A recently established community land trust has set its sights on acquiring the land for a proposed housing development, pending approval of the application by the city of Langley.
Called Home on Whidbey, the nonprofit organization’s goal is to create permanently affordable homes for island residents by purchasing land and removing it from the speculative real estate market. A combination of philanthropic and public subsidies will make home ownership possible for those of modest means.
The nascent community land trust has found its first project in the Coles Valley Planned Unit Development, or PUD for short. The property owner, South Whidbey LLC, has agreed to sell the 40-acre parcel off Coles Road for $1.6 million to Home on Whidbey, according to a press release. The purchase agreement, however, is contingent on the approval of the PUD permitting by Langley’s planning department.
The original application was submitted to the city in August 2022 and deemed incomplete in September 2022. An updated application was submitted June 14, but a second notice of incompleteness was issued June 28.
Langley Director of Community Planning Meredith Penny explained that if the application is ultimately approved, then the project proponents can move forward with Phase I, which would include clearing, grading and the construction of roadways, utilities or other infrastructure. Construction of any buildings would fall under subsequent phases and require the submission and issuance of a Type II Site Plan Review and building permits.
As part of the project, the city has required that 30% of the homes must be affordable. Neal Collins, a board member for Home on Whidbey, said it’s possible that the nonprofit housing organization could exceed that 30% threshold, depending on economic factors. The PUD application lists capacity for 133 dwelling units on the property, a number that has drawn apprehension from the Langley City Council in the past.
“In a place like Whidbey Island, it’s just so unattainable for so many people to get housing that this really feels like a good opportunity for the organization to step up and acquire the project on Coles Road and see if we can rally support from the community to actually do that,” Collins said.
Home on Whidbey is hoping that the community-based approach to development appeals to South Whidbey residents. Members make a yearly contribution as low as $25 and in turn have a choice in who gets elected to the organization’s board of directors.
Home on Whidbey plans to host several workshops over the coming months to gather feedback on the Coles Valley project, with the first at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 at the Soundview Center in Langley.
For more information, visit homeonwhidbey.org.
