LETTER: Clarifying Land Trust’s involvement in housing in Port Townsend

Posted

I’d like to correct a statement made in the June 7 edition of The Leader regarding Jefferson Land Trust’s role in affordable housing, as it is causing confusion.

The mission of the Land Trust is focused on protecting farmland, forestland and wildlife habitat. Affordable housing, while definitely a need in this community, is outside the scope of this mission.

That said, we do believe land can help solve problems and meet community needs.

In its work to ensure a viable future for local farms, the Land Trust has been involved in conversations to assess the possibility of helping provide affordable farmworker housing on our “Chimacum Commons” property near the Chimacum crossroads, while preserving the majority of the property as undeveloped farmland.

This collaborative process is still underway as our board performs its due diligence to determine whether there is the potential to work with partners to protect farmland and provide housing on this property.

We don’t know the answer, and we’re still mapping the way. At this point, the Chimacum Commons site is not prepared to receive any of the houses proposed to be moved from Port Angeles.

While the Land Trust has been looking at the possibilities at this particular property, I personally have offered my time and expertise to the efforts to provide affordable housing options to this county.

My involvement in this regard is as a private citizen and a member of this community, and not through my role as executive director of the Land Trust.

I hope this removes the confusion about Jefferson Land Trust’s involvement in affordable housing.

RICHARD TUCKER

Port Townsend