Coupeville planning staff previews rewrite of historic-preservation rules for Ebey’s Landing reserve

Planning staff presented draft revisions to Coupeville’s historic-preservation code and design guidelines on July 15, telling the Planning Commission the changes aim to make project review more objective, predictable and easier to administer.

The draft updates would align a portion of the Town of Coupeville code (chapter 16.13) with parallel county language (chapter 17.04A) used in Island County for projects inside Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Planning staff said the revisions include clearer review-area maps, a four-level certificate-of-appropriateness system, and more explicit treatment of landscaping, significant trees and “demolition by neglect.”

Why it matters: Coupeville’s historic resources are regulated under multiple jurisdictions — town, county and the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve — so staff said the town needs clearer, more predictable rules so property owners and review bodies reach consistent outcomes.

Planning staff said the updated framework groups projects by activity and place. Staff described three review areas (VRA 1, 2 and 3)…