The process to change the zoning at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds in Langley is not moving as quickly as Port of South Whidbey officials had hoped.

During a Langley City Council meeting this week, Port Commissioner Greg Easton expressed concern about the slow pace of consideration of the port’s application. The port has proposed a workforce housing concept on top of newly constructed concession stands on the fairgrounds, which it owns.

Since housing is currently not an allowed use in the identified area, the port appealed to the Langley City Council for a change in the city’s zoning code in September 2022. They agreed to move forward with the change.

ARPA funds from Island County are contingent upon the zoning change happening. County commissioners have been clear in the past that the city of Langley must make a commitment in order for the port to receive the funding for the housing project.

Though the council agreed to make that commitment seven months ago, not much has happened since then. At Monday night’s meeting, Easton asked for the zoning change to be included on a city work plan, which would give the county the assurance it needs that the project is proceeding.

Wary of a conflict of interest, Councilmember Rhonda Salerno wondered if Easton, who is also the chairperson for the city’s citizen-led Planning Advisory Board, should be representing the port on this matter. She suggested that someone else from the port should handle the discussion if he plans to stay on as the chairperson of the citizen board.

Easton responded that he plans to recuse himself from any Planning Advisory Board deliberations on questions related to the port’s applications.

Meredith Penny, Langley’s planning director, reminded the council that they directed the staff to move forward with signing a contract with Brigid Reynolds of Compass Rose Planning Services to process the zoning application. She reported that Reynolds, who also happens to be the city’s former planning director, has been working through some tax issues in regards to her being located in Canada while doing projects that are based in the U.S.

“One thing that council could consider is that I could process this application myself, but it would mean that other things would need to get reshuffled around and reprioritized on my plate,” Penny said.

Her current top priorities include the city’s housing action plan and ordinances relating to critical areas and unpermitted tree removal.

Langley Finance Director Wanda Grone said she needed to get back to Reynolds about the issue but hasn’t had the time. When asked, she said she was unsure if she would be able to address the issue within a week.

Councilmember Thomas Gill suggested that the city affirm the fairgrounds zoning change can be made at the end of the timeline of current operations that Penny is working on. He proposed a start date of July 1. Penny agreed and said she expects to have more time starting this summer. If the issues are resolved with the consultant before then, it can move ahead even earlier.

“I’d hate for the port to lose out on this opportunity,” Gill said.

Easton said that sounded satisfactory.

A concept drawing of the proposed new fairgrounds concession stands shows the view from the south courtyard.