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Freeland resident urges Island County action over alleged unsafe occupancy at 1414 Castlewood Court
Summary
Howard Schneider told commissioners that a property at 1414 Castlewood Court has been occupied without a valid certificate of occupancy, lacks permanent utilities, and presents public-health and neighborhood-nuisance concerns; he asked the county to investigate enforcement steps and improve transparency.
Howard Schneider, a Freeland resident, told Island County commissioners during public comment that county planning has not responded to repeated requests to enforce code at 1414 Castlewood Court.
Schneider said the structure on the property remains incomplete despite an expired building permit in May 2022 and an extension that he said expired in May 2025. He described the occupant as living in the unfinished structure without a permanent or temporary certificate of occupancy, lacking permanent electrical systems and running temporary cords, and using a portable construction bathroom as the primary sanitary facility. Schneider said the situation presents public-health and safety risks and degrades neighborhood conditions.
He told the board he had met with the county administrator (03/18/2024), written to the board (01/07/2025), and presented the issue at a prior forum (05/13/2025) without receiving progress updates. Schneider called on the county to investigate the specific case, enforce applicable codes and ordinances, review the planning department's compliance practices, implement an accountability framework, and improve transparency with the public about compliance actions.
Chair acknowledged Schneider's concerns and said commissioners and staff may respond after the meeting; later in the session the board asked planning and public health to follow up with an update to the commissioners.
