PORT TOWNSEND — Residents crowded the City Council’s chambers on Monday night to urge against the surplus sale of 1.4 acres of city property east of Walker Street and the city golf course, and adjacent to Grace Lutheran Church.
Upon Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval’s motion, the council directed city staff to review the residential-zoned property’s title and determine if only part of the property could be sold.
City Manager David Timmons said beginning the process of surplussing the property came at the recommendation of the city’s Golf Course Task Force, members of which hope land sale proceeds will fund golf course improvements.
“We need a lot more due diligence before we engage in this,” Timmons said.
An appraisal of the land’s value and a title search would be part of that process, Timmons said.
The council’s direction came after many of the approximately 40 people attending the meeting raised concerns about the sale’s possible negative effect on their neighborhood.
Church officials concerned
Mark Dembro, Grace Lutheran Church president, said church officials are concerned about losing the church’s parking lot, which crosses city land off Walker Street.
“We’re not asking the city to give our church a special deal for our parking,” Dembro said, adding that the church is frequently used for community functions that involve youths and others.
Dembro said that the property, under city law, “is deeded for municipal purposes.”
He questioned if the sale to a private owner would constitute municipal purposes.
Timmons said that the largest effect if the land were sold would be to the church property, which includes a pastor’s house.