A “win-win situation” is how Langley’s Kristin Petosa this week described the recent purchase of a log house at the intersection of Newman and Scott roads in Freeland.

Petosa and her husband, Jack, bought the property, known as Log House Acres, from Debora and Steve Shapiro late last month, ending months of uncertainty over what would happen to it. Originally eyed by the Friends of Freeland when they negotiated a real estate deal with former owner Chris Kelly, the property was one of several lots purchased by the Friends, the Shapiros and Robert and Janis Adamson. The Shapiros and the Adamsons are members of Friends of Freeland.

In making the deal, the Friends were trying to preserve wetlands between Newman and Scott roads. The wetlands and the log cabin on the property are zoned Rural Center, which can be commercially developed.

The April 25 sale to the Petosas, which was for an unspecified amount, was good news to the Friends. According to Friends president Peggy Juve, the Friends said the Petosas have made donations to Friends.

“This is wonderful for Friends of Freeland,” she said. “From the purchase price we are able to buy the buffer required on the wetland, repay loans and begin some enhancement projects on Main Street in Freeland.”

In spite of fund-raising efforts over the past year, the Friends were unable to come up with the money to purchase the log house property.

In September, the Friends and Steve and Debora Shapiro and Robert and Janis Adamson bought the acreage and the house from Chris Kelly for $635,000. The Friends had already purchased 12 acres of wetlands from Kelly, while the Sharpiros and Adamsons own separate lots totaling about six acres. The group agreed to buy the lots back from the Shapiros and Adamsons when it raised enough money. They were unable to do so.

The Petosas contacted the Shapiros and negotiated the deal for the log house.

The couple cites Bayview Corner as an example of low impact development.

“We have the same goals as Friends to develop in a way that is compatible with the rest of their land,” Kristin Petosa said.

The couple, with the assistance of counselors Precious and Liam Atchison have plans to use the log house as a retreat center for men, women, couples and families with children of special needs.

“This will be for people of all faiths to meet in safety and hope, and grow closer to God,” said Petosa.

They also plan a coffee house at the location and possibly a market cafe.