Commission conditions approval of barn near Santa Feuca Schoolhouse pending archaeological report

Commissioner Danielle Bishop opened the public hearing on file EBY25018 for construction of a new barn near the Santa Feuca Schoolhouse. Yumi Sridhar, Island County planner, described the project as a timber-framed barn approximately 46 by 48 feet with a peak height near 22 feet, board-and-batten siding, vinyl windows, fiberglass barn doors and composite roofing, sited a couple hundred feet behind the schoolhouse and screened by fir trees and a conservation covenant area.

Josh Chris, preservationist for the reserve, told the commission the proposal is “compatible with what we're looking at” but noted the site lies within an area with archaeological sensitivity. Chris recommended conditioning approval on receipt of an archaeological survey report and noted that report could require minor adjustments to the building location.

Nut graf: The commission voted unanimously to recommend a certificate of appropriateness for EBY25018 but attached a condition requiring an archaeological survey report to be submitted for building‑permit review because of known cultural-resource sensitivity near the parcel.

Staff said the parcel is within Review Area 1 in the rural zone, lies outside shoreline jurisdiction but adjacent to a wetland, and includes a covenant that limits placement and height. Yumi Sridhar emphasized the barn is sited to avoid drawing visual attention away from the schoolhouse; photos and site views provided to the commission showed the barn set back and largely screened from major roads (State Route 20, Libby Road, Madrona Road).

Applicant and resident Rebecca Vakama, who lives at the schoolhouse, told the commission the schoolhouse sits on a fieldstone foundation and is significantly higher than the proposed barn site; she said she did not expect the barn to be taller than the schoolhouse. Vakama said the barn will serve woodworking and office needs and help with restoration projects at the schoolhouse.

Commissioner Marshall Bronson moved to recommend approval of the certificate of appropriateness, with the archaeological-report condition noted in staff analysis; Commissioner Sheila Saul seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: The commission's recommendation, including the archaeological survey condition, will be forwarded to the permit authority. Staff noted final siting could be adjusted based on the archaeology report prior to building-permit issuance.