PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend has assembled a nine-member steering committee that will help guide the planning process for Short’s Farm, the 253-acre property in Chimacum Valley the port purchased for $1.4 million in August.
The committee consists of six farmers selected by commissioners and three representatives from land use organizations selected by Executive Director Eron Berg. The committee will be assisted by Berg, the port’s Deputy Director Eric Toews, Erik Kingfisher, stewardship director of the Jefferson Land Trust, and Jefferson County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhower.
Faculty and master’s students in the University of Washington’s Department of Urban Design will also be involved in the planning process.
The committee is tasked with creating a plan for the development and use of the farm that expands and sustains agriculture in the county; improving the natural environment and habitat that supports fish and wildlife; following the port’s standard practice of a 9.5 percent return on investment; and adhering to all land use and regulatory guidelines.
On Jan. 17, all of the planning process participants will tour Short’s Farm. The public is invited to join them and a quorum of port commissioners is anticipated. A time for the tour is not yet set.
A community open house will be held in early spring, when the public can ask questions and provide feedback about the plan.
The committee will submit its preferred plan for Short’s Farm to commissioners at its July 10 meeting.
Short’s Farm Steering Committee Members
Farmer representatives:
• Janet Aubin (Chimacum)
• Martin Fredrickson (Nordland)
• Keith Kisler (Chimacum)
• Laura Llewellyn (Chimacum)
• Martin Mills (Nordland)
• David Seabrook (Chimacum)
Agency/nonprofit representatives:
• Kellie Henwood, Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative
• Al Latham, Jefferson Conservation District
• Rebecca Benjamin, North Olympic Salmon Coalition
________
Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
