Commission approves new home in Coupeville reserve after design review; neighbors raise septic and siting concerns

The Eby's Landing National Historical Reserve Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of application EBY25-042, a proposed roughly 2,600-square-foot single-family residence with attached two-car garage and accessory dwelling unit on a parcel accessed from Vine Street in Coupeville. County staff described the project as sited in Review Area 1, using cement board-and-batten siding and dark, non-reflective asphalt shingles, and reported a measured 55-foot setback from the adjacent eastern property line.

Applicant Tony Sherman told the commission he grew up farming the parcel and plans to continue farming the usable acreage: “I grew up farming and would love to continue farming the usable acreage on it,” he said, adding that he will act as general contractor and that site offsets were established by a surveyor using concrete stakes. County staff and reserve planners said most existing trees on the parcel will be retained and that only limited clearing is expected for a driveway and septic reserve area. Staff noted unresolved coordination about the preferred driveway alignment with public works and planning, and said final septic and water approvals are subject to Health Department and building-review processes.

Neighbors who live near the proposed site urged the commission to consider environmental impacts and drainage before granting a certificate. Adjacent resident Jeff Howell said runoff already drains toward Bakerview and Penn Cove and warned that a septic field “absolutely drains into our neighborhood. It absolutely drains into Penn Cove.” Another adjacent resident, Adele Wolamaki, asked that the existing hedgerow be retained to soften the development’s appearance; the applicant and staff both said the hedgerow is intended to remain.

Commissioners discussed siting and massing: reserve staff praised the architectural fit but preferred relocating the driveway to a southern access to minimize farmland and open-space impacts. After discussion the commission determined the project complies with the Reserve design guidelines and moved to recommend approval based on the record, the staff report, and public testimony. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Danielle Bishop announced her recusal for the next agenda item and temporarily yielded duties to Vice Chair Marshall Bronson.

The commission’s approval is a recommendation for a Certificate of Appropriateness; final permitting for septic, wells, and other building approvals remains with the county building and health departments.