It’s almost a done deal. But a mailing glitch that occurred when the county gave out the wrong address for written comments has resulted in the council extending the date for written public comment on the purchase of the Orcas Landing (Jacobsen) property for $2.85 million dollars, below the appraised value of $3.4 million dollars.

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord advised the council to keep public testimony open for one more week in light of the fact that the wrong address had been published for written testimony, which led to concern that people might not know their letters had been returned by the hearing date. Lopezian Steve Ludwig, whose letter was returned, commented in an email, “If you don’t comment, in many cases you lose your right to appeal.”

When it was pointed out that Aug. 19 wouldn’t give the public enough time to be notified and attend a second meeting, Council Member Gene Knapp suggested that only written comment be allowed.

After County Public Works Director John Shannon presented the purchase of the property as an amendment to the 2008 Annual Road Plan, he said that the purchase was “important to provide infrastructure linkage between county roads, the marine highway and the ferry system,” as well a providing park space, moorage and access for outer islands, staging area for pedestrians, bicyclists and kayakers, and a staging area for law enforcement and water safety, and preserving “the opportunity with Washington State Ferries (WSF) for terminal capacity improvements.” Shannon brought out that the entire Council had to approve the purchase in order to comply with the legal requirements for an amendment to the County’s six-year road plan.

Council Member Rich Peterson stated his concerns about the implications of decreasing gas tax revenues, the southern exposure of the dock, and the real estate market not returning the asking price of the property.

Former County Commissioner John Evans testified that there was money in the road fund to acquire the property, that the opportunity was unlikely to come around again, that it presented a opportunity to work with the Port of Orcas in terms of capital and operational support, and that there is little public water access on Orcas Island. In addition, Evans said, “This will make a huge impact on ferry service in the future.”

After numerous people urged the Council to purchase the Landing, Council Member Kevin Ranker said that it would be discouraging for the people of Orcas Landing to wait another week, and perhaps have to go to Friday Harbor to hear the Council’s decision.

Council Chair Howie Rosenfeld asked the Council members if they would announce their voting intentions. Peterson said, “I had misgivings about the acquisition, but I’ve been persuaded to vote for it.”

Council Member Alan Lichter said that he and Jon Shannon had been in negotiations with WSF for the joint county/WSF purchase of the property in 2006, when the cost was $2.1 million. Lichter noted that the current owner had put one million dollars into improvements of the property, and said, “We can’t afford to pass this opportunity by; the County must acquire it, for bargaining power with the ferries, for traffic and water access and will give us a little gem of a waterfront park, and will turn the dock back into a public dock, rather than a private, ‘pay-as-you-go’ dock.”

While adding his approval, Council Member Bob Myhr commended Lichter and Shannon’s work in making sure the transaction would occur.

The Council will deliberate and finalize their decision, pending written commentary, at their next meeting.