Oak Harbor adopts Waterfront Vision-to-Action plan, cites cleanup progress and long-term redevelopment steps

The Oak Harbor City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-23 on Sept. 16 to approve the Waterfront District Vision-to-Action planning document and commit to pursuing downtown redevelopment steps.

Public Works Director Steve Schueller summarized environmental and planning work at Pioneer Way catalytic sites. He said the city secured about $200,000 through the Washington State Department of Ecology for a brownfields feasibility/remedial study and about $100,000 in services from the Center for Creative Land Recycling and the U.S. EPA, with roughly 96% of the $300,000 effort grant-funded and only a 4% local match. Schueller said four rounds of groundwater sampling over the past year have shown concentrations below Model Toxics Control Act levels at the sites studied, reducing a major barrier to redevelopment.

Norman Wright, the consultant on outreach and the vision document, described robust public engagement (three workshops, a Chamber luncheon and broad community input) and a community preference for walkable streets, public plazas and a mixed-use waterfront that supports living, working and recreation. Wright said the plan focuses on near- and mid-term actions including zoning updates, placemaking investments and incentive programs meant to attract catalytic private investment and align policy with the vision.

Schueller outlined next steps: finalize the feasibility study and Ecology comments (expected by the end of the year or into 2026), issue RFPs for utility and transportation comprehensive plans (funded in the current biennium, estimated cost ~$930,000), and develop code updates and development offerings to attract private partners. He noted the state has provided early funding for design/permitting and that private developers have already begun informal discussions with development services staff.

Brad Glooth, a local property owner and project manager with Corridor Ventures, urged the city to engage property owners as stakeholders and to ensure any future code changes are feasible for developers, warning that mandatory requirements could make projects infeasible without incentives. Council members emphasized the plan is a starting point, not a mandate, and directed staff to continue community engagement and return with implementation steps through the planning commission and future council workshops.

The council voted to approve Resolution 25-23 (motion by Council member Romero, seconded by Council member Arms) with no recorded dissent. The plan moves the city into a multi-year program of code reviews, engineering work, incentive design and developer outreach; Schueller cautioned final construction of catalytic buildings is likely years away and would depend on market conditions and finance structures.

Action: Resolution 25-23 adopted unanimously. Staff to finalize Ecology feasibility feedback, issue RFPs for comprehensive utility/transportation plans, and continue public engagement and code work.