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Council authorizes grant applications for historic Chadwick House and Shaw Island conservation easement; sets EPF hearing for Shaw yard
Summary
The council authorized staff to apply for a $100,000 Washington State Historic Society grant to stabilize the Chadwick House on Lopez, and to seek $1,000,000 from RCO for a conservation easement on Shaw Island. The council also set a July 28 public hearing on siting a county operations yard (EPF) on Shaw Island.
San Juan County approved three land‑use and preservation steps on May 26: authorizing a grant application to stabilize the historic Chadwick House on Lopez Island, authorizing an RCO grant application to acquire a conservation easement on Shaw Island’s Picnic Point, and setting a public hearing for July 28 to consider a revised SEPA MDNS and the county’s request to site an essential public facility (county operations yard) on Shaw Island.
Chadwick House: Amanda Wheaton (speaker 11), Lopez Preserve steward, presented a priority stabilization scope developed with Historic Core (a nonprofit that trains volunteers in historic preservation). The $100,000 grant request would fund prioritized exterior stabilization work (foundations, siding, roofing and window repair). The council authorized submitting the grant application with the understanding additional funds will likely be required for long‑term restoration and maintenance.
Shaw Island conservation easement: Amanda described a proposed conservation easement on nearly 12 acres with roughly 2,500 feet of shoreline to protect old‑growth pockets and shoreline habitat. Staff will request $1,000,000 from the Recreation and Conservation Office; the project remains subject to an appraisal and the willing seller negotiations. Council authorized the application.
EPF hearing set: Public Works and the deputy prosecutor explained procedural steps for an essential public facility siting reconsideration: a revised SEPA MDNS was issued by the hearing examiner and a new 45‑day public notice window is required. Council set a public hearing for July 28, 2026, at 9:15 a.m. to consider the MDNS and site designation; at that hearing the council may approve the applicant’s recommended site or designate an alternate site.
Why it matters: The approvals protect historic and habitat values and push forward a contentious siting process for a county facility on Shaw Island with additional procedural review required by SEPA and council action.
