Decatur Island residents split after public meeting over possible county purchase of Davis Bay property

DECATUR ISLAND, Wash. — A public meeting and subsequent council discussion revealed deep divisions on Decatur Island over a potential county acquisition of the Davis Bay waterfront property, with supporters highlighting long-term public access and opponents citing flooding, habitat and cost concerns. The county is in an appraisal and feasibility review period that ends Aug. 29 under a purchase-and-sale agreement; the council must decide whether to move forward by Sept. 30. Public works staff posted maps, inspection reports and the draft purchase-and-sale agreement online and held a meeting on Aug. 12 attended by roughly 30 people. Why it matters: The property would affect access, parking and shoreline use on a small island community. Residents at the meeting urged different approaches — preserve the site, negotiate boundary-line adjustments with neighboring owners, or pursue alternative investments such as road improvements. Public commenters described wildlife values and tidal flooding at the site. In public comment to the council on Aug. 19, George Lam said the site floods roughly every three years and is “one of the most significant wetlands on Decatur,” noting swallows, red-winged blackbirds and geese using the area. At the Aug. 12 meeting, neighbors questioned whether the county’s acquisition would make boat landings or a dock more likely and how that would affect adjacent houses. Council members asked staff for follow-up. Council member Paulson said the county should hold a Decatur meeting (scheduled for Sept. 9) for island residents to comment in their community; staff said the county will add a transportation-improvement project for Davis Bay Beach Road to its capital priority list. Council members also asked for more information on legal title, right-of-way options and how a purchase would relate to other island needs. Public feedback since the meeting included a petition opposing purchase, with petitioners citing cost and preference for spending on roads and ditching. Staff noted that some neighbors supported the county acquiring the property to preserve stream and riparian areas and to avoid private development that could limit public access. What’s next: Staff said the appraisal and feasibility window closes Aug. 29; council decision authority under the purchase-and-sale agreement is set for Sept. 30. The council intends to hold the scheduled Sept. 9 community meeting on Decatur and to review a transportation-priority request for Davis Bay Beach Road during the upcoming Transportation Improvement Plan cycle. ","sections":{"lede":"DECATUR ISLAND, Wash. — A public meeting and subsequent council discussion revealed deep divisions on Decatur Island over a potential county acquisition of the Davis Bay waterfront property, with supporters highlighting long-term public access and opponents citing flooding, habitat and cost concerns.","nut_graf":"Why it matters: The property would affect access, parking and shoreline use on a small island community. Residents at the meeting urged different approaches — preserve the site, negotiate boundary-line adjustments with neighboring owners, or pursue alternative investments such as road improvements.","ending":"The county’s appraisal and feasibility review closes Aug. 29; council action is possible by Sept. 30. Staff will hold an on-island public meeting Sept. 9 and expects to bring a road-improvement request for Davis Bay Beach Road to the county’s Transportation Improvement Plan process."},