“Freeland meetsWhat: Open house, Freeland Subarea Planning Committee.Goal: Present land use maps and planning ideas to Freeland community.When: Thursday, March 25, 7 p.m.Where: Trinity Lutheran Church new addition.South Whidbey residents can get a glimpse of Freeland’s future by attending a meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.Nearly 17 months of work by the volunteer Freeland Subarea Planning Committee will be presented, including land use maps depicting how land in the area may be zoned in the future. It’s the core of what we’re about, said Steve Shapiro, committee member and one of the speakers at the meeting. His subject will be concepts of Freeland’s future.The nine committee members have received technical support from the Island County Planning Department during their months of meetings. They are planning that Freeland will grow as a higher density Urban Growth Area to comply with the state Growth Management Act.We have unanimity on the committee that we’re working toward a UGA, said Shapiro, noting that the GMA has resulted in reduced densities in rural Island County. If not, where is the growth going to go?Other presenters and their subjects:* Tom Roehl, committee chairman, welcome, agenda review, and description of the community’s existing and possible future water, sewer and surface water infrastructure.* Mike Shelton, Island County commissioner, introduction and the authority of the Freeland planning committee.* Jeff Tate, Island County planning staff member, presenting and explaining the land use designation maps.* Phil Bakke, Island County planning director, describing what a UGA is compared to a lower-density RAID (Rural Area of more Intense Development), or the possibility of unincorporated Freeland becoming a city.The meeting will conclude with questions and answers from the public in a session moderated by Roehl.Shapiro said the committee members are hoping for a large public turnout, although he noted this is the first of several public open houses to be held before the process is completed. My concern is that people will wait until the work is done and then say, ‘We don’t like it,’ he said.”