Friday Harbor Town Council August 21, 2025

Council member Hushebeck chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Jackson.

The San Juan County Home Trust Board President, and Executive Director and the Home Trust Argyle Project Manager all made public comments encouraging the Town Council to take decisive action on the draft development agreement between the Town and Home Trust for the Argyle Project.   One citizen emphasized the economic and social importance of affordable housing in the town. 

According to the Community Development Director’s memo, town staff had been unable to reach agreement with the San Juan Community Home Trust (Community Home Trust) on a development agreement (DA) for the San Juan County properties at Malcom and Argyle Avenue known as the Argyle Project.   Council members reviewed the draft development agreement and recommendations from town staff and the Home Trust.  Council acted on all seven unresolved items in the draft development agreement, accepting staff recommendations on some issues and Home Trust recommendations on others.   Taking account of public notice requirements, town staff will select a date for a public hearing as soon as possible.  The public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft development agreement at the public hearing.

Workers on the wastewater treatment plant project will have temporary housing set up on the construction site staging area at the corner of Tucker and Harbor Street.  After Street crews discovered remnants of bonfires there, the administrator decided to reopen Roman Court, a street blocked to vehicle traffic, to allow fire and law enforcement access.  Town will begin to use Zoom Webinar for remote participation in its public meetings.  This will provide easier access and be cheaper.

During a second public comment period Kari McVeigh speaking as an individual San Juan Council member applauded the Town Council for acting on the Argyle development agreement. The Home Trust Executive Director and Argyle Project manager expressed appreciation for the progress made, noting they still wanted changes to this agreement.

Steve Hushelbeck said that Leadership San Juan Islands is still accepting applications.

*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.