To the editor:

Expediency and compromise do not constitute a “master plan” (Port of South Whidbey Phase One Marina Proposal).

The Port of South Whidbey staff participated in a year long Wharf Street uplands planning process with city staff, property owners and other stakeholders that resulted in a consensus zoning overlay that was approved and adopted by the city council. Following that approval, even in the face of site design studies using port adopted technical standards (Bush Point and basic engineering criteria) port commissioners obstructed the implementation of that plan; resulting in the loss of an opportunity to increase people space on the waterfront with an interior new access road for boat trailers, reverting to the mule and wagon path of the early 1900s. Wow!

And now the Port of South Whidbey desires the blessing of the city of Langley for, in my opinion, a costly and dysfunctional marina “master plan” that requires complete deconstruction of phase one should a second phase become possible. So much for public process and best practices. Most citizens of South Whidbey want an expanded marina facility sooner rather than later; one that is incorporated into additional phases with sound planning not stumbling-forward expediency. What can be done now? The city informs the port of the two points of entry to port property of the new Wharf Street loop circulation plan. Period. No discussion; and then the city can give its blessing to the port’s “plan.”

RON KASPRISIN

Langley