The Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, Oak Harbor Garden Club and Whidbey Environmental Action Network have jointly called upon the community to voice concerns over a potential change to a city ordinance that would allow it to sell, donate or otherwise dispose of park land without a vote of the people.
The current code, section 1.30.010, was amended in 1997 to require a vote, which stopped the city from moving forward with plans to allow a developer to build a hotel on Flintstone Park on Bayshore Drive.
The code states that no citizen approval is needed if some portion of a developed park property is required to accomplish a “necessary public purpose including, but not limited to, water, sewer or roadway improvements.”
At a council meeting last month, Senior Planner Ray Lindenburg suggested city-wide economic development is a necessary public purpose, despite much disagreement from members in attendance.
A press release from the Whidbey Environmental Action Network, or WEAN, proposes redlining the removal of the public election process from the city code.
According to WEAN, parks protect against climate change, contribute to healthy ecosystems and benefit residents’ well-being. Further, Oak Harbor will assume the greatest number of people on Whidbey Island over the next 20 years, and the release urges residents to defend the limited green space.
Last month, after many public comments, the council tabled the discussion until more options were presented.
According to Councilmember Bryan Stucky, the call for more is working.
“I’ve probably gotten more emails on this than any other issue,” he said.
That said, some of the input so far indicates a misunderstanding of the issue that will be cleared up by a parks and recreation advisory commission presentation on July 9, he said. For example, parks already cannot be sold if grants were used or if the land donated was asked to stay a park.
The City of Oak Harbor has appreciated the community’s involvement with the proposed change, Ordinance 1999, said Magi Aguilar, the city’s communications officer.
Staff will bring alternative options to update the ordinance at the July 9 public hearing, where members of the parks and recreation advisory commission will present. At the July 24 council workshop, staff will provide follow-up information and respond to council questions. At the Aug. 13 council meeting, the conversation will continue.
While local groups are urging the community to show up to City Hall on July 9 at 6 p.m., those interested can also submit a comment to the city clerk at jlindsey@oakharbor.org or 360-279-4571 or through the city website at oakharbor.gov/467/public-comment-form-for-council-advisory.
