my property and others in the Islanders Phase 1 development. I respectfully request that you reject this proposal. I respectfully request you consider an alternative plan that includes a natural 'beltway' or 'nature easement' between the existing and proposed new construction.

Also attached is a map of an alternate plan that includes using the property line to build a park or a 'beltway' of sorts between the Islanders Phase 1 property and the proposed new construction. Not only will this proposal work to preserve the privacy, territorial and water views, feeling of sanctuary and safety and privacy of the current Islanders Phase 1 residents, it will also serve to offer a feeling of privacy, nature and sanctuary to the new families who will be occupying this proposed new construction. Additionally, island wildlife make their homes in this area and we often see many types of birds, raccoon, fox and deer meandering through our property and the surrounding neighborhood. Ensuring a degree of natural habitat remains will preserve some of this existing wildlife ecosystem.

Building new construction that has the most negative impact on the existing homes is quite simply wrong when equally-profitable-yet-less-impactful alternatives exist. I would hope that an alternative would be developed, considered and ultimately chosen because it would have the least negative impact on those existing homes, families and wildlife. I cannot stress enough that this is my family's HOME as well as my place of business; I urge you as fellow members and property owners of our community to assist in this matter.

Neighborhood Traffic Impact: I understand that Grover Street will open to accommodate traffic in to and out of this new development. At this time, Grover Street, Sunday Drive and Hunt Street are quiet, peaceful streets that accommodate the families and numerous children that live, play and thrive in these neighborhoods. With the potential of literally hundreds of additional vehicles and drivers added to this traffic, I fear for the safety of our neighborhood children and those attending the Friday Harbor Elementary School. Are alternate access roads being considered and created? And while I am not familiar with all the roads surrounding the Buck property, I urge you to consider arterial traffic options that drive traffic to existing main roads and away from the afore-mentioned streets, neighborhoods and the Elementary school.

I cannot dictate the use of this specific Buck Family Property and truly wish the project much success. I love living in this community and welcome others who wish to do the same. I respectfully request that every effort be made to preserve the home life of current and future Islanders Phase 1 and Buck Property residents. Approving zoning/building plans that preserve the privacy and natural surroundings of existing and soon-to-be residents and planning for the increased traffic in ways that keep our streets safe is my plea to you.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I welcome questions, comments and/or feedback; and would encourage the opportunity to speak with you in person or by phone about my concerns.

Respectfully Yours,

Charlyn and Kaleb Warner
Friday Harbor
Residents, Home Owners, Business Owners
and Active Community Members