SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Langley council reversed an earlier downzoning decision, retaining RS7200 zoning on Edgecliff Drive after a divisive debate over housing affordability, environmental protection, and outgoing members’ final votes.
Kira Erickson
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: The Island County Commissioners extended a partially used grant to the Port of South Whidbey for a fairgrounds housing feasibility study but will let an older capital grant lapse amid funding gaps, management concerns, and unresolved zoning and partnership issues.
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: The Port of South Whidbey will raise Whidbey Island Fairgrounds commercial rents 10% on Jan. 1 to move below‑market rates toward parity; the fair association’s lease is still pending.
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Langley enacted a six-month moratorium on most new development to implement a 15% inclusionary housing program, exempting 100% affordable projects while postponing broader “missing middle” housing changes.
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Langley’s council preliminarily approved downzoning Edgecliff Drive parcels to larger single-family lots to protect a vulnerable bluff, despite staff’s affordability concerns; the contentious decision awaits a final Dec. 15 vote.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Lone Lake suffers recurring toxic algal blooms from anatoxin-a and microcystin, and officials debate pursuing limited grant funding for an expensive, multi-year cleanup that may be hard to complete.
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: The Langley City Council split over Edgecliff Drive downzoning meant to protect a bluff and limit density, questioning its science and housing impacts, and ultimately postponed the decision.
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: The Langley City Council rejected raising the mayor’s pay at the cost of staff and council stipends, with Mayor Horstman insisting staff compensation takes priority until city finances improve.